Commitment to Excellence

“Excellence can be obtained if you:
...care more than others think is wise;
...risk more than others think is safe;
...dream more than others think is practical;
...expect more than others think is possible.” - Unknown

It is possible that the basis of human nature is to find a level of happiness or satisfaction in life, and settle for that level, without ever seeking more, without realizing that life can offer us so much more if only we choose to look for it. Life chooses challenges for each of us, and it is up to us to accept these challenges or not to. Inspiration finds itself in the form of our dreams. We dream the dream impossible, of bright lights, fancy cars and big homes. Each one of us dreaming of a life beyond what we have accepted as the norm.

Thus it is equally inspiring to find those who dare to live the dream, those who challenge themselves, those who are continually raising the bar to higher levels, and wanting to live the impossible dream. It is in those dreams, in the efforts of those who live their dreams every day that can light a fire in even the most desperate of souls.

For the past five years my daughter has found herself associated with a commitment to excellence that is unsurpassed in dance anywhere in Bermuda. The National Dance Foundation has hosted in conjunction with American Ballet Theater a 3 week summer intensive, known as DanceBermuda. Local dancers being trained by world class professionals, dancing alongside world class dancers and living the dream. The experience has been so enriching that my wife and I have volunteered for the past 3 years as host chaperones for the foreign dancers who come to Bermuda to participate in this amazing experience.

Enough of the feel good story. Let's talk about the Bermudian dancers who are not getting this experience. Let's talk about the greedy local dance school owners who chose to not help their dancers live their dream. No other organization or school offers what DanceBermuda does and yet hundreds of our young dancers are not getting the experience because these schools are more interested in $$$$ than they are in getting their dancers world class training. I've walked this road before. Letters to the editor, public please for cooperation have not moved these people. Each year has seen the few local dancers who do participate form friendships, and more importantly develop their skills. Ask anyone who participates, it's the real deal.

So the Bermudian stubbornness prevails. Should we be surprised? Bermudians have a reluctance to accept new ideas, and even in youth development we seem so far behind. With escalated violence on our streets and more and more kids falling seemingly by the wayside, we need more programs such as DanceBermuda, to help our kids live their dreams.

Hope for the future.....

The men whom I have seen succeed best in life

always have been cheerful and hopeful men;

who went about their business with a smile on their faces;and took the changes and chances of this mortal life like men; facing rough and smooth alike as it came. - Charles Kingsley

With all credit to my religious friends, this window of opportunity called life really has to be utilized to the best of our ability. I'm not so sure about an after-life, and to that end it is probably a pretty safe bet that we have this one chance, this one opportunity to make a difference, and we shouldn't abuse it. Our hope for the future lies in our ability to make the world a little bit better than the one we were born into. So many things to do... so little time to do it. We gotta get the lead out.

In a post cold-war world, fear finds itself with many different faces. As our world grows increasingly smaller, more and more people become agitated over the lack of hope for the future. Visions come and go, people are forced to change, adapt or suffer the consequences. My dad, a product of what may be called "the old school" has taken to this change like a pig with wings. Uncomfortable to say the least. In his professional life he was a photographer, and has done some amazing work. Two years ago he went on a trans-atlantic cruise, and as usual, took his professional camera equipment with him. His many rolls of film included. You can see where this is going. By port number 2 he had used all of his film and was left pondering what he would be able to do for the rest of his trip.

I gave my dad my old computer and printer so that he could do simple things. It sat in his office with a towel over it until I finally gave up, took it from him and left him typing happily on his electric typewriter. "Less confusing..." he says. I should also qualify this by saying that he has never owned a pair of jeans, and until the past 10 years never had a pair of sneakers either. Old school. But there is hope for the future! About a month ago he came to me and asked about buying a digital camera that he'll take on his Alaska cruise next month. We did some research (ONLINE) and I brought one in for him... in under a week. I'm not sure if he's tried it out yet, he keeps saying that he's reading the instruction manual... (help!).

Now I'm sure that somehow my kids look at me a lot like I look at my dad, and when you see how our world has changed it is truly scary the things we have to be concerned about. As I noted, we are a much smaller world, traveling at speeds that are truly terrifying. We can truly ... hold on and enjoy the ride. In all of our amazing advancements, it will be so important for us to keep important things in focus, family, friends and our own well being.

It is equally frustrating that with so much hope for our future, we still struggle with the basic humanitarian struggles that have plagued us for generations. Issues of race, education, disease and poverty still are on the front burner. Why have we not come to terms with any of it? Why have we let these issues foster in our societies for so long? What are we teaching our kids? What is important? A cell-phone, or a starving child dying of AIDS in Africa? A video game system, or a book? Have we as parents failed in our mission to create a better world for our kids?

The answers are complex and a lot more challenging than figuring out the video game HALO 3. The social issues, like racism, will not go away unless we are willing to step forward as a community and embrace them as tightly we have done with our personal technology. Wouldn't it be nice if we could solve the racism issue as easy as it is purchasing an updated blackberry? What is truly important in our society? How do we "focus" in an ADD/ADHD world?

Where is our hope for the future?

I read the Royal Gazette. I don't read the Mid Ocean. There is only so much a man can take. I do read the more middle of the road Bermuda Sun, but I often wonder if they actually have any point of view at all. It's easy to see the enemy, all you really have to do is look. In the online community there are a lot of people who are making their points felt. Christian Dunleavy had Politics.bm, there was limeyinbermuda, both are defunct, and now the somewhat active Bermudasucks.com promote one way of thinking (regardless of what the sensible claim). These anti-government (or pro white-man) media formats in Bermuda serve the purpose for which they were created.

On the other side we have site such as Progressive Minds, Bermy Onion Patch and others that promote the flip side. This freedom of speech thing is a real pain in the butt. Listen to the beat of a drum for too long and you automatically move to that beat. I realize that it's a weird analogy, but it's the truth. We aren't alone in the world either. Media organizations are reknowned for making their point, whether that's the point you agree with or not, it doesn't matter. Someone out there reads, listens or watches this hype, and for the most part the followers believe it. Even respected news organizations such as the New York Times are seen as having a distinct point of view. The question is... who do you believe?

One benefit of living in a free world is that anyone and everyone has a right to express himself or herself without reprisal. The key to all of this freedom is not so much in what these people have to say, it's more the people who would blindly believe anything that is placed in front of them. Much like the bible-beating recruiters for god (or God) there are many different versions of the truth, pick one and believe. You can rest assured that if you look hard enough you'll find a view that you like and become a convert.

Be careful my friends. Freedom of speech is a path paved with perilous peaks. As fast as you find someone who agrees with you, you will find others that don't. In Bermuda we are either black or white as it simply doesn't pay to be "grey". Funny enough, in our society we have more than enough reasons to be "grey" but we simply fail to recognize it. What is increasingly difficult is the idea that our world, and more importantly, our island has allowed the propagandists to promote "hate" as a way of getting their message across. Dangerous times indeed.

Bermuda dreams...

Welcome to paradise. Pink sand beaches and a tropical climate, spectacular sunsets, crystal clear blue waters. life at 20 miles per hour. Dark "n" Stormy anyone? No? How about a Swizzle? The warm summer breezes leading to days languishing in the sun, evenings around the bar-b-que with a case of Heinekens on ice.

A picture postcard. A golfers dream, a fisherman's fantasy. It is all you can ask for. A perfect holiday for a perfect price. Less than 2 hours from most east coast airports. A honeymoon made in heaven. An anniversary to relight any fire. How sweet it is!

So why is this perfect little paradise such a hard sell? Why is our Tourism minister fighting to defend his decision to allow 4 Guantanamo "refugees" into the island as permanent Bermuda citizens? Surely that is the role for which the Tourism minister is getting paid.

Permit me a moment of utter frustration and aggravation. Ir is highly irritating to me to try and defend incompetence, so I won't bother. While I will admit to anyone who cares to ask that Bermuda is indeed another world, it still has a long way to go when it comes to matters of priorities and what's important. Why the hell are we fighting this fight right now? Where did this come from? Why is our leader kissing Chinese backside last year, only to accept fugitives from Chinese justice this year? Don't we have anything better to do? Isn't there some hard working over-paid penny pincher out there that we can't sell a vacation to? I'm sure we have enough swizzle mix.

When our leaders do something irresponsible and stupid, regardless of intent, it leaves us wanting, wondering and worrying. Dr. Brown, if you get a chance, check out the tourism numbers and figure out a way to get the afore-mentioned penny pincher to take a load off and pay us a visit. Do the job you're getting paid to do and leave the international screw-ups for those people who have a little more experience. In your moment of glory you have upset quite a few people, and your "this too shall pass" idea is pretty disheartening. Should we expect more brilliance from you in the future?

Let's hope not.

Viva la Revolution!!!

“To accomplish much you must first lose everything.” - Che Guavara

Where are all of the revolutionaries? Where are the people of passion, spirit, challengers to the throne? Why are we so lacking in those who would lead us, would inspire us to battle, where are the Ghandi's, King's, Guavara's and X's of today's world? Why are we so lacking the will to stand up and be counted?

Certainly there are battles to be fought. Most assuredly there are organizations dedicated to fighting the injustices all around the world, and for the most part these "fighters" are truly committed to their cause. Social activism is there for all who will heed the call, but are we so limited in our view of the world that we are unable to carry that same activism to actually make a difference.

It has become increasingly evident that in the comfort of our own little island the attitude of complacency is quickly changing. As our fearless leader continues to bungle his way along, there is a section of the public who are now willing to stand up and be counted. Unfortunately for them they are seen by those in power as disgruntled and sadly enough.... white. While Dr. Brown may not see this fight as an important one and in many areas of our society it is being ridiculed as racist vitriol, the fact remains, that there are a lot of pissed off people out there. If they happen to be white or black is of little consequence, what is missing is the link that would bring them together, and inspire others to speak out as well. Where is our Che Guavara?

For far too long our island has been divided by black and white. The feelings of the many now outweigh the few and what is left is a serious case of indigestion. Blacks who need to exorcise their ghosts and whites who refuse to accept any responsibility for the past. While this fight seemingly has no end, what is truly needed is the REVOLUTIONARY who will bind enough people together to truly find a happy middle ground. Until then we are subjected to an endless embarrassment of idealistic idiots who can not stop themselves. Our small community is burdened with sins from the past and the present and no one seems to be able to get their head out of their backside long enough to do anything about it.

Where is the reset button? Where is the revolution?

Let it happen now before we end up killing each other....

Thoughts....

Just thinking...

I'm back after yet my second amazing experience in a Tall Ships event here in Bermuda. In 2000 as a Senior Liaison Officer at the Hamilton Office, it truly was a once in a lifetime experience. This year, in the 400th birthday of our country, I was again involved in the Trans-Atlantic Challenge this time with the Tall Ship - Pride of Baltimore II... yet another amazing experience. It is truly an honor to be able to work alongside such a dedicated group of people. I have made some great friendships and hopefully will see them again real soon!

Our headlines are dedicated with our Premier's latest debacle. I wonder if he truly is the person he seems to be? I wonder if he needs to be as important as he thinks he should be? There never seems to be a period of time where he doesn't push the envelope just a little bit further. It's a risky proposition. Sooner or later the challenge will be bigger than just keeping his supporters happy. It truly becomes more and more difficult to understand his mission. His acts are senseless and have no direction. He breaks the law to suit his own agenda and now he endangers his own countrymen should they ever have to go to China. Don't think that Bermudians would "slip through" unnoticed should they land in Hong Kong for a business meeting. By holding Chinese fugitives, without support from Britain, we open up a diplomatic nightmare should one of our locals be spotted on the Chinese mainland. Never say never. If the Chinese government are that upset, our people could be held for an indeterminate amount of time, and I doubt highly HMS would do anything about it. I wonder what he will do next?

In an effort to shorten my musings, I ponder this last point. The latest Tall Ships event again shows the power of people. Bermudians far and wide came together and performed an admirable service when called upon. Our nature is a giving one. We seldom disappoint in times of need. It is truly a credit to all of us that we can cross the barriers that society constantly places in front of us. There is no doubt that we must continue to fight the injustices that plague our society, but there is no doubt that when we put our minds to it we can truly be great!

Role Models

Leaders are a dime a dozen. At some point we have given too much "power" to those who truly aren't worthy of it. One of my major problems in our society today is that we have too many damn leaders. We are a world of leaders and followers. Politicians, preachers, athletes, spokespersons of every sort, giving examples to our kids of how to live our lives. In an ADHD world we can pick choose and refuse the leaders and role models we want in our lives. Turn the channel... there's another one!!!

I will say this. Some potential role models have made it easy for us. Charles Barkley (former NBA suerstar) always said that he didn't want to be a role model for kids. Thanks Charles, you're not. Added to that list is reigning superstar Lebron James. His sulk act on the weekend, upon losing to the Orlando Magic, has ensured that even greatness has its limits. In a reprisal of Isaiah Thomas Pistons ducking out early when the Bulls had dethroned them back in 1990, the man-child Lebron took his toys and went home. No congrats, no good luck, just a sulk. You have made a serious error LBJ. Ask Michael.

So as with most athletes, celebrities and the like, it is best to admire them for their prowess and talent, but leave the hero worship alone. Our kids who idolize these arrogant and highly overpaid "stars" are learning nothing here. Failure to act properly will not grant you favour in the eyes of scrutinizing parents! We seek people with a bit more... substance (and not substance abuse AROD). In times where our kids are more involved and have more distractions, it is almost impossible to find someone who fits the ideal leader, someone we can comfortably call a role model.

Bermuda is awash in violence, gangs seeking vengeance against each other and now people are afraid, scared of what is happening behind our backs. What does our child think? Who do they admire? What should we do? Who is leading my child? We struggle to find answers. Teachers, politicians, church and social leaders are certainly attempting to do their part. With parents working longer hours to make ends meet, and the end of the school year approaching we will have more kids looking for leaders in all the wrong places. 

Let's back track two weeks. Let's look at the "gang-land" murders. The victim slain was 27 years old. This was no child. This was a man of age, who was seemingly involved in a gang. How many people that age are actually involved in gangs? Aren't these "men" supposed to be the ones our adolescent youth look up to? Who are the leaders? Who are the role models. Our society has a serious disconnect. Years of "peter pan" syndrome has run rampant in Bermuda. Boys afraid to grow up. Boys not becoming men. It is a serious disease... and the beat goes on.

For far too long we have sought to make leaders, role models out of people who have not asked for such a burden and as such we should not be giving it to them. Too many young men find themselves  victims of drugs, alcohol, and violence. Too many boys are having children. Unmarried and unemployed, they seek refuge on the streets and when the going gets tough... people die. 

So where are the leaders? Where are the role models? Who should our kids seek when the going gets tough? When do we accept that our system is broken, and God does not save lives at 2:45 on a Friday afternoon. It's time for a gut-check. It's time for a plan. We need to empower our youth to lead productive lives and show them that there are viable alternatives to the ways of the streets. It requires work, cooperation and patience.

Last but not least, this isn't a black problem or a white problem... its a Bermudian problem.