TIGblogs - Corey Norman's TIGBlog http://CoreyNorman.tigblog.org/ What's on the minds of young leaders from around the globe? en-us Thoughts on Leadership - Round 3 http://CoreyNorman.tigblog.org/post/462401 Teamwork and Geese:

As each goose flaps its wings, it creates an 'uplift' for the birds that follow. By flying in a "V" formation, the whole flock flies 71% farther than any single bird could fly on its own.

Lesson - Each member of the team benefits from the others' presence

When a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of flying alone. It quickly moves back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird immediately in front of it. When the lead bird tires, it rotates back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird immediately in front of it.

Lesson - It is important that the head of the team work as hard, or harder, than all the members of the team. This will provide an example of others to follow. And if that member of the team needs support or a "rest", then the other members of the team must be there to step into the leadership role.

The geese flying in formation honk to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.

Lesson - Constant support and encouragement are essential in helping the team feel a sense of togetherness.

If a goose gets sick, wounded, or shot down, two geese will drop out of formation and follow it down to help and protect it. They stay with it until it dies or is able to fly again. Then, they launch out with another formation or catch up with the flock.

Lesson - Any member of the team who has troubles should never be left to handle them on their own. Supporting team members during difficult times is critical in helping them overcome challenges

"When working as a team, everyone must fly together. Then you will ALL soar above the rest." - anon (if you know where this quote came from please let me know and I will site it accordingly)

Teamwork can often be the most trying and difficult part of our daily work. It is also the most rewarding. I think we often fail to recognize that our entire lives are a result of teamwork. None of us will attain our goals and achieve success without the support of a team. There is a myth that we can exist on our own. That we can survive without assistance and that individual success is individual. We are all a result of a team of people teaching us and imparting advice and knowledge. No man is an island, as the saying goes. Although we may face individual challenges and overcome obstacles on our own, to do so is not in isolation. We are equipped with the ability to do so by others.

What if instead of approaching our lives as if it is every person for themselves, we approached it as if everything is for each other? What if every day you woke up you attempted the day as if it was with everyone around you? In the developing world the expression is often used that "it takes a village to raise a child". We are all apart of this village, we are all a goose in the 'V'. Approach everyone you encounter, everyone you work with and alongside, as if they are your teammate. In each of these interactions you will make each other better for having done so. You will learn new things and teach others.

The world is a far more surmountable obstacle when we believe in one another, when we trust in one another. We are all a team and the minute you realize it will be the minute you become more than yourself. We can learn a lot from Geese, but especially that no one is greater than a team.]]> Sun, 24 Aug 2008 01:08:00 EDT http://CoreyNorman.tigblog.org/post/462401 43.6666667 -79.416666743.6666667-79.4166667 Blog Action Day 2008: Poverty http://CoreyNorman.tigblog.org/post/462403 Blog Action Day 2008 Poverty from Blog Action Day on Vimeo.

Very cool international call to action taking place October 15. Bloggers from around the world will unite to bring into focus Poverty as it affects us all. If you are a blogger then please take the opportunity to sign up your blog and join everyone in the discussion. This is the website for Blog Action Day. No matter what the topic of your blog is take this one day to let everyone know about Poverty and what they can do to help.]]> Sun, 24 Aug 2008 01:08:00 EDT http://CoreyNorman.tigblog.org/post/462403 43.6666667 -79.416666743.6666667-79.4166667 Inevitable Horizon http://CoreyNorman.tigblog.org/post/460249 The Beauty of Uganda.

Thoughts of the highest contemplation, emotions flowing with mountainous sensation,
Democratic intention, falling to the wayside at the onset of wars mention.
Bullets flying past baby's bottles,
the jarheads' adrenaline junkie fix at full throttle,
and all for resource gain,
for expanding the hegemonic geopolitical plane?
It's a measureless shame,
and it's all of humanity to blame.
Human rights violations at an all time peak,
so many silenced by force, with no voice to speak.
Liberties taken away with oppression as the beasts force,
a timeline of humanities history shows consistent remorse.
Each voice must be heard, for this world belongs to all,
Governments ears need to open, leaders listening to humanities call.
The golden age is nearing its long awaited appearance,
but in your own heart you must usher in its' clearance.
Must embrace the loving nature that humanity has always intended to live,
must open the gates to your heart and soul and continuously strive to give.
Give in any way possible, for the nature of giving multiplies,
paying it forward lifts the veil of illusion from our own eyes.
We are on a path that needs positive reinforcement,
one that embraces unified cooperative endorsement.
One that places idealism at the forefront of visionary progression,
one that acts on realism, leading to widespread positive succession.
Each positive action forming the foundation for the golden age,
Beauty growing out of scars, universal love taking center stage.
Keep hope at the forefront of your outlook and intention,
And a world of peace and prosperity will gain its' retention.
The stepping stones are being laid, the path is clearly paved,
The seeds of change have sprout, an action many have craved.
A new dawn is arising, the horizon of possibility is breaking,
Share of your heart, and take part in the World Peace staking.
Go now in peace and find yourself in a world positively evolving,
Spin your world of hope with others, and the reaction will continue revolving.
]]> Tue, 19 Aug 2008 04:08:00 EDT http://CoreyNorman.tigblog.org/post/460249 43.6666667 -79.416666743.6666667-79.4166667 Thoughts On Leadership - Round 2 http://CoreyNorman.tigblog.org/post/455971
About a month ago Time magazine released an article entitled, "The Secrets of Leadership: Eight lessons from one of history's icons" by Richard Stengel. The article was about Nelson Mandela and his experience with spending a good portion of his life in prison on Robben Island and his triumphant return to the presidency of South Africa and the dismantling of Apartheid. I am going to share these 8 secrets because I think they are essential for a leaders toolkit. As you also know, I think he is pretty darn awesome.

No 1.
Courage is not the absence of fear-it's inspiring others to move beyond it

No 2.
Lead from the front-but don't leave your base behind

No 3.
Lead from the back-and let others believe they are in front

No 4.
Know your enemy-and learn about his favorite sport

No 5.
Keep your friends close-and your rivals even closer

No 6.
Appearances matter-and remember to smile

No 7.
Nothing is black or white

No 8.
Quitting is leading too

The full article is available here on the Time website and it is worth a read.

Nelson Mandela is a man I admire a great deal and who's philosophy on leadership mirrors my own in many ways. It is important to find someone you look up to and who you can draw experience from, even if it is just from a book about them. Leading a group of people can, at times, feel like trial and error. Some things work and others will fail miserably. The important thing is to take these important lessons, in success and in failure, and learn from them. There are many people who have walked down the unbeaten path and blazed a trail. It does not mean that they didn't draw inspiration from another source, it just means the destination they reached was one that had been ignored by others. When you look back at the feats you accomplish and take a moment to admire where you came from and where you ended up, you may recognize the distance you have traveled, others will probably only see where you ended up.

Which brings me to one of my favorite quotes by Ralph Waldo Emerson.

"Life is a journey, not a destination."

Leadership, like life, is a journey. You will have some innate skills and others will be picked up along the way. Your philosophy on how to lead will be ever evolving. You do not need to have the answers now, nobody does, what you need is the courage to try. When you get where you wish to go the failures and bumps along the way will end up being the reason you got there. No one gets everything right all of the time, but that one magical moment, the only one people will recognize in the end, that will be part of your journey. No one remembers the failures Nelson Mandela was dealt, all they remember is the icon he became. You shouldn't be afraid of failure, or the difficult journey. If there is one thing we can all learn from Madiba it is that we are all capable of special things in our lives if we are willing to learn from our failures and accept the difficult journey on our way to success.]]> Fri, 15 Aug 2008 03:08:00 EDT http://CoreyNorman.tigblog.org/post/455971 43.6666667 -79.416666743.6666667-79.4166667 What Is Your Disposition http://CoreyNorman.tigblog.org/post/454545
I used to often find myself in a place in life where I didn't want to be, with no recollection of how I got there. I woke up each morning with a feeling of anxiety and no motivation to start the day. All I could do is force myself to move and go through the motions as if nothing was wrong. Sometimes that simple act was enough to change the course of my day, week, month, other times it only exacerbated the problem. I would go through my day wishing nothing more than for it to be over. I would day dream about what I could be doing with my time, what fun I could be having, what movie I could be curled up on the couch watching. I would lull myself into a state of pity and blame the world around me for the place I was in. Of course I wasn't going to take any responsibility for things, it couldn't be my own fault.

Then one day when I unexpectedly found myself examining and reflecting on who I was. I realized that it was indeed me who was digging myself into these ruts. I was dismayed with the world but I was passively participating in the process. I was reacting, not acting, and I was watching rather than playing. The world was doing its thing and I was acting powerless to interject. However, the world around me was of my own creation. I was choosing to view the world through pitiful, angry, depressed eyes. While I chose not to see it this way, it was only because I didn't know how to change things.

Then I learned the power of thinking positively about the world. I learned that I could create and live my disposition in a way that gave me power to enjoy life. To be happy could be of my own doing and not because someone handed it to me or because I bought it off the shelf. If you could, and you can, choose to live the life you want or the one that you have been dealt, what would you choose? You aren't a powerless person. If you find yourself in a place, doing or being someone you don't want to be then you can choose to be somewhere or someone else. If you think of yourself as an ever evolving painting, the painter is you. You get to choose what to portray, the colors you want to use, the angle of the brush. If you can wrap your head around this simple, yet extremely difficult, idea, then you can immediately make an impact on the world around you.

We can all choose to see what is wrong in the world or we can choose to see what is right and what is possible. We can react or we can act. What disposition will you choose today?]]> Wed, 13 Aug 2008 05:08:00 EDT http://CoreyNorman.tigblog.org/post/454545 43.6666667 -79.416666743.6666667-79.4166667 The Beauty of Life http://CoreyNorman.tigblog.org/post/453875 Seeds of Hope Uganda.

The Beauty of Life

My heart feels like an open canvas, letting the random strokes and colours of life paint the canvas as it progresses, each day revealing a little bit more vibrancy and detail to the larger picture of life. Each stroke coming with a different purpose, some much deeper and darker, representing the subtle hardships that we go through on a day to day basis, and other lighter strokes, rich in wholesome colour signifying the onset of a lesson learned or a passionate truth discovered, or the depth of having an engaging, somewhat enlightening conversation with a fellow human being. This canvas is endless, continuously evolving, and forever becoming more and more beautiful as we sail ourselves down the river of life.

A river greatly represents oneself, and ones path here on Earth. A river is formless, moving in one general direction, but able to branch off into streams and tributaries, each lending itself to new directions, new possibilities, unbounded and undiscovered territory where ANYTHING is possible. This shapeless, formless, open-directional reality is what makes living so amazing. It's what makes this very moment in time so special. I am now discovering that when we place a dam on our life, a point in the river where we harbour future directions from freely developing, we find ourselves in a state of stillness, of motionless life, where the amazement of the world becomes ordinary, where excitement turns to drab, where ones ability to look outside oneself becomes crippled. I am excited to break free of my subconscious dams that have kept me in a state of clingy comfort, and to go boundless into the open, hoping that my river leads me to the vast depths of the limitless ocean of life and the universe beyond.

As I sit here, sniffling away my flu, chugging back copious amounts of cough syrup, bails of Kleenex stretching the landscape of my room, I pause in great thanks for the world around us. The intricacy of life is mind boggling. Take a moment to look inside yourself, look around the room where you currently are, peer outside a window, take a long heartfelt gander at the world in your presence. Think just how intricate, detailed and in clockwork everything is. It is a constant wonder how any of this is possible. How humanity has come so far in innovation that I can sit here in Africa with my thoughts, and relate them to the rest of the world with a click of a button. It is an ever fascinating time to be alive and an extremely significant time to take what we have been given and truly shape ourselves and the world around us into the most caring, collaborative, humble place we can create.

Random Thought!!!!
I was thinking that what we truly believe is the world that is shaped in reality. It has been said by Darwin that the survival of the fittest is the reality of nature and is inherent in all aspects of life. This universally shared notion of reality maintains us being pegged against one another, lacking a sense of cooperative sharing on a universal scale. Humanity is constantly plagued by unending self interest, by a burning desire to benefit oneself over the needs of all those around us. Is this inherent, or has this become reality because of a universally share notion that we have all come to accept? What would the world be like if we all stepped back and gave collaboration, cooperation and sharing a chance. A place where we consistently step outside ourselves and into the lives and needs of others. People may say, "then my own needs wont be met". But if we were all reaching out to one another, other peoples kind efforts would be meeting our relative needs. It is also important for us to define need in this case. Do we really need all the false illusions that championed marketing campaigns tell us we need to live life? How often do you see people slaving away to make a top notch income, so that they can go buy things that they don't need in the first place. Does it bring happiness, fulfilment, a greater sense of meaning? We are all part of this vicious cycle, and it is deeply engrained in our minds. No doubt the world would become a brighter place if we rebuilt communities in our midst, placed focus on sharing with one another rather then the fear that has been fabricated to separate us apart. People may say this is extreme idealism, but what is a future without having a positive vision of what we want to become as citizens of this Earth.

May we all begin to wake up,
May we all begin to cooperate,
May we all see the shared benefit of one another,
May we all see that this planet is for ALL, not a select few,
May we all just be…

Tyler]]> Tue, 12 Aug 2008 12:08:00 EDT http://CoreyNorman.tigblog.org/post/453875 43.6666667 -79.416666743.6666667-79.4166667 Thoughts on Leadership - Round 1 http://CoreyNorman.tigblog.org/post/451463
The Young Man and the Starfish
A story inspired by Loren Eiseley

A wise man was taking a sunrise walk along the beach. In the distance he caught sight of a young man who seemed to be dancing along the waves. As he got closer he saw the young man was picking up starfish from the sand and tossing them gently back into the ocean. "What are you doing?" the wise man asked. "The sun is coming up and the tide is going out; if I don't throw them in they'll die." "But young man, there are miles and miles of beach with starfish all along it, you can't possibly make a difference." The young man bent down, picked up another starfish, and threw it lovingly back into the ocean, past the breaking waves. "It made a difference for that one," he replied.


This story illustrates an important point for all of us. Every little bit, every small action, makes a difference. It sends repercussions and reverberations around the world. If we each do a part, small or large, we make a difference. If we choose only to focus on the large picture and how many 'starfish' or people in the world need our help, and how can we possibly help them all, then the task becomes daunting. If we focus instead on making a difference for just one person or 'starfish' then the task becomes far more manageable. Each of us are blessed with the gift and ability to make a difference. It is upon each one of us to recognize and exercise this ability.

"Vision without action is merely a dream. Action without vision just passes the time. Vision with action can change the world." - Joel Arthur Barker]]> Fri, 08 Aug 2008 12:08:00 EDT http://CoreyNorman.tigblog.org/post/451463 43.6666667 -79.416666743.6666667-79.4166667 New Blog Features http://CoreyNorman.tigblog.org/post/451465
Starting today, I will also be adding a new feature on Fridays called "Thoughts on Leadership". This feature will include famous peoples thoughts on leadership, quotes by famous leaders, activities you can do to help you discover your own thoughts on leadership, book revues, as well as my own ideas on leadership. I think it is an important area of personal growth to continually challenge our thoughts and actions as it pertains to leadership. I also think that for people to change the world they must be strong leaders, and since many of you may be reading my blog for insight in this area, I felt it would be a good thing to open up for discussion. If you have anything you would like to add to this feature, again, please contact me or leave a comment.

With that said, here is the first ever Thoughts on Leadership...]]> Fri, 08 Aug 2008 12:08:00 EDT http://CoreyNorman.tigblog.org/post/451465 43.6666667 -79.416666743.6666667-79.4166667 Update On My Dietary Changes http://CoreyNorman.tigblog.org/post/449399
I was then told I couldn't eat wheat, dairy, red meat or pork, mushrooms, and vinegar. So essentially everything! It was really hard the first few weeks because I really had to pay attention to everything I was putting into my system. Grocery shopping took me hours because I had to read every label and check it against my list of don'ts. But I figured out what worked for me and found some meals that I liked and could make quite easily. I got in a groove. It is really surprising how many chemicals and preservatives and overall junk I was putting in my system. You just don't realize it until you are forced to take notice!

I also started a regimen of vitamins, minerals, and supplements to help me get to a level where my energy was normalized and I could start to see some of the changes both physically and mentally that my new program was supposed to show. Over the last few months, prior to the changes, I had noticed a sharp drop in my energy and the overall felling of malaise. Without telling you exactly what I am on, I will say I have 3 extra large pill containers to hold them all!

I am pleased to say that after 2 and a half months I have lost 22 pounds and seen many other benefits of the diet. I have made it my goal to lose 9 more in the month of August and 29 more before the end of the year. It is a lofty goal that would see me far below my regular weight (or at least since I hit puberty!). I think I can do it and do it without being unhealthy, but it will take some effort.

If you have any questions about going to a Naturopath please let me know. I am a firm believer in healing the body naturally without the intervention of medication. There are some things and times that medication is necessary, but if you feel comfortable with giving your body the changes it needs without drugs then it is worth the effort.]]> Tue, 05 Aug 2008 03:08:00 EDT http://CoreyNorman.tigblog.org/post/449399 43.6666667 -79.416666743.6666667-79.4166667 The Point http://CoreyNorman.tigblog.org/post/448697
The so called 'campaign' was started to raise money to get Bono to stop doing his philanthropic activities with the funds raised going to the Global Fund to fight HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. The argument the person (and you can see his/her name if you log onto the website)is that the RED campaign that Bono created has spent more on advertising and marketing than it has donated to the Global Fund.

The ignorance is deplorable. If, and I hope you choose to do better things with your time, you decide to put something or someone else down for their efforts to make the world a better place, then please make sure you understand what you are saying negative things about. The fact that this person could not understand the business model that RED supports just makes him look bad but also brings unnecessary negative publicity and criticism from others who also know no better and do not take the time to find out the truth. The world needs more positive actions, not negative.

On that note, I just finished reading The Audacity of Hope by Barak Obama and near the end of the book one passage stuck out to me;
I wonder if Sasha will remember that moment when she is grown. Probably not; it seems as if I can retrieve only the barest fragments of memory from when I was five. But I suspect that the happiness she felt on that parachute registers permanently in her; that such moments accumulate and embed themselves in a child's character, becoming a part of their soul.

I think that this passage and the 'campaign' have something in common that we should all take heed of. Our lives are an accumulation of thoughts, feelings, and events. The more we can add positives to the equation the more that the answer will also be positive. The world is filled with negatives, every where we turn, so start outputting some positives and watch the world change for the better.

As promised I wanted to talk briefly about the website The Point. Here is what The Point has to say about its purpose:

What is The Point? The Point is a website where anyone can start a campaign to organize group action or raise money. We help people congregate around the issues they care about and combine forces to make things happen. Here’s The Point’s big idea: campaign members only act when the conditions exist for them to have the greatest possible impact. For example, donating one dollar toward a one-thousand dollar goal is a waste of a dollar if you’re the only one. But if 999 others are willing, then the goal is reached and that dollar makes sense. The Point allows communities to use the Web to do more than talk it helps them coordinate each person’s small contribution to make big things happen. It’s an entirely new approach to collective action.

How does it work? You can start a campaign on The Point to do anything a group of people might do: gather enough people for a softball game; raise money for a charity; or boycott a company to force change, to name a few. All you need to know is your goal, and what you want people to do to reach it.


Another great spot to explore and share your social conscious. There are lots of great campaigns currently going on (one's with a positive purpose) that you can check out and join. You can even start your own if you feel so inclined.

Remember, do what you do for the better and worry about yourself and how you can contribute to a better world. Focus your energy on the positives that you can share and let the rest take care of itself. There is a time and a place to speak out against the things that make the world worse off, but make a greater effort to understand the subject of your efforts or else risk doing the opposite of what you hope to achieve.]]> Mon, 04 Aug 2008 11:08:00 EDT http://CoreyNorman.tigblog.org/post/448697 43.6666667 -79.416666743.6666667-79.4166667 Job Posting - Executive Director of Million Dollar Youth http://CoreyNorman.tigblog.org/post/444057
To Whom It May Concern:

Million Dollar Youth, a non-profit education and fundraising organization run by youth, for youth, is looking for a dynamic, passionate and dedicated Executive Director.

Founded in 2006, Million Dollar Youth (MDY) was born after its founder returned from a life-changing service mission to Peru. From facilitating skills workshops to providing hands-on experience in developing and implementing creative fundraising initiatives and awareness campaigns, Million Dollar Youth provides young people with the foundation necessary to create positive social change and make a sustainable contribution to the world.

By joining the Million Dollar Youth team you will have the opportunity to work with some of Canada’s most influential youth and professionals. MDY is fortunate to have a number of prominent names on their Board of Advisors, including the founder of Free the Children and a United Nations Goodwill Youth Ambassador for Canada. The National Steering Committee is comprised of dynamic, well-connected and dedicated young people, and a very talented marketing and promotions team is already in place. The founder of the organization also remains involved in an advisory capacity.

Upon hiring an Executive Director, MDY will pursue opportunities currently available to the organization, including working with Juno-nominated artist (and MDY spokesperson) Justin Nozuka, as well as forming exciting partnerships that will allow MDY to grow in the months and years to come.

Million Dollar Youth prides itself on being open to hearing and considering all ideas from volunteers. As the organization is still young, the new Executive Director will have a once in a lifetime opportunity to make the organization their own. The successful applicant will have the chance to work with the National Steering Committee, Board of Directors and Founder to determine the best course to take for the future of the organization.

The Executive Director position is currently a volunteer position, with the potential for it to develop into a full-time paid position in the future.

If you are interested in applying for the position of Executive Director of Million Dollar Youth, please visit the MDY website at www.milliondollaryouth.ca, fill out an application form and send the form, with your resume, to Jeremie@milliondollaryouth.ca

Thank you,

--
Jeremie Poirier
Founder Board Member,
Million Dollar Youth


It is a great opportunity for someone who is both entrepreneurial and a go-getter. There is a real opportunity to take the organization to its next level as it continues to grow. Pass it along to anyone you know that might be interested as well.]]> Thu, 31 Jul 2008 09:07:00 EDT http://CoreyNorman.tigblog.org/post/444057 43.6666667 -79.416666743.6666667-79.4166667 Social Vibe http://CoreyNorman.tigblog.org/post/444055 Social Vibe. If you scroll down a bit you will see a badge with Apples logo as well as who it benefits, Invisible Children. It works where sponsors, like Apple, pay a fee to have there logo put on your blog or social network and the money goes to the charity or cause that you choose (there is a whole list of them). So by signing up and putting the badge on one or all of your social media hangouts you earn points that support your cause. Periodically whatever money has been made is split according to how many points each cause has earned. It is an interesting new service and I thought it was worth a try. If Invisible Children earns a few extra dollars because of a badge I put on my blog, then why not? If you are interested in checking it out further I encourage you to do so.]]> Thu, 31 Jul 2008 07:07:00 EDT http://CoreyNorman.tigblog.org/post/444055 43.6666667 -79.416666743.6666667-79.4166667 Dreambank http://CoreyNorman.tigblog.org/post/441581 Dreambank and it is exactly what it sounds like. Dreamers post their dreams and Supporters help them realize these dreams. It has a bunch of other interesting tid bits and this is the run down according to the website.

What We Do
Dreams are inspiring! Just imagine how much happier the world would be if more of our dreams could come true. That’s why we created DreamBank. We want to help you fulfil dreams in a way that also cares for the planet and contributes to important social causes.

Here’s How We Do It.
First, we provide a fun, easy way for you to fund your dreams. By posting a dream on www.dreambank.org, friends, family and fans can contribute to your dream fund. Each contribution brings your dream closer to reality. Funding dreams is important, but so is support. DreamBank is also built as a community so you can connect and communicate with fellow Dreamers to: follow their progress, share ideas and resources, or just cheer them on.

Second, DreamBank is about helping the planet. By contributing to a dream, you spare the planet some of the nasty side effects of manufacturing, packaging and shipping gifts that, although we appreciate, we often don’t really need or want. Did you know that 83% of Americans[1] received unwanted gifts during the 2006 holiday season? All that ‘stuff’ puts a strain on the environment.

Last but not least, every time a contributor supports a dream, life gets a little better for someone else on the planet. That’s because DreamBank contributions are pooled into one big fund and the interest it generates is distributed to international charities and non profit organizations. Dreamers are given a choice of organizations to associate with their dream. This acts as a vote and tells us how to divvy up the charity pot according to our Dreamers' wishes.

At DreamBank everyone wins. Dreamers get a chance to fulfil their dreams; friends and family get to play a role in making dreams come true for the people they care about; the planet is spared needless environmental damage; and people in need get more help.

Give Dreams. Not Stuff.


A great idea that might be handy come holidays or birthdays instead of receiving gifts from a bevy of people you could post your dream (in some cases a gift you could never afford) and your friends and family can put a little towards the dream to help you realize it. Not only that but a not-for-profit will see something from it as well!]]> Tue, 29 Jul 2008 03:07:00 EDT http://CoreyNorman.tigblog.org/post/441581 43.6666667 -79.416666743.6666667-79.4166667 Life In All Its Complexities http://CoreyNorman.tigblog.org/post/437389
We'll I can't. And unless you possess super powers, neither can you. We need to declutter our worlds. Take out the garbage so to speak. Simplification is the key to achieving all the our dreams. To make a difference we need to focus and put our efforts into one task at a time instead of spreading our mind into the many distractions that exist. I read many great bloggers on this topic and collect many tools and ideas that I think might just help me make the change. However, they become just another wasted expense or waste of time. The problem can't be fixed with these external aids because it is an internal problem. Sure, reading about the problem might help you understand the problem, but it wont help you change it. You have to want to change it. For me, the complexity of life is like an addiction. I am addicted to the clutter, to the noise. It makes me feel normal and I don't know how to kick the habit.

Every day I try a little more to simplify my life. I try to trim my list of things to do, or put off something in favor of something else. One of these days I will break the cycle. and maybe you will too. We have to want it, and then we have to make it so. The 'making it so' part is the key. Everyone says it is a good idea but very few actually do it. You might recognize that this is the exact same thing that separates the brilliant world changers from those who talk about it. Unless you do it, it means little. We are measured by our actions not our intentions. Simplifying your life is one step towards becoming the person who will change the world. If for nothing else than the process it will take to get you there. Take the first step.]]> Tue, 22 Jul 2008 08:07:00 EDT http://CoreyNorman.tigblog.org/post/437389 43.6666667 -79.416666743.6666667-79.4166667 Avaaz.org http://CoreyNorman.tigblog.org/post/437391 Avaaz.org: The World In Action. Their mission is:

Avaaz.org is a new global web movement with a simple democratic mission: to close the gap between the world we have, and the world most people everywhere want. Across the world, most people want stronger protections for the environment, greater respect for human rights, and concerted efforts to end poverty, corruption and war. Yet globalization faces a huge democratic deficit as international decisions are shaped by political elites and unaccountable corporations -- not the views and values of the world’s people.

Technology and the internet have allowed citizens to connect and mobilize like never before. The rise of a new model of internet-driven, people-powered politics is changing countries from Australia to the Philippines to the United States. Avaaz takes this model global, connecting people across borders to bring people powered politics to international decision-making.


“Avaaz” means “Voice” in many Asian, Middle Eastern and Eastern European languages, according to the website.

Furthermore it is described as, "a community of global citizens who take action on the major issues facing the world today. The aim of Avaaz.org is to ensure that the views and values of the world’s people shape global decisions. Avaaz.org members act for a more just and peaceful world and a globalisation with a human face."

Take a look and let me know what you think. There are so many different places now for global citizens to congregate, many of which I have written about, that it would be nice to know what people think about each of them and for what purpose each one could be used. They are certainly all valuable resources, but each has a different reason for using.]]> Tue, 22 Jul 2008 08:07:00 EDT http://CoreyNorman.tigblog.org/post/437391 43.6666667 -79.416666743.6666667-79.4166667 Ideal World Project - Update http://CoreyNorman.tigblog.org/post/429389 ]]> Sat, 19 Jul 2008 05:07:00 EDT http://CoreyNorman.tigblog.org/post/429389 43.6666667 -79.416666743.6666667-79.4166667 A Few Items Of Interest http://CoreyNorman.tigblog.org/post/427625
Do Something Awards:
Their mission statement is -
"We believe young people have the power to make a difference. It is our aim to inspire, support and celebrate a generation of do-ers: people who see the need to do something, believe in their ability to get it done, and then take action.

Our website is a community where young people learn, listen, speak, vote, volunteer, ask, and take action to make the world a better place. Currently, only 23% of this generation actively volunteers. Our hope is to create a do something generation: a world where more than 51% of young people are involved with community action."


Wiser Earth:
Their mission is -
"WiserEarth serves the people who are transforming the world. It is a community-editable international directory and networking forum that maps and connects the largest movement in the world – the hundreds of thousands of organizations and concerned individuals within civil society that address social justice, poverty, and the environment.

WiserEarth provides the tools and a platform for non-profit organizations, funders, social entrepreneurs, students, organizers, academics, activists, scientists, and citizens to find each other, make connections, build alliances and share resources.

WISER stands for World Index for Social and Environmental Responsibility."



Change Me:
Here is a screen capture of their website -


and finally,

The Better World Essay Contest:
This was a contest to write an essay about how to become a better world. There are five essays, each with some great ideas and meaning.]]> Wed, 16 Jul 2008 05:07:00 EDT http://CoreyNorman.tigblog.org/post/427625 43.6666667 -79.416666743.6666667-79.4166667 Paycheck or Service? http://CoreyNorman.tigblog.org/post/427007 Big Paycheck or Service? Students Are Put To Test" delves into the the world of top colleges and the consulting and financial jobs that follow and asks students to question where it is they want to go in life. A professor at Harvard has started leading reflection sessions to get undergraduates to think more about public service. There would appear a trend at Ivey league schools for students to head to wall street after graduation, which would seem peculiar since so many students go to school with the intentions of changing the world.

Is the lure of a large paycheck enough to stop people from pursuing their dreams and aspirations? The security? The fear of the unknown? What happens to the sense of adventure that so many young people possess? I watched the movie Accepted the other day and at the end of the movie one scene really strikes a chord with me. The only real professor at the school is leading a session where he says, "This is not your orientation; you have been oriented your entire life. This is your disorientation." Is that what school is? In my estimation I would say YES. It is a paradigm we exist in. The paradigm I have consistently said needs to be changed. The very method of thought orients everyone coming up through the school system to be brainwashed into thinking that a paycheck is the answer. Somehow we learn to believe that we can purchase our dreams and aspirations later if we abandon them now.

I am in this peculiar position right now where I have just finished school and am left to think about what is next. Do I go for the security of a job that I can certainly do but would rather not, or do I pursue what I have passion for, what I love? It isn't an easy question. Many of my friends now have jobs, are getting married, may soon start families, and here I am without even a job. It is too easy to follow the money, but there is this little voice inside my head and my heart telling me there is more awaiting me. What if my dreams and aspirations are within my power? What if I can change the world? I can't take the easy path until I know for sure. I have found myself disoriented from my disorientation but I trust I will eventually find my path. What about you, do you trust yourself enough to find yours?]]> Tue, 15 Jul 2008 05:07:00 EDT http://CoreyNorman.tigblog.org/post/427007 43.6666667 -79.416666743.6666667-79.4166667 Where The Hell Is Matt? http://CoreyNorman.tigblog.org/post/418351 Where the Hell Is Matt. Apparently it has been very popular, but somehow I missed it. What an awesome idea! A fun little dance move that people all around the world joined in on to create a video spanning the entire globe. Funny how something so small can bring people together.



I would just like to say the sponsor, Stride Gum, deserves a big thank you for making it happen.]]> Thu, 10 Jul 2008 11:07:00 EDT http://CoreyNorman.tigblog.org/post/418351 43.6666667 -79.416666743.6666667-79.4166667 Enough http://CoreyNorman.tigblog.org/post/418353 Enough Project and this is what it it has to say:

"ENOUGH was born out of frustration and hope.
We ran out of patience with the world's shameful lack of progress in combating terrible horrors. We knew there were many examples of successful conflict resolution processes throughout Africa, but the lessons weren’t widely known. We found confidence in the growing number of Americans who are demanding more aggressive, more successful solutions. And we have faith that we can end genocide and crimes against humanity once and for all.

We know that people care, but many assume that the crises in Africa and elsewhere are intractable. This inaccurate perception of futility sustains the killing of thousands and destroys the hopes of a safe and secure future for millions more. With every passing minute, the slaughter continues.

ENOUGH is a project of the Center for American Progress which aims to answer questions about what is really happening and offer a clear path to sustainable solutions. We were co-founded by CAP and the International Crisis Group in early 2007, setting out to establish a new paradigm for action.

We use in-depth knowledge to create clear, viable policy recommendations, and engage activists to apply pressure on the perpetrators and well-meaning governments whose own inertia prevents them from taking the steps necessary to stop genocide and crimes against humanity.

We shine a spotlight on policies that work. We aim to change the international conversation by demonstrating that progress is possible, and that rhetoric is meaningless without resolute, committed action. We are focusing currently on the situations in Congo, northern Uganda, Darfur, southern Sudan and the spillover violence in Chad.

We aim for real change to close the book on these horrible recurring chapters of human history."

Check it out. With the Olympics approaching there is going to be a lot of talk about human rights and if you want to be informed before the conversation starts this website is a great place to start and learn what is going on.]]> Thu, 10 Jul 2008 11:07:00 EDT http://CoreyNorman.tigblog.org/post/418353 43.6666667 -79.416666743.6666667-79.4166667 Global Lives Project http://CoreyNorman.tigblog.org/post/418355 Global Lives Project and this is the blurb on the website,

"Our goal is to record 24 hours in the lives of ten people that roughly represent the diversity of our planet's population. These ten lives will come together in an innovative video installation and form the basis of a collaborative online video encyclopedia of human life experiences."

I think they have hit the nail on the head with this one. Anything that aims to take people out of their own lives and let them see the world through the eyes of someone else is going to impact the viewer. One of the major issues confronting the progress the world can make is acceptance of diversity. To embrace difference is to embrace change - the biggest hurdle we face is change. We are a change adverse world, but if we can come to accept others we can accept that change will not destroy us. Instead it will bring us closer together, capable of taking on any challenge that lies ahead. (Global Warming, Conflict/War, Terrorism, Health Epidemics, etc.)

The more projects like this delve into the issue the more accepting we will all become. If you have an idea about how to increase our understanding of diversity, I would love to hear about it.]]> Wed, 09 Jul 2008 02:07:00 EDT http://CoreyNorman.tigblog.org/post/418355 43.6666667 -79.416666743.6666667-79.4166667 Amnesty International Olympic Ads http://CoreyNorman.tigblog.org/post/418357




]]> Wed, 09 Jul 2008 02:07:00 EDT http://CoreyNorman.tigblog.org/post/418357 43.6666667 -79.416666743.6666667-79.4166667 Greening Photography http://CoreyNorman.tigblog.org/post/418359 Boing Boing. A very interesting use of photography with grass as the medium. What can't you do with grass?

]]> Wed, 09 Jul 2008 02:07:00 EDT http://CoreyNorman.tigblog.org/post/418359 43.6666667 -79.416666743.6666667-79.4166667 Miss Landmine http://CoreyNorman.tigblog.org/post/401197
THE MISS LANDMINE MANIFESTO
(in no particular order)

* Female pride and empowerment.

* Disabled pride and empowerment.

* Global and local landmine awareness and information.

* Challenge inferiority and/or guilt complexes that hinder creativity-
historical, cultural, social, personal, African, European.

* Question established concepts of physical perfection.

* Challenge old and ingrown concepts of cultural cooperation.

* Celebrate true beauty.

* Replace the passive term 'Victim' with the active term 'Survivor'

And have a good time for all involved while doing so!

These are a couple of the ads created to showcase the event for media:





Really is an interesting notion, and one that we fail, here in the Western world, to play with. We hide our 'abnormalities' behind closed doors, or at least we certainly don't give them a contest or pageant. Why don't we? Clearly these women disprove our notions of beauty and flip around our notions of what is normal. This is truly a world changing idea. How can anything be the same?]]> Wed, 02 Jul 2008 10:07:00 EDT http://CoreyNorman.tigblog.org/post/401197 43.6666667 -79.416666743.6666667-79.4166667 More On The Need For A New Paradigm http://CoreyNorman.tigblog.org/post/398683
"Nature consumes and then reuses; there is a cycle to things. But humans just consume. It's obviously time for a new paradigm. And the question is, Do we adopt it now, or do we wait until we're really in trouble? We're going to have to make the tough choices. Some people are going to have to lose money, but new people will begin making money. Industry and environment don't have to be at odds with each other; they can work harmoniously."

This is just one part of the new paradigm that must be considered. What else should be included?]]> Sun, 29 Jun 2008 05:06:00 EDT http://CoreyNorman.tigblog.org/post/398683 43.6666667 -79.416666743.6666667-79.4166667