My eyes have been tearing the past 20 minutes watching Myra Spence's documentary ( video.google.com/videoplay ) sharing the unreal mess that St Bernard Parish became after hurricane Katrina. We lived this entire experience together with residents for nine months after the storm. I knew most of the people in the film personally.
It is so far away from where I am now in Mazatlan, Mexico, at work in the office of the director of tourism development for the State of Sinaloa and staying in a sweet hotel on the beach; I had forgotten about the people of St. Bernard.
It is so easy to be in my own world, and not think about or feel what is going on in the big picture. People are starving to death. Bombs are falling from the sky. Many are wage-slaves trading their lives for pennies with little sense of freedom. Even people I live with in Roblito often go days without clean water.
Last night, as massive fireworks were blasting over the ocean outside my hotel window, I was on the phone with Doug Cohen (uspartnership.org) in New Jersey. He told me about a world youth conference currently happening in Atlanta, where he learned that there is more poverty on the planet now than ever before, but not because there are not resources, but because the distribution of wealth is unbalanced among nations and individuals.
Watching the St. Bernard Parish documentary reaffirmed the realization that we can't depend on governments, nor should we look to economics to solve humanity's problems. It comes down to people helping people. Nature doesn't see imaginary lines that governments draw to separate people.... why should we? The US government's response after Katrina was to send men with guns, and then flooding victims with endless, confusing paper work. I witnessed the US federal government valuing assets over people. What really made a difference was the grassroots movement of regular folks that offered brains, blood, sweat and tears.
Wealth only achieves meaning when it is shared. It is energy like any other; if it is dammed up and horded, it stagnates and becomes useless. We are all wealthier when we share. With all our destines intertwine, and each life a blink in the eye of infinity, how can we not think beyond ourselves to the health of the planet and future generations? Our well-being is contingent on others.
The most important thing is to not give up! Shine your light and do what you can... no matter what they say on TV about how bad things are, who has the power, or how you should look to have self-respect. Listen to your inner voice. Do you hear it.... your calling? Do not be afraid to live your dreams. You are all that and more! You can do amazing things... more than you know.
Daily I am inspired by people I have met along the path, each doing the Good Work in their own way. These are some of the brightest stars I have collaborated with and am privilaged to know as friends:
Sobey (people.tribe.net/sobey), Pope of YES (people.tribe.net/popeofyes), Slim Chance (people.tribe.net/dc4746a4-...e4416626), Adam Apollo (people.tribe.net/adamapollo), Aurora Matahari (people.tribe.net/mati), Dominic (people.tribe.net/selfexistingmoon), Kachina Katrina (people.tribe.net/kachinakatrina), Scott (people.tribe.net/planttrees), Scott (people.tribe.net/scottlevkoff), Alan Moore (people.tribe.net/bflyspirit), SixthSense (people.tribe.net/sixthsense), Caroleeena (people.tribe.net/33e2091d-...dd1f5227), Chris Hill (people.tribe.net/e0b6663e-...c9b32805), ZDawg (people.tribe.net/bleuresonantmanu), Blue Cobalt (people.tribe.net/bluecobalt), Red Barron (people.tribe.net/c910e3b4-...b66ab751), David (people.tribe.net/db8f38c4-...f7d0e800d) Craig Ragland (people.tribe.net/craigragland), Darlene Loyd (people.tribe.net/84a445dd-...443a1443), Nynke (people.tribe.net/nynke), Myra Spence (people.tribe.net/2d6401c1-...1278266c), Neith (people.tribe.net/weaver), Kerul ( people.tribe.net/kerul), Stas Rutkowski (people.tribe.net/stas_rutkowski), Captain Sweep (people.tribe.net/captainsweep), Toxic Reverend (people.tribe.net/toxicreverend), Tobias (people.tribe.net/f9b83448-...ec1ee5e2), Tyler Hanson (people.tribe.net/bobhope), Beth (people.tribe.net/betha), Brenda (people.tribe.net/d4b8e0d1-...fd318990), Drew (people.tribe.net/drewm), Aurora (people.tribe.net/transcendance), Fuzzy (people.tribe.net/fuzzmeister), Evonne (people.tribe.net/evonne), Nature (people.tribe.net/nateure), Jillian Love (people.tribe.net/cff3899c-...349852e0), Iray (people.tribe.net/8058bafc-...1628eeaa), Kassandra (people.tribe.net/kassandra) ...and so many more I don't have time to mention now, and millions more I look forward to know.
Last night, Doug told me about the International Institute for Peace Through Tourism, and set up a three way call right then, so I could introduce myself to the organization's youth branch, Nishit from Tanzania. With this technology, we are like the action heroes in the movies, flying in spaceships around the planet, capturing moments in digital time-machines, and using little personal communicator devices connected to the entire collective brain. It is bringing us closer together and there are endless opportunities to explore other worlds.
May 20-25th in Kampala, Uganda the IIPT is holding the African Conference on Peace Through Tourism and I am planning to attend. It is in harmony with the work I am doing here in Mexico, and I am now seeking sponsorship.
Conference Goals:
Develop public and government appreciation of the central role of tourism in sustainable wealth creation, cultural enrichment, and preservation of biodiversity on the African Continent;
Enhance international public appreciation of Africa’s positive attributes including its rich mosaic of peoples, cultures, and biodiversity;
Identify and develop strategies for expanding market opportunities in Asia, Europe, North America, and domestic markets, and continue building “Bridges of Tourism, Friendship and Collaboration” between Africa and other regions of the world;
Encourage and facilitate collaborative public – private sector – donor – NGO and civil society strategies for new product development; and
Foster initiatives that contribute to reconciliation, peace and sustainable wealth creation in regions that have experienced conflict.
This is the site: www.iipt.org/conference/...07/index.htm
While talking on the phone with Doug, Fernando Haro, the state of Sinaloa director of Tourism development, walked into my hotel room to introduce his cousin. I couldn't talk to them, because it was important that I finish with Doug, but in that moment I realized that all my wildest dreams have come true, and I can attend this conference in Africa.
Currently I am developing a non-profit family camp in Roblito, to be funded by an eco-tourism busy-ness called New Indigenous (www.vivesinaloa.com/kiosko_t...uipal.htm ) and possibly assisted by Wireless Reach (www.wirelessreach.com).
In Roblito, we have begun a plastic and glass collection project to reuse soda bottles and jars that would otherwise be burned and broken in random piles all over town, which is very dangerous as everyone walks in bare feet. Plastic soda bottles are being made into a huge raft for kids to play on in the estuary or on land as a beanbag chair. Glass bottles will be reused for food and water, or as building materials. We are seeking a filtration system to make well water safe for drinking, and then freely provided it to the community in reused containers.
Other projects include a tool library, computer lab and museum. All of these projects can be models for surrounding villages or any place in the world. Roblito's massive shell mounds and artifacts found within tell the story of a highly intelligent civilization who lived 5000 years ago. It is hard to imagine what our world is going to look like even 50 years from now. Some think much of humanity will not last that long. I believe we all have the chance to make our world what it is... and will become.
Roblito could be any little rural town. I return because of the many beautiful relationships I've developed, the sense of place where I can be useful, the sense of community where everyone works and plays together, and the peace I find there is precious - even with their traditional Banda music cranked-up loud, filling the village with what sounds like a mix of German umpa and crying cowboy. There is something unfortunately rare; if there is huge economic crash, Roblito will feel it the least, and life will go on as it does in the flow of natural systems.
My work with the Sinaloa Secretary of tourism (www.vivesinaloa.com) includes developing camping areas and a bicycle trail system connecting rural villages, cities and natural wonders, as well as attracting visitors to explore all that Sinaloa has to offer. My motivation behind this to provide employment opportunities for a large number of rural Mexicans, so they will not need to move away from their roots and loose their culture to make a living. This way, their heritage is celebrated and natural assets appreciated. In this age of oil depletion, bike routes and camping areas are needed to support growing populations.
In addition to assisting Mexicans and foreigners travel within Mexico, my goal is to help Mexicans travel outside Mexico. Many families are kept apart by borders and regulations. A member of the family I live with in Palmillas ask for my help in crossing the border to visit family in Los Angeles. He had $3000 in his bank account and I provided him with my friend Beth's name and address in San Francisco(she had visited his family in Palmillas). He still was not allowed across the border. Rodrigo, who worked with me in Roblito to fix the playground, has a wife and child in Canada, but was forced to leave the country because of trouble with paperwork. People lives are carelessly being limited or ruined... for what? A new Berlin Wall is being built. Where is the outrage? After my hurricane relief work I was told not to return to the USA for five years, because customs would not believe that I could live and work freely. Freedom, it seems, is not welcome in a world controlled by capitalism. My gift to humanity is to share my passion for exploration and enable others to travel as I have so freely.
Journals and links to images sharing the Roblito project and whatever else I am doing or thinking can be found through tribe.net people.tribe.net/solomax or Facebook.com www.facebook.com/profile.php . These online networks are very useful for maintaining relationships, making new friends and sharing info/resources... which is a huge part of the solution toward building strong local communities and creating collective consciousness.
New digital capsules in the time machine...
The Roblito playground rehab project: actionhero.smugmug.com/galler...3270515
Tourism development with Francisco and Fernando in Chametla: actionhero.smugmug.com/galler...3592264
Field trips around Mazatlan: actionhero.smugmug.com/galler...0031633
Oscar Guzon, a whale researcher here in Mazatlan, told me, "To help the world, you need the help of the world." I am seeking support from all areas, including business and government, but most important to propelling my spirit is the grassroots support that comes from family and friends who know my work and give what they can.
Contributions can be made through the PayPal link at www.actionheronetwork.net or by making a check payable to: "IHC/Action Hero Network"
Mail to:
International Humanities Center
P.O. Box 923
Malibu, CA 90265
Connect with the Action Hero Network and share your missions / quest-yee-ons at actionhero.tribe.net or www.facebook.com/group.php
Lots of love to everyone!
In partnership,
Cory Richardson
It is so far away from where I am now in Mazatlan, Mexico, at work in the office of the director of tourism development for the State of Sinaloa and staying in a sweet hotel on the beach; I had forgotten about the people of St. Bernard.
It is so easy to be in my own world, and not think about or feel what is going on in the big picture. People are starving to death. Bombs are falling from the sky. Many are wage-slaves trading their lives for pennies with little sense of freedom. Even people I live with in Roblito often go days without clean water.
Last night, as massive fireworks were blasting over the ocean outside my hotel window, I was on the phone with Doug Cohen (uspartnership.org) in New Jersey. He told me about a world youth conference currently happening in Atlanta, where he learned that there is more poverty on the planet now than ever before, but not because there are not resources, but because the distribution of wealth is unbalanced among nations and individuals.
Watching the St. Bernard Parish documentary reaffirmed the realization that we can't depend on governments, nor should we look to economics to solve humanity's problems. It comes down to people helping people. Nature doesn't see imaginary lines that governments draw to separate people.... why should we? The US government's response after Katrina was to send men with guns, and then flooding victims with endless, confusing paper work. I witnessed the US federal government valuing assets over people. What really made a difference was the grassroots movement of regular folks that offered brains, blood, sweat and tears.
Wealth only achieves meaning when it is shared. It is energy like any other; if it is dammed up and horded, it stagnates and becomes useless. We are all wealthier when we share. With all our destines intertwine, and each life a blink in the eye of infinity, how can we not think beyond ourselves to the health of the planet and future generations? Our well-being is contingent on others.
The most important thing is to not give up! Shine your light and do what you can... no matter what they say on TV about how bad things are, who has the power, or how you should look to have self-respect. Listen to your inner voice. Do you hear it.... your calling? Do not be afraid to live your dreams. You are all that and more! You can do amazing things... more than you know.
Daily I am inspired by people I have met along the path, each doing the Good Work in their own way. These are some of the brightest stars I have collaborated with and am privilaged to know as friends:
Sobey (people.tribe.net/sobey), Pope of YES (people.tribe.net/popeofyes), Slim Chance (people.tribe.net/dc4746a4-...e4416626), Adam Apollo (people.tribe.net/adamapollo), Aurora Matahari (people.tribe.net/mati), Dominic (people.tribe.net/selfexistingmoon), Kachina Katrina (people.tribe.net/kachinakatrina), Scott (people.tribe.net/planttrees), Scott (people.tribe.net/scottlevkoff), Alan Moore (people.tribe.net/bflyspirit), SixthSense (people.tribe.net/sixthsense), Caroleeena (people.tribe.net/33e2091d-...dd1f5227), Chris Hill (people.tribe.net/e0b6663e-...c9b32805), ZDawg (people.tribe.net/bleuresonantmanu), Blue Cobalt (people.tribe.net/bluecobalt), Red Barron (people.tribe.net/c910e3b4-...b66ab751), David (people.tribe.net/db8f38c4-...f7d0e800d) Craig Ragland (people.tribe.net/craigragland), Darlene Loyd (people.tribe.net/84a445dd-...443a1443), Nynke (people.tribe.net/nynke), Myra Spence (people.tribe.net/2d6401c1-...1278266c), Neith (people.tribe.net/weaver), Kerul ( people.tribe.net/kerul), Stas Rutkowski (people.tribe.net/stas_rutkowski), Captain Sweep (people.tribe.net/captainsweep), Toxic Reverend (people.tribe.net/toxicreverend), Tobias (people.tribe.net/f9b83448-...ec1ee5e2), Tyler Hanson (people.tribe.net/bobhope), Beth (people.tribe.net/betha), Brenda (people.tribe.net/d4b8e0d1-...fd318990), Drew (people.tribe.net/drewm), Aurora (people.tribe.net/transcendance), Fuzzy (people.tribe.net/fuzzmeister), Evonne (people.tribe.net/evonne), Nature (people.tribe.net/nateure), Jillian Love (people.tribe.net/cff3899c-...349852e0), Iray (people.tribe.net/8058bafc-...1628eeaa), Kassandra (people.tribe.net/kassandra) ...and so many more I don't have time to mention now, and millions more I look forward to know.
Last night, Doug told me about the International Institute for Peace Through Tourism, and set up a three way call right then, so I could introduce myself to the organization's youth branch, Nishit from Tanzania. With this technology, we are like the action heroes in the movies, flying in spaceships around the planet, capturing moments in digital time-machines, and using little personal communicator devices connected to the entire collective brain. It is bringing us closer together and there are endless opportunities to explore other worlds.
May 20-25th in Kampala, Uganda the IIPT is holding the African Conference on Peace Through Tourism and I am planning to attend. It is in harmony with the work I am doing here in Mexico, and I am now seeking sponsorship.
Conference Goals:
Develop public and government appreciation of the central role of tourism in sustainable wealth creation, cultural enrichment, and preservation of biodiversity on the African Continent;
Enhance international public appreciation of Africa’s positive attributes including its rich mosaic of peoples, cultures, and biodiversity;
Identify and develop strategies for expanding market opportunities in Asia, Europe, North America, and domestic markets, and continue building “Bridges of Tourism, Friendship and Collaboration” between Africa and other regions of the world;
Encourage and facilitate collaborative public – private sector – donor – NGO and civil society strategies for new product development; and
Foster initiatives that contribute to reconciliation, peace and sustainable wealth creation in regions that have experienced conflict.
This is the site: www.iipt.org/conference/...07/index.htm
While talking on the phone with Doug, Fernando Haro, the state of Sinaloa director of Tourism development, walked into my hotel room to introduce his cousin. I couldn't talk to them, because it was important that I finish with Doug, but in that moment I realized that all my wildest dreams have come true, and I can attend this conference in Africa.
Currently I am developing a non-profit family camp in Roblito, to be funded by an eco-tourism busy-ness called New Indigenous (www.vivesinaloa.com/kiosko_t...uipal.htm ) and possibly assisted by Wireless Reach (www.wirelessreach.com).
In Roblito, we have begun a plastic and glass collection project to reuse soda bottles and jars that would otherwise be burned and broken in random piles all over town, which is very dangerous as everyone walks in bare feet. Plastic soda bottles are being made into a huge raft for kids to play on in the estuary or on land as a beanbag chair. Glass bottles will be reused for food and water, or as building materials. We are seeking a filtration system to make well water safe for drinking, and then freely provided it to the community in reused containers.
Other projects include a tool library, computer lab and museum. All of these projects can be models for surrounding villages or any place in the world. Roblito's massive shell mounds and artifacts found within tell the story of a highly intelligent civilization who lived 5000 years ago. It is hard to imagine what our world is going to look like even 50 years from now. Some think much of humanity will not last that long. I believe we all have the chance to make our world what it is... and will become.
Roblito could be any little rural town. I return because of the many beautiful relationships I've developed, the sense of place where I can be useful, the sense of community where everyone works and plays together, and the peace I find there is precious - even with their traditional Banda music cranked-up loud, filling the village with what sounds like a mix of German umpa and crying cowboy. There is something unfortunately rare; if there is huge economic crash, Roblito will feel it the least, and life will go on as it does in the flow of natural systems.
My work with the Sinaloa Secretary of tourism (www.vivesinaloa.com) includes developing camping areas and a bicycle trail system connecting rural villages, cities and natural wonders, as well as attracting visitors to explore all that Sinaloa has to offer. My motivation behind this to provide employment opportunities for a large number of rural Mexicans, so they will not need to move away from their roots and loose their culture to make a living. This way, their heritage is celebrated and natural assets appreciated. In this age of oil depletion, bike routes and camping areas are needed to support growing populations.
In addition to assisting Mexicans and foreigners travel within Mexico, my goal is to help Mexicans travel outside Mexico. Many families are kept apart by borders and regulations. A member of the family I live with in Palmillas ask for my help in crossing the border to visit family in Los Angeles. He had $3000 in his bank account and I provided him with my friend Beth's name and address in San Francisco(she had visited his family in Palmillas). He still was not allowed across the border. Rodrigo, who worked with me in Roblito to fix the playground, has a wife and child in Canada, but was forced to leave the country because of trouble with paperwork. People lives are carelessly being limited or ruined... for what? A new Berlin Wall is being built. Where is the outrage? After my hurricane relief work I was told not to return to the USA for five years, because customs would not believe that I could live and work freely. Freedom, it seems, is not welcome in a world controlled by capitalism. My gift to humanity is to share my passion for exploration and enable others to travel as I have so freely.
Journals and links to images sharing the Roblito project and whatever else I am doing or thinking can be found through tribe.net people.tribe.net/solomax or Facebook.com www.facebook.com/profile.php . These online networks are very useful for maintaining relationships, making new friends and sharing info/resources... which is a huge part of the solution toward building strong local communities and creating collective consciousness.
New digital capsules in the time machine...
The Roblito playground rehab project: actionhero.smugmug.com/galler...3270515
Tourism development with Francisco and Fernando in Chametla: actionhero.smugmug.com/galler...3592264
Field trips around Mazatlan: actionhero.smugmug.com/galler...0031633
Oscar Guzon, a whale researcher here in Mazatlan, told me, "To help the world, you need the help of the world." I am seeking support from all areas, including business and government, but most important to propelling my spirit is the grassroots support that comes from family and friends who know my work and give what they can.
Contributions can be made through the PayPal link at www.actionheronetwork.net or by making a check payable to: "IHC/Action Hero Network"
Mail to:
International Humanities Center
P.O. Box 923
Malibu, CA 90265
Connect with the Action Hero Network and share your missions / quest-yee-ons at actionhero.tribe.net or www.facebook.com/group.php
Lots of love to everyone!
In partnership,
Cory Richardson
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