How to change the world....

Well this is the answer that is sought out by many. And I am no one to think I have the answer, I am looking for it myself. And what can one person do, right? Well, baby steps people. Large systematic change starts with one step forward, apparently. But what if you have a hard time taking that step forward for whatever reason? How do you work it out then?

In the last few years of my life I have struggled to define my purpose and know that it has to do something with creating change for the world. A lot of my heart lies with those that are at the bottom of the so-called pyramid. This aligned with my passions: travel, knowledge, food and bringing people together, have recently made me rethink what my next step will be. What does my life mean to this point and what would be most ideal as the next step.

I am 27 in a few days and when I was a kid, I thought that by this age I would have so much more accomplished. Times change. I change. So now I must bridge the 2 back together. This can be resolved with a little reflection, honesty with myself and a few glasses of wine...

Until next time.

http://www.mycharitywater.org/javier27

All of my birthdays have always been about stuff. Stuff I don't want, stuff I definitely don't need. And to be honest, I hardly even remember what I got last year.

So this year, I'M GIVING UP MY BIRTHDAY!!!

My birthday happens to be in less than one week. I'm turning 27 years old, and instead of asking for gifts, I'm asking for $27 or more from everyone I know. It's not going to me, though. All of it is going to build freshwater wells for people in developing nations.

A billion people in the world are living without clean water - but how much are they really living? Millions contract deadly diseases from contaminated water. 45,000 people will die this week alone. The lucky ones won't, but still walk hours each day to get dirty water to give to their families.

My birthday wish this year is not for more gifts I don't need; it's to give clean and safe drinking water to some of the billion living without it. I want to make my birthday matter this year.

Please join me.

please note: Because of charity: water's unique model, 100% of all donations go directly to direct water projects costs, and each donation is "proved" and tracked to the village it helped when projects are complete. This also happens to be the organization that I volunteered with for a little bit after I returned from living in London.

GO TO http://www.mycharitywater.org/javier27

Phases of Life.

Yesterday a dear friend, colleague and role model passed away. She embodied the idea of a free spirit, the definition of whole, nurturing and persistent. Even after she was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer she was 110%, or at least she appeared that way and not much less. She had more strength than a lot of people I know.

I had the distinct pleasure and honor of working with Marty Fujita in organizing a fundraiser event for the thing which she was absolutely passionate about: locally grown food, the environment and child nutrition. She invited me into the family that she created at Food for Thought Ojai and allowed me to shine in the production of Locally Grown 3.

It was during this planning process for LG3 that Marty was diagnosed and initiated her frequent trips to the Mayo Clinic in Arizona. Trip after trip she would share with us her experience and who she had accompany her to the clinic on each occassion, sometimes her husband, sometimes her daughters sometimes one of her many friends or loved ones and each time was a promising story of betterment and success in battling cancer.

I remember mentioning that I would be traveling to Peru over the holidays, at the same time that she was planning her trip with her daughters in Indonesia. Sadly I would no be able to house sit for her then. Upon return from our trips we continually made arrangements for me to visit and have a feast with local fare, but as was often the case, I had to work.

I was saddened to not have had the opportunity to have a relaxing moment with Marty another time once I found that she had passed. Every thought that crossed my mind was "if only this" and "what if that". After the series of thoughts boiled down to the basics, I came to the realization that Marty was a grand woman. She was a grand dame. Her spirit. Her presence. Her smile. Her passion. It was felt.

Although not with us physically, everything that Marty was in touch with will continue to be defined by her. Her positive energy continues to shine through the colors that she has laid out as her footprint on earth and that will never fade.

To a beautiful woman, a positive role model, a good spirit and an ever lasting impression.