I am cleaning out my home office tonight.

I have a crazy stack of magazines going all the way back to December that I have not touched. In the midst of my piles I took some time to read.

I read an article on Richard Branson, love him.

If you have been living under a rock and you do not know who he is, he is the founder and powerhouse behind Virgin which consists of over 200 companies now. He started his first company when he was 15. A high school drop out and dyslexic. More importantly a brilliant innovator, free thinker, happily married man, father and an electric spirit.

In this article I learned of an organization he started with Peter Gabriel called The Elders (www.theelders.org). This group is modeled after the idea of “The Village Elders” , wise men and women that help guide the conscience of a community. Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, Jimmy Carter, Mary Robinson and the list goes on. Possibly twelve of the most extraordinary people on the planet.

I explored their website and continued to neglect my office in the name of hope. These people give me hope. These ideas, these words and deeds.

“We have evolved past war.”

Thank you.

There are intelligent “out of the box” people we just need to look for them.

If you are looking for the mainstream media to bring these beacons of hope to you, forget it. We need to find them ourselves.

The media brings you every sordid affair, American Idol Winner and brutal death they can find.

The Elders. Phenomenal idea and yet so simple.

I remind myself…read more, open your eyes and stay positive.

That is all from the laundry room.

Dream!

daily thoughts education hope life meaning The Elders thoughts elders hope thoughts