Making a Difference - Meditation and Pizza

A community project which is very close to my heart is the Delft Big Band. I have previously written about the Magic in the Music and the group which went to Sweden last year to play at the World’s Children’s Prize for the Rights of the Child awards ceremony. Since then I have become more involved and we are in the process of formalising the band as a Public Benefit Organisation.

The view from the guest house far away from Delft

For a while I have been planning a team-building day. Most of the interaction that they engage in is during practice or when they are playing gigs. And so Project Me came into being, since the overall aim was for them to get to know themselves – their worries, fears and hopes - and in turn, for us to get to know each other a bit better. On Saturday we had the use of a guesthouse right on the beach – far away from the daily grind of Delft.

They arrived at the guest house eyes popping at “the mansion” and ready to explore. But first, work to be done...They started off a little hesitantly, all shy and giggly but soon warmed up and were sharing hopes and fears, what made them angry, and worries about their futures. We explored using art collages, trust exercises and played games. The poem Lost Generation, had them shaking their heads in agreement and in awe of how effective a mind shift could be.

Lunch was simple pizzas (we were having a braai later) then some more work. We ended the day with a meditation. I had distinct feeling that they were wondering what strange activities I would next be expecting from them as they lay down on the floor but soon everyone was passed out, mouths open, some snoring. Then it was time to chill - the beach beckoned, fires were made, there were marshmallows to toast, music to listen to...

On the evaluation form I got them to fill in, the best things about the day were meditation and pizza...Sometimes you have those days when life just makes sense and the simple things you do make such a difference to someone’s life that you are humbled. 

You may also like Magic in the Music 2 and Magic in  the Music for sure!

Lost Generation?

I came across this brilliant poem a little while ago. It was written by Jonathan Reed for a video competition where entrants had to describe their vision for their future. At first reading it is rather depressing:

Lost Generation by Jonathan Reed

I am part of a lost generation

and I refuse to believe that

I can change the world

I realize this may be a shock but

“Happiness comes from within.”

is a lie, and

“Money will make me happy.”

So in 30 years I will tell my children

they are not the most important thing in my life

My employer will know that

I have my priorities straight because

work

is more important than

family

I tell you this

Once upon a time

Families stayed together

but this will not be true in my era

This is a quick fix society

Experts tell me

30 years from now, I will be celebrating the 10th anniversary of my divorce

I do not concede that

I will live in a country of my own making

In the future

Environmental destruction will be the norm

No longer can it be said that

My peers and I care about this earth

It will be evident that

My generation is apathetic and lethargic

It is foolish to presume that

There is hope.

Now read it from the bottom up...and, voila!...a completely different perspective. Sometimes we just need to step out of the box and look at the situation from another angle. Tomorrow I am going to be running a workshop for a community youth project and I am going to read it to them. More of that later...