SMART Thinking

Just had a short conversation with Ibe and Howard on BBC3 Counties.
The interview focused on the emphasis people place on new years resolutions only to have them fall apart early February. Rather than planning resolutions think about doing 28 day plans. Small bite size plans that you can review each month.

Make those plans SMART!
Strategic
Measurable
Authentic
Relevant
Timely/Trusted

All the best.

Talking Race | Does it Matter?

Race is still one of those taboo subjects.

It get’s skirted around online and face to face. In the faceless online communities and on newspaper commentaries it is one that gets often vicious attacks and assumptions from all sides of the spectrum.

I would like through these series of articles to really address the issues of race that I often see people talk about clearly and sometimes whisper under their breath. Let’s talk openly and clearly about these things and draw them out into the open analysing them in socio-economic, spiritual and scientific frameworks.

Ok let me ruffle some feathers and address some assumptions or prejudices that I have over heard.

Why do so many black people have chips on their shoulders?
Why don’t white people realise in Western culture they have privileges other races don’t?
How come South East Asians ace all the IQ tests?
Why when we talk about race do we mention black, white and then every other race by region?

And am only starting out with the soft ones. I haven’t even started on the liberal use of pejorative terms of cracker, nigger, paki, chinky and other such euphemisms which are deemed acceptable within certain racial groups, but could start a small scale riot if used outside of it.

It is good to delve into this to have an understanding of how we view each other in this racial melting pot of Western society and what effects it has on education, faith, politics, media reporting, relationships and careers amongst other things. No holds barred. Straight talk and definitely not for the faint hearted.

Maybe this is an exercise for me to deal with some of the subconscious issues and possible inferiority I have around race myself. This could be an interesting journey.

Africa Knows | Photo Essays

I promised myself in 2010 to start writing again in earnest about Africa and people of African descent in the Diaspora. Not only people but some of the projects that often slip under the radar of popular media.

My first post is of a beautiful site that I picked up from African Digital Art.
The site is called Africa Knows.

Our Purpose: To tell a different story about Africa. The Re-branding of Africa.

In that single bold statement lies the vision of  Sheila Ochugboju and Joshua Wanyama (TED fellows). The couple have a bold vision of combining digital media and social networks to paint a picture of 21st Century Africa. The story so far is a powerful capture through photo essays of this beautiful continent starting in Kenya.

The stories themselves say all. Check it out and feel free to refer them on to others.

Book Review | The Shack

I have a long list of books that friends and colleagues have helped me to read over this year.The Shack by WM Young is the first and as promised with each of these books I am writing my review.

I actually really liked this book. taking it at face value its a beautifully written story told from a mainly Christian world view, how the protagonist Mack, learns to deal with a tragic loss in his life. Without wishing to spoil the story too much the things that stood out for me most were

a) the simplicity of the way the story is told
b) the way the story turns a number of paradigms, including our concept of God, on its head
c) the principle that we spend so much energy on being independent and chasing things rather than just being
d) God is a Verb. This chapter alone made it for me.

One of the most powerful things about myths and legends are that they are vehicles for truth.

Dave’s Book Club | 2010

I have asked a number of friends (and friendly people) to recommend a number of books that I could benefit from reading this year and possibly write reviews on. The main remit was to find books on fiction, faith, business and others that might light my fire. I may not read them all this year but heck it’s worth a try plus it’s a lovely exercise. So here is the list so far with specific books and for those who think I may have left out a recommendation it’s probably because I have read it already. Eclectic mix.

Reflections | 2009 and The Noughties

Taking some time out to reflect on both the last decade and last year.
What have I learnt? What am I most proud of? What has happened to shape the person who I am?

Tenacity
The start of the last decade brought it with some serious challenges professionally. The knock on effects of the closure of my business at the beginning of the decade had me really thinking about how I would progress. The last few years running my new business has taught me that it is about planning, taking action and revisiting with new ideals. Most importantly though it is about being clear on what it is you do. Even now as the old decade ended and a new one began its about being tough and digging in and maintaining who you are.

Tolerance
I have been pleasantly surprised over the last decade on my openness to new ideas and tolerance of things that once I never thought would be. Spiritually the last ten years have seen a progressive move away from organised religion as it stands. I no longer attend a church on a regular basis and to be honest cannot see myself going to one in a hurry either. I am quite content in worshipping with my family and exploring new ways of experiencing God without having someone dictate to me their truth. Along with this however I have also learned to appreciate and not to knock other views. From atheist to Christian and everything in between. Whilst online there are some great opportunities for discussion I often wish there was more of a place to debate stuff face to face. Maybe there is an opportunity in there some where.

Thankfulness
I am learning to say thank you a lot more. To be more grateful. Thankful for the opportunities. Thankful for the skills and talents that I have. Thankful to my family and friends and even in some situations thankful for the   which have helped to create the tenacity and tolerance spoken about before.

So here is looking forward to a new year and a new decade and the joy and challenges it will bring.

Short Film| Strangers

Deep.

Gen Y? Ah I get it!

Who is Generation Y ??

The Silent Generation are people born before 1946.

The Baby Boomers are people born between 1946 and 1965. 

Generation X are people born between 1965 and 1979.   

Generation Y are people born between 1980 and 1995.

Why do we call the last one Generation Y ?   I did not know until now, but the cartoon below explains it eloquently…. and now, you too have learned something new!

Gen Y

TEDx Euston | Africa Revisited

I can’t believe I have not done my write up about this event yet.
Slacking Dave. Slacking.

Well for those who have heard me going on and on about TED Global in Tanzania 2007 and the meeting of revolutionary methods this was an opportunity to be able to hear more stories about marvellous work going on in the continent.

Held last week Saturday in the University of Central London by my TED Fellow Chikwe Ikweheazue, I wildly sent emails around to my colleagues to seize the opportunity of catching a little flavour of this kind of event. Unfortunately many could not attend of the short notice but I went anyway.

An Open Letter to God

Dear God

I do believe in you, but that does not come without its doubts and questions. I think it is only healthy that if questions do come to mind that I ask them and respectfully pursue those answers whether out of my own curiosity or peace of mind. For many years growing up in the Christian faith I have taken it as read that many of my beliefs whether in your creative power, the concept of salvation and a restored earth are unquestionable. At my core these beliefs still remain however as a child to their parent it is only healthy I believe that when something does arise to challenge this thinking that it does get addressed.

In my youth I always say atheists, humanists and all others who did not believe in you as I did as targets of ridicule or opportunities to exercise my theological superiority on.