Earlier this month I had the incredible opportunity to curate and moderate a panel of friends who work in the social good space to discuss their experiences leading organizations with purpose. The panelists consisted of lady bosses that lead some of my favorite local organizations in the Orange County area.
I imagine most people who start something do so to meet a need they witness. They have an idea or an opportunity for a solution to a problem in their own life — or in the lives of others — so they begin to work. It’s not glamorous and it’s uncertain what the finish line looks like or if there is one at all.
That was us 10 years ago when we set out on this journey known as Krochet Kids intl. We established a plan to provide meaningful work to women in Northern Uganda as a means for them to take back control of their futures. To put them back in the driver’s seat of their lives.
The above video is a snapshot of what that first day of crochet training was all about.
A decade later we find ourselves overfull with gratitude, with the same spirit of optimism, and perhaps carrying even more questions than when we first started. We have realized the hard-to-swallow truth that anyone realizes as they pour themselves into meaningful work. That is to say, our goal is not to attain some unattainable or fleeting idea of mastery, but to commit yourself to a consistent process of improvement and to walk with long obedience in the same direction.
The patient result becomes one you could not have imagined or planned for in the beginning and it is very good.
Earlier this year I had the amazing opportunity to travel to Israel for a 10-day trip throughout the country. I was invited by my friends at Socality to take part in a trip hosted by Israel Collective — an organization “dedicated to building vibrant relationships between American Christian leaders and the people of the Holy Land” (from their website).
In retrospect, one of the biggest blessings was that I hadn’t previously thought much about or really ever planned to visit Israel, thus I went in with no expectations of what I would experience. This lead me to be pleasantly surprised by EVERY aspect of our trip, and especially the people and culture we were able to experience while there.
“The fishermen know that the sea is dangerous and the storm terrible, but they have never found these dangers sufficient reason for remaining ashore.” -Vincent Van Gogh
This record has definitely been the album of my summer. Donnie Trumpet & the Social Experiment features Chance the Rapper on the majority of the album. Listen to the full album on Sound Cloud HERE.
The song ‘Sunday Candy’ is an beautiful ode to his grandmother and among the many great rhymes my favorite is as follows…
I come to Christmas for dinner, fifty rolls on my plate.
Hella holes in my stocking holding your pockets in place.
I like my love with a budget. I like my hugs with a scent.
You smell like light, gas, water, electricity, rent.
Have a listen. Enjoy.
“Sunday Candy” – Donnie Trumpet & the Social Experiment