Mission: HOPE.

Why the mission: Humans historically have fostered separation, differences, tribalism, racism, sexism, nationalism, gingoism, and all kinds of conflict in we-isms and me-isms. Misguided loyalties and limited consciousness perpetuates competition, fear, and violence toward others as a means to solve ego-based perceived conflicts. Humans fight about ideas, not reality. Violence shows up everywhere in our culture: TV programs, video games, entertainment, literature, schools, workplaces, homes and constantly in the media. That paradigm is old. Its outdated. Perhaps we have had enough? Human consciousness is capable of better!

How the mission: So how do you change a paradigm? You don't fight against it because that only perpetuates it; you introduce a catalyst with the power to change/shift human consciousness. How? With a meme. Then you replicate that meme exponentially toward the tipping point and critical mass. (Meme in the sense of this project refers to a characteristic of a culture.)

What the mission: The meme I intend to introduce is a new tidal wave of HOPE. I have a plan for this project that will unfold in stages and I am calling upon you to help me initiate stage one. Stage one is to define hope by introducing the idea of hope as a personal and collective cultural project into a world that desperately needs it. Would you be willing to help me in this mission?

Your part in the mission: Your part is to answer the questions listed below and to send (confidentailly held) contact information and then stand at the ready (relaxed mode, of course) to assist with this project if asked. You can also help by passing this on to other leaders in their fields, contemporary heroes, spiritual guides, and well-known or visible personalities whom you think should be on board. Are you willing? If so, please answer the questions and mail me your responses.

Subject: HOPE

• How would you define hope?
• Is hope personal? Impersonal? Where does it come from?
• Is there such a thing as hope in action? If so, how does it come about and how do you recognize it?
• If you were out of hope, where would you go to find some?
• What advice would you give to someone who feels no hope?
• Is there hope for the world? Why do you say that?
• Is there hope for humanity? Why do you say that?
• Is there hope for the future? Why do you say that?
• Personally: Are you hopeful? Do you have hope? For what? Why?
• If you had to depict hope without words (say a photograph, drawing painting or something else visual, tangible, audible or otherwise) what would it be? What do think of when you think of hope? What does hope look like, feel like, sound like?
• If your assignment was to seek out and capture hope, where would you look? How would you keep it around?
• More thoughts on hope (optional):

Email your answers to: barbk@athenet.net

I thank you and the world thanks you!