[2] arry, ... why are you doing this?...

That seems to be the theme question of the week, "Arry, why.... why are you doing all this?"  Why... why... it's ingrained in my blood. I want to change the world - make it a better place for everyone.  I want hearts to feel, intentions to be good, good people to meet other good people, ...   Isn't it everyone's reason for doing what they do?  I'm literally sitting here after a three hour brainstorming and planning session for my next big event that's coming up this summer...  I am so so so excited to put this event together.  A lot of my close friends are worried - because I'm putting a big chunk of skin in the game for this...  But really, why?  I don't know... or maybe I do.  It seems like a fun thing to do...  Well, why comes down to these three core values:

1. Selfless Service:
At an early age, my mother had me playing the piano and violin for the elderly and church every weekend.  Sometimes I wanted to sleep, go out and play instead...  She said if you've got a gift, it's your duty to share it with others.  And really, being able to touch the hearts of the forgotten elderly left in nursing homes ... that was a gift all in its own.  I get a high when I meet hearts-of-gold.  I'm touched to the core when I see selfless acts of love like a father spending time with his child and when a person gives "just because". 

2. Connecting Hearts:
Here's a memory I can share with you.  In college, I became really excited about the cause around multicultural-diversity and acceptance.  There was one evening where I was being a bookworm at our local Barnes and Noble when I was home in upstate NY for the Christmas holidays - and I heard this really cool folksy-hip chick (who was from Seattle!!!) playing the guitar singing in the cafe.  I thought... wow: MUSIC... music is a common language that everyone understands.  ...  I found a way to raise money through the Cornell Student Affairs office and  Office of Minority Affairs to bring the Seattle folk chick to Ithaca- and put on a concert for all the students.  The concert provided a forum for people from all walks of life, of different colors and cultures, to sit together, listen to music and share the experience.  The event didn't make any money.  Anyways... Music is one of my first loves...  it's the language of the heart.  I saw it work then in connecting hearts... and I hope to see it work again this June...

3. Servant Leadership:
At the end of it all, it's about servant leadership - where giving is from the heart, and not about the ego.  Leading in a way that makes human sense for the greater good.  For those that are also engaged with community and nonprofits, you know that to really give back, you have to walk into that community/nonprofit with an open heart and mind; the ego is nowhere to be seen, the badges/diplomas/age/gender/...  all those ego-related "things" have to be left behind when you enter the world of Giving.  I heard a slightly funny story about an extremely intelligent, smart, wildly successful man who walked into a community organization with the intention of volunteering and giving back.  The intent was good - points there.  He was assigned the lowly position of filing papers for his first "project" - and he was shocked.  He couldn't do it.  In the world of giving, you have to think with human-sense - you have to get to know the organization, the people and earn the right/trust of the people.  Ego has no place in giving.

Reminds me of what my mom said a bunch of times to me growing up that you may have heard me say - and it really rang a bell in my heart.  Arry... no matter how rich you may be, how smart you are, how successful...  it'll never bring you love/peace if you have neighbors that are suffering.  (Of course, she said this in Korean... but you get the gist).  ... 

And hey... isn't this what love is about?  Love is selfless, accepting, and giving. 

Hugs,
Arry

[1]... we all want to love, to be loved, right?

I had two conversations on the topic of love today (what a surprise) that left some marks on my heart.  My day is over and I'm feeling a little somber, tired...  ... just tired.  Why are we so cynical when it comes to love?  Why do we make it so hard for each other?

Couple snapshots from the conversations:

1. Man has to be honorable, respectable, respectful (on the inside!) for a woman to respectfully follow him.  It's not about the money, the car... work on your "insides" too.  My friend and I talked about how as a society, we've hit "gender neutrality" = wimpy men, alpha women.  I swear by this, and I'll repeat it over and over again - Man must treasure his woman, woman must respect her man.  We've lost that precious balance between man and woman.  Step it up and own it (men).  Relax, let go, it's ok to be feminine (women).
2. Come on girls... if you're living with him, over the age of 25, and it's been years... walk away.  He doesn't know or is too damn wimpy to end it himself.  When you talk to a guy and he's contemplating proposing to his girlfriend - and he's not-so-excited, thinking about waiting it out a little longer to see if there's something wrong with her, ...  I just don't know.  The romantic in me is crying, screaming for mercy.  I'm sad...  I hope he lets go of his fear and takes a leap.  Love has to be fearless sometimes.
3. There's hope in this world when our family friend who is the most determined to never get married finally says something like, "I think I've found a girl I want to be with - and no one else".  Who hooo!!!  Love is so much better that way - meaningful, committed, ... intentional love. 

Good night,
Arry