When someone has a dream, but keeps it too themselves, it usually continues to sit as a dream.  When someone has a dream and shares it with someone, anyone, it is then that it has the opportunity to become a reality.  I’m sitting in LA, after a long day of talking about how Extreme can better communicate with people and well…I now have the task of helping people hear the dream.  I just started another blog titled “Anybody Listening?” www.anybodylisteningtoday.wordpress.com and while I probably should be writing this for that blog, I think that it maybe pertains more toward what is happening in my life than just the communication of it.  I’ve been wanting to put into words the way that a photographer that I follow (Zach Arias) has be mobilizing people and influencing people all around the world these past couple weeks (check out his blog at http://www.zarias.com/) after a blog he wrote basically in response to an email he received.  It was titled “How many of you are standing on the dock?” and if you have the time (it does require a little reading, but IT IS WORTH IT) I would definitely check it out.  If you want to skip ahead a little, check out the video that is titled “Soap, Dope, and Hope” as every blog after kinda explains the story to some extent.  I don’t know Zach personally but I have done a bit of reading on him, from him, and I have watched his OneLight Dvd (an amazing gift) and I have come to realize that he is THE REAL DEAL.  He recognized a need in an email from one of his readers, he identified with the need, and then he put his influence into action.  I don’t think that he said “I need to create a blog, have engaging content about photography so I can then change the way the world thinks socially.” No, I’m almost sure he really just started talking and writing about a subject that he really really enjoys.  A subject he knows about and a subject that he wants to share with others.  He didn’t have a social agenda.  He wasn’t pushing a belief.  And yet in the midst of it, he was genuine enough to still have a part in changing the social context and world around him.  It’s genuine, it’s personal, and it definitely connects with me. (more after the break)

I think and I know that this can apply to me.  Instead of thinking and trying to figure out how to connect with people I need to do that daily. I need to force myself to connect with someone on a daily basis because it may not seem fruitful at first but there may be a time when I have the ability to influence someone without really even knowing or thinking that that is what I am doing.  It’s a lifestyle that comes from laying a foundation, not something that you can turn on every once in a while.  I find that truly challenging.  That kicks my butt.  This whole sharing of the dream is my job.  Yes, it’s what I do as a missionary but it really is my job as a follower of Christ.  I get to share the bigger dream, not out of a sales pitch but out of the real story that I get updated on in my life daily.  I have to be connected personally, living by faith, living on the edge, telling real personal stories, and if I’m not…I should just go home.  

I would encourage you to check out Zach’s blog, check out his challenge and see if that rocks your world.  Teachers ARE everywhere.  I am going to fulfill that challenge that Zach laid out, and have been trying to find a way to use my camera. I have a couple ideas and I’ve already jumped off the dock in one sense or another, but I’m going to be a part of something that I truly believe in, and that’s caring for people more than the dollar, more than the issue.  It’s not how much money can I make, but I need to learn to think of how much of a relationship that I can participate in and with.  Huge.  Check it out and share your dream.

一些 心疼

看著你們的憂愁、煩惱
不自覺溢出一些心上 麻麻的痛
麻
不是尖銳的 不是粗糙的
而是那樣言不由衷
在身體或靈魂的某一深處
一些沒有光照進的地方
獨自憂傷

因為不捨與心疼 那樣的想念

是
有某一種份量的悸動
伴隨著我隨著你們淡淡的憂傷
逃到天涯海角
不願讓人看見的
細微傷口
那般的幽深、清靈

有一些痛
已經悄悄往你們的方向飛去
讓我獨自默默地悲傷著⋯⋯

寂靜
與落寞⋯⋯

有關於靈魂

–

要是能用樂音訴說
那該會有多好
我似乎已不再擁有 用文字表達的力量 再也無法用文字表達

–

[ Anybody Listening? ]

Is therew anybody listeing?
Is there anyone that sees what’s going one?
Read between the lines
Criticize the words they’re selling
Think for yourself and feel the walls
Become sand beneath your feet.

New video from Canada’s Classified for the radio single off his upcoming album, Self Explanatory, which drops April 7th. Hit the jump for the (dope) artwork and tracklist.

*patiently waits for the Royce Da 5′9″ & B.o.B assisted joint.

1. Self Explanatory
2. Get Out The Way
3. Choose Your Own Adventure 1
4. Up All Night
5. Quit While You’re Ahead w/ Choclair, Maestro and Moka Only
6 .Inspiration
7. CYOA 2
8. Anybody Listening
9. They Call This (Hip Hop) w/ Royce 5′9″ and B.o.B
10. Oh… Canada
11. CYOA 3
12. Where Are You w/ Saukrates
13. Trouble
14. Use to Be w/ Mic Boyd
15. Breaking Up
16. One Track Mind w/ Joel Plaskett
17. CYOA 4
18. Things Are Looking Up w/ Chad Hatcher
19. Still Got it
20. Loonie w/ D-sisive, Shad, DL Incognito and Buck 65
21. CYOA 5
22. CYOA 6

I told ya’ll to lookout for Class’ official single off his upcoming album, Self Explanatory, . And here it is. I’ve gotta be honest and say I’m definitely on the fence about this record. I do understand that it’s a radio single and am very much aware of the talent dude has. So regardless of my thoughts for the single, I have no doubt SE will be dope. Dropping April 7 on Sony Music Canada, with guest spots from Royce 5′9, B.o.B, Shad, Saukrates, Choclair, Moka Only and more.

DOWNLOAD: Classified – Anybody Listening
PREVIOUS: Classified – Trouble (Video)