From my ESPN blog post:

The Never Say Die Kid

“I had been in many elementary schools, middle school and high schools prior to my visit to Errol Hassel Elementary School in Aloha, Oregon to visit Mrs. Hess’ fourth grade class, but I had no idea that at this school an unassuming little girl was about to set in motion a series of events, meetings and an eight year (and counting) friendship...Unlike her classmates who were satisfied to revel in the excitement of seeing a handcrafted cobalt blue bottle with the acid-etched words “MAGIC” uncork the possibilities...she was desperate to shift the course of things at home with her brother.”

Read the entire story of Shelby, John and the Brennan family, a story of deep and abiding love, courage and hope; read how my life serendipitously intersected with theirs here.

AND,

Check out this all too-brief video of John below:

What’s your Red Rubber Ball?!

Shoutout Thursday is our time to feature those who have given us love on their websites or blogs.  This is our way of saying: Backatcha!

From Belle and Lilly’s Blog - “Purpose in Play”:

Another fascinating lesson I (Rachelle) learned while visiting San Diego is the importance of play. I’ll wait while you finish laughing. Yes, I know that you find it difficult for me—the girl who was born an adult—to truly appreciate play. I have to admit that I cringed when this wonderful speaker, Kevin Carroll, told us—an audience of more than 500 fundraisers—that we need to learn how to play! But play is essential to our creativity, energy and enthusiasm for life. Play taught Mr. Carroll to never give up on his dreams.

Thanks Rachelle and I want to wish you, Belle and Lilly many happy returns - to the sliding board and the swing set!

What’s your Red Rubber Ball?!

Stefan Bucher’s Daily Monster is our Wednesday staple of creative, hairy fun.

Stefan’s recent Daily Monster fest has ended with #200:

If you want to read the Daily Monster stories (or maybe even write your own), go to this link and enjoy!

What’s your Red Rubber Ball?!

From Scientific American:

Moments of brilliance arise from complex cognitive processes. Piece by piece, researchers are uncovering the secrets of creative thinking
By Ulrich Kraft

“...Research suggests that we start our young lives as creativity engines but that our talent is gradually repressed. Schools place overwhelming emphasis on teaching children to solve problems correctly, not creatively. This skewed system dominates our first 20 years of life: tests, grades, college admission, degrees and job placements demand and reward targeted logical thinking, factual competence, and language and math skills--all purviews of the left brain. The propensity for convergent thinking becomes increasingly internalized, at the cost of creative potential. To a degree, the brain is a creature of habit; using well-established neural pathways is more economical than elaborating new or unusual ones. Additionally, failure to train creative faculties allows those neural connections to wither. Over time it becomes harder for us to overcome thought barriers. Creativity trainers like to tell clients: “If you always think the way you always thought, you’ll always get what you always got--the same old ideas...”

People suffering from dementia and other forms of brain damage have shown a sudden blooming of dormant creativity.  Previously stilted artists become, suddenly, wildly impressionistic; others who’d never shown any interest in creative endeavors - are now composing music with no musical training and winning art awards.  All of this while their mental acuity deteriorates.  Why?

We posted video of a speech by creativity expert Ted Robinson who asked the question: “Do schools today kill creativity?” This is a very serious question.  An equally serious idea worth pondering is triggered by this article: as the socially mandated graces and our grip on them, wane, creativity is unleashed.  What if the halter was loosened, or never used?  What if we created schools that support, rather than suffocate the muse?  What impact does the repression that “Unleashing Creativity” notes, have on mental illness?

Long read, but a must read if you are as fascinated by the depth of the play/creativity instinct as I am.

What’s your Red Rubber Ball?!

Pictures by Chris Torres of 6 of Four Creations

Vince Hungate had been trying to get me down to Atlanta to speak to the youth in the fantastic Essential 2 Life program for a couple of years, since the Catalyst conference in ‘06.  Finally, we were able to work out a perfect time to make it happen as I would be down south for the Maximum Impact event. 

Essential 2 Life, the organization that Vince and Allison Hungate founded, takes empowering programs directly to at-risk youth in local housing projects.  They do so utilizing a state of the art mobile unit full of games, videos, skits and music that engage kids with culturally specific material.  The idea is to take the tools and resources necessary to succeed - directly to the people in need.  And from what I saw - it works!

These young people have gone through devastating trials and survived; it was critical for me to let them know that many have trodden a similar path.  Not only have we survived, we have thrived and part of thriving is giving back - as Vince and Allison do so freely.  To meet kids who are no different from me and to observe the commitment, love and academic assistance and support provided by E2L was truly inspirational.  Their attention has been re-focused - not on depressing statistics or potential land mines in their path, but on being and appreciating themselves, excelling in high school and entering college or university on a mission and with confidence and belief. 

Multiply Essential 2 Life times 1000 and imagine what would result. 

What’s your Red Rubber Ball?!

From Technology, Entertainment, Design or, TED:

“Dr. Ernest Chijioke Madu believes that people in the developing world have a right to world-class health care. At his three Heart Institute of the Caribbean clinics --in Kingston and Mandeville, Jamaica, and in the Cayman Islands—he delivers more than $1 million a year in free or reduced-care treatment, a significant contribution in an area where 56% of hospital deaths are caused by cardiovascular disease.

Ernest Madu founded the Heart Institute of the Caribbean, a revolutionary clinic for cardiovascular diseases in Kingston, Jamaica—revolutionary for offering first-class health care in a developing nation. His next stop: Nigeria.”

Watch Dr. Madu’s TED speech:

On my last trip to South Africa in 2007, I visited the Walter Sisulu Pediatric Cardiac Centre for Africa (WSPCCA). There, I was told of the amazing work by the centre, how they cater to children of the entire continent, children who come from families unable to pay for the cardiac treatment they so desperately need.  Having been made aware of the conditions and plight that Dr. Madu’s speech references by the passionate Lynda Bleazard, CEO of WSPCCA, it was a no-brainer for me to contribute.  Through that contribution, Ncobille was able to receive life saving treatment:

Every child deserves a chance. 

What’s your Red Rubber Ball?!

From the Aiming 4 Cute Live Journal:

“The Red Rubber Ball

‘Follow your passion and work hard for it and I really can achieve anything!’

That is what my mom wrote to me in the back of this book that she gave me. It’s called “Rules of the Red Rubber Ball”, I have just skimmed over it. It is really neat in my mind. Lately I feel like, everyone has been saying that I really couldn’t achieve some of my most valued goals. Then i get in trouble for saying they don’t know what they’re talking about, I can succeed!! Don’t doubt me…
My mom also mentioned in her note how so many adults only settle on what seems realistic, and my goals seem to be far from realistic.
My goals are simply:

~Get a 35 or 36 on my ACT
~Get into MIT to become an architect
~Work on my music career
~Come out with at least one hit song [not to be a one hit wonder or anything, thats just the goal for now]
~Travel Northern Europe, Denmark and Germany especially

I’m a fighter, I will never give up...Trust me on that one.

As I’ve heard said: “If you can conceive and believe it, you can achieve it!” Nothing can stop a fighter - with a vision - but lack of heart.  Stay true, stay strong and stay focused...and I’ll bet you see a 36 or better on your ACT.

What’s your Red Rubber Ball?!

Stefan Bucher’s Daily Monster is our Wednesday staple of creative, hairy fun.

Stefan has been soliciting monster stories - from his readership - who come up with clever yarns using the Daily Monster as the jumping off point.  Here’s Stefan’s take on 197:

“197 looks dazed. Possibly confused, as well. Do you think that’s an accurate assessment? Or is 197 so strange that it merely appears unexpressive to us humans? Or is it a strategy on 197’s part? Does it know exactly what it’s doing? More than ever your theories and speculations are vital! I do hope you’ll share your thoughts and...”

Ten brave souls have created short monster vignettes so far.  Check out 197 below and see if “IT" gets your creative juices flowing.  If so, head over to Daily Monster and share your tale.

What’s your Red Rubber Ball?!

From Fast Company

Why You Should Include a Joker in Every Brainstorming Session
By: Kermit Pattison

The Fast Interview: John Morreall on the link between humor and innovation, why authoritarian bosses fear humor, and the funniest CEO in America.

“How does it (humor) encourage creativity?

Humor makes us think more flexibly. People who think funny do better on creativity studies. To put it really simply, humor loosens up your brain to think of more possibilities and be more open to the wild and wacky ones.”

Read the rest of the interview here.

Dr. Morreall, an internationally recognized humor expert, is the author of “Humor Works”, as well as a board member of the International Society for Humor Studies.  Did you know that there is an international society for humor studies?

“The International Society for Humor Studies (ISHS) is a scholarly and professional organization dedicated to the advancement of humor research. Many of the Society’s members are university and college professors in the Arts and Humanities, Biological and Social Sciences, and Education.  The Society also includes professionals in the fields of counseling, management, nursing, journalism, and theater.  All of our members are interested in humor’s many facets, including its role in business, entertainment, and health care as well as how humor varies according to culture, age, gender, purpose, and context.”

Go here to find ISHS journal articles and research studies. 

Didn’t realize that play was so serious, huh?

What’s your Red Rubber Ball?!

I was walking through the airport in Albany, NY recently when I noticed a number of display cases.  Turns out that the National Soccer Hall of Fame (located in nearby Oneonta) has a set of soccer memorabilia there which I stumbled upon.  Serendipity!

What’s your Red Rubber Ball?!

From the “Venworld” blog:

Venezuelan Music Program ‘El Sistema’ on 60 Minutes

A youth music education program in Venezuela known as “El Sistema” (”the system”) was featured on CBS’s 60 Minutes yesterday. The program has taught hundreds of thousands of youngsters — starting at 2 years of age! — in poor areas of Venezuela to play classical music.

Watch the 60 Minutes broadcast.

The government-funded “Sistema” was started in 1975 by José Antonio Abreu. It has produced stars such as the maverick 27 year-old conductor Gustavo Dudamel (known to 60 Minutes viewers as “Gustavo the Great”). Dudamel made his mark conducting the Simón Bolívar Youth Orchestra of Venezuela, and has been chosen to head the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra beginning in 2009.

My early grade school introduction to classical music & the cello drew me to this story. I continue to enjoy the cello (although I’m constantly frustrated with my level of expertise!) and I really think all of us should have an avocation or hobby that brings us joy & personal pleasure.

What’s your Red Rubber Ball?!

Go directly to ESPN.Com and Page 2 to read my latest article on the “Most Outstanding Players” in using basketball as a tool for social change.  Here’s a little taste…

“...As I watched the (NCAA) tourney finals and truly enjoyed the play in both games, my thoughts occasionally wandered from the on-court action, to the masses of humanity crammed into the arenas in San Antonio and Tampa, to the millions of eyes peering at some version of a screen to view the contests, to how a game can be a powerful tool, capturing our imagination and attention in a profound way.

And those thoughts led me to the work of individuals around the world who are using basketball to change the lives of others. I thought about how I’m equally awed by the commitment of several social-change organizations around the globe to improve the lives of others. So, I figured it was time to hand out some post-tourney honors to a few deserving individuals who are harnessing the power of hoops...”

Read the entire article here

What’s your Red Rubber Ball?!

Stefan Bucher’s Daily Monster is our Wednesday staple of creative, hairy fun.

Here is Stefan’s latest monster: #190…

And we’ve never shown you the man behind the pen, but here (stage left) is the Daily Monster artiste extraordinaire.

If Stefan’s Monsters have captivated you as much as they have us, please remember that ”100 Days of Monsters” is coffee table ready!

What’s your Red Rubber Ball?!

When I played Little League baseball, I can remember imagining what it would be like to be playing in the “Show” while standing out in center field in between pitches. BLOGNOTE: a few years into my baseball career I played in Babe Ruth league and the discovery of my inability to hit a curveball ended my dreams of being in the show. No matter what method my coaches employed to teach me to ‘hang in there & wait for the break of the ball (hit me with a pitch to show that it’s not so bad a sting or tie my shoe laces together so I couldn’t step out without fallin’ over), I consistently bailed out of the batter’s box as the ball approached my dome!)

Well, imagine that amazing moment actually occurring for some little leaguers in Hermosa Beach, CA., with the assistance of Improv Everywhere. Improv Everywhere creates unforgettable moments/capers around the world that remind those who happen to witness one of their spontaneous events about the role and value of play in our lives. Check out the reaction of these aspiring little-big leaguers who get a taste of the “Show” and their own field of dreams…

What’s your Red Rubber Ball?!

Life as the Katalyst offers many opportunities to speak before widely disparate groups and in wildly different climates.  From the snow to the beach in one week?!  No worries!  In addition to my other speaking engagements, I’ve been on a Public Library Association (PLA) eight city tour - sponsored by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation - which has taken me to several parts of the Midwest and Northeast.  The cold wintry photos here are from the PLA event in Bolton Landing, NY on April 10th; the next day, I was attending the Fontainebleau Resorts meeting in Miami.

One day I’m going to have to write in detail, about the gift of being exposed to such amazing cultural, geographic and even climatic diversity, meeting so many segments of humanity in transit, at work, creating, making change in the world, seeing such extremes of weather, topography.  Stay tuned!

What’s your Red Rubber Ball?!