Day 16 – GRATITUDE (Feb. 14)
On her show Oprah Winfrey frequently promotes the daily practice of gratitude. Begin the day by listing five things for which you are grateful and end it by sharing with one person all of the good in your life today.

New Post at Gomberg for Mayor

http://gombergformayor.blogspot.com/2010/07/only-100-days-left-until-vote-do-you.html

Hello everyone, I've got a new post up at Gomberg for Mayor... shalom, Howard

moving!

Dear friends,

To keep everything consistant I'm moving over to gombergformayor.blogspot.com. This is pretty complex for a guy who hadn't heard of twitter six months ago! Now I have a twitter account, a blog, and a facebook group... and I know where to find them on the intertubes!

So I hope to see you at the new blog... I'm still moving furniture around there and putting wallpaper up but it should be nice in a few days.

Shalom, Howard

180 Approacheth

If you're driving down the road in the same direction, you're liable to get where you're heading to. Is that where you want to go?

Toronto has drifted off course, and on April 28th I will be launching the campaign for Mayor, to correct this drift, if you get my drift! This launch is a symbolic 180 days from election day, October 25th. We're going to be doign a 180 in our thinking, from where we are to where we want to go. To do this, I will be inviting and challenging all who are interested to open and stretch their minds. For more than 30 years I have been studying how to do that, how to be more creative in our responses to situations, how to manifest our visions. How to bring stuff from thought to reality. The launch is on the April 28th, most likely at OISE (awaiting confirmation.)

I will be demonstrating group creativity process, and how to apply social artistry programs on a municipal level. The goal is to awaken our depth wisdoms and our capacities for creative response.

In other words, we are going to have fun! and we are going to challenge the status quo. Some wise person (also known as Jean Houston) suggested that we will either grow or perish. The choice is ours!

So on the 28th, BYOEM (bring your own expandable mind.) Come join Old Man Improv as we launch the campaign.

The Wholey Campaign begins April 28th

This is a wholey campaign. The purpose of which is to recognize our whole-ness. Everything is interconnected, interrelated, interdependant, interesting. There is no them, there is no there; there's only us, and we're just here. There is no future, there is no past. Now is moving very fast. We must proclaim our unity, fulfil our destiny, and as far as I can see, it's really up to you and me.

From a place of wholeness, we can begin to make decisions based on the implications of wholeness. For example: you have a body. If you were to stick a pin into your finger, it's not just your finger that hurts. You hurt, the wholeness of you hurts. So too is it with every decision we make. It doesn't just hurt a small part of the wholeness; the wholeness suffers by the pain that we inflict, in our environment, in our relationships with each other, and in the decions that we make about governance.

So, in this wholey campaign, let us joyfully recognize that what we do affects everything around us. What we think matters, thoughts are things. They have like wings. They fly from mind to mind. So what we're thinking matters. In fact, it matters most of all. Everything begins with our thoughts. If you want to build a house, or make a business, or prepare a dinner, it all begins with thought. So let's think about the kind of city that's waiting to be birthed. Let us from a place of wholeness midwife the new Toronto.

The Wholey Campaign begins April 28th, so please put that in your datebook or cell phone or whatever you use to keep track of things!

Mini Zoomer Manifesto

Why I decided to run for Mayor at the age of 71.

First of all, I need the work. I'm living on four pensions, and whatever part-time work I get. I understand this gig pays handsomely and I'm willing to share it with two co-mayors.
Second first-of-all, I'm tired of all the whining and complaining, especially my own. I can't continue to point fingers and say "why aren't they better than they are." I have to stand up and do something about it.

Third first-of-all was this photo to the right. I take this personally.

Fourth first-of-all was this headline. If our government can't provide us with clean, safe air, what can they do? That's the least we're entitled to, to breathe!

Why I believe I'm the perfect Zoomer candidate:

I am robustly healthy, vigorous and energetic. Because I've been a performer for almost 50 years, apparently I have the gift of the gab. I've also studied with some of the brightest minds of the 20th century and hope to bring their teachings into the municipal forum. While I still have the passion, I can still rant and rave if I have to, sing and dance as I prefer, and speak from my generation of our needs, concerns and aspirations. Let me carry your banner.

Back from Ottawa

I presented the Improv trophy that bears my name in Ottawa last weekend. This 33rd year, the winning team came from Vancouver Island. Congratulations!

The principles embodied in the improv games have a direct municipal application. The skills that are demonstrated by these young people can last a lifetime. The skills of working together as a team. When to be supportive, when to go solo; when to step forward, when to step back. To learn about committing oneself to the moment, to learn from each other. These skills are applicable whether you are a high-school student, a doctor, a lawyer, or a bank clerk. Everybody benefits if we listen, co-operate, learn and commit.

To all my improv relatives, this is another invitation to you to get involved in the campaign. Improve through improv. Above all, let's have a good time.