Observations Archives

April 2004

HANDS THAT SHAPE HUMANITY

I had the honor of being invited to participate in HANDS THAT SHAPE HUMANITY. It is an initiative of the Desmond Tutu Peace Trust. One hundred people from all walks of life (Spike Lee, George Lucas, Margaret Thatcher, Bill Gates), and from all around the globe, were asked to contribute one piece of wisdom for future generations. There will be a traveling museum exhibition, bronzed hands of all participants, etc, etc.

Hence the need to come up with two bits of personal yet universal wisdom.

Yikes!

But the moment came this past Saturday, and I provided my humble offering. Typical Tom, I could do no less than two. Then with the help of various friends I picked my single contribution.

You'll find both versions attached. (The first was the official entrant.) You'll also find something labeled "key word." As part of the process, the Foundation team had me/each of the 100 write one word on the palm of our hand, which was then photographed.

FYI ...

Engage!

Commit! Engage! Try! Fail! Get up! Try again! Fail again! Try again! But never, ever stop moving on! Progress for humanity is engendered by those who join and savor the fray by giving one hundred percent of themselves to their dreams! Not by those timid souls who remain glued to the sidelines, stifled by tradition, and fearful of losing face or giving offense to the incumbent authorities.

Commit!
Engage!
Try!
Fail!
Persist!

Key word: Engage

You Must Care

Make the time each day to offer an expression of appreciation to just one of your fellow human beings. It is the accumulation of such "small" kindnesses and acts of recognition and awareness and respect that add up to a life worth having been lived. In short ... you must care. You must wear your passion and compassion and engagement on your sleeve, and attend intensively to the moment. It will not come 'round again!

Key word: Care

Tom Peters posted this on 04/05/2004.
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