Leaving Necker Island and Reflections

A bit of a sad day to leave new friends, but we had our last breakfast together, swapped contact information, lots of hugs and headed back on the boat to Tortola for everyone's final destinations. 

One of the greatest gifts of life is to learn; learn from our experiences, learn from others' experiences, learn from new information, learn new skills and capabilities, learn where there is need for change, and learn more about ourselves and what truly brings us joy. 

I think one of the other greatest gifts of life are the moments which bring us deep meaning.  I have always believed that we are all hard-wired for meaning and consciously or unconsciously, we seek it out.  For the first time this week, I saw science make the same claim; with the fascinating results that are coming in from Citizen Science/crowd sourcing projects, like Zoonivese.  People's participation in Zooniverse is not paid, and they were taken completely by surprise as to the explosive success of Zooniverse and the power of crowd sourcing.  They have now done extensive studies on why so many people are contributing large amounts of time and effort.  The answer has come back categorically, that people do it because they feel they are part of something that they feel has meaning, that they are contributing to something that has value, and in particular, that their contribution are needed and valued.  Even more interesting...they tried some experiments where the participants got "points" for how many stars, or animals, or old navy logs etc. they were giving their assessment to, and to their surprise - their participation went down.  They no longer felt like they were doing something of meaning - rewarding with points was not satisfying, whereas the sense that their voluntary contribution (without specific recognition) was.  The crowd sourcing discussion we had, was one of the most in-depth ones as it was like a bright light of hope forward that we as humans not only have the capacity to incorporate more meaning in our lives, but the real desire to do so as well.

For me, this week was full of both of those gifts; 1) intense learning on so many fronts and 2) a connection to an even deeper meaning of what our potential is as humans; both individually and collectively, to make a difference in this world.   I feel like, not only did this week fill me up, but it has totally overflowed me with joy, ideas, energy, and excitement for what lies ahead and the possibilities that are there to create. 
 
I believe that the gift of learning can then increase 10 fold, if we then make its connection to how we can grow as individuals, as small groups, and as communities. Growth is not an absolute measurement but rather one in which it is relative to our current state.  One of the great experiences I had this week was related to that aspect of "relativity".   Certainly Richard does, but I have met several amazing people that have very high levels of influence in this world.  I joked with a couple of them, that by now knowing them, my normal six degrees of separation (you are six people away from you to know anyone else in the world) has been reduced to 2.  I certainly don't have that same level of influence, at that same scale or magnitude, and it could be easy for me to say that they are the ones that have to do the heavy lifting, and that they are the only ones who could effect change.   However, I have realized this week that I cannot use that as an excuse to abdicate myself from being a change agent from the level that I am at.  That is the beauty of relativity (thank you Einstein...P.S. one of my heros) - it only makes a difference from where you currently are.   You have all been wonderfully supportive reading my blog, but there may be some of you reading this, that may also have those similar thoughts...that it is great that I am doing this, but that you couldn't do this.   We don't have to be extraordinary...each of us is already special enough to be able to make a difference in ourselves, our families, and our communities.

If I can give you any inspiration today, is that....let's not judge that our actions must be "big" like others - they only have to be more than where we currently are, in order to change the world.  If everyone increased their relative contribution of making a difference, I can only imagine how we would collectively "shoot the lights out"!!!

The key themes of this conference and the group discussions were:

• What we are doing is not sustainable (destruction of environments, attitudes around waste/throw away society, food supplies, energy distribution/usage)
• We still have many historical practices that are keeping us limited in solutions (corruption, violence, inequality)
• There are amazing technologies, understandings, ideas that are coming forward that can address the above - but we need even more innovation and commitment to putting resources to creative solutions
• The quality of our collective future depends on our collective current actions, not just talking about it.

One of the deeply moving parts of last night was a round table of sharing what we were all going to do as "disruptive" actions when we got back to our respective communities.  Disruptive actions are out of our usual practices and are:

• things we can do, where there currently is no action
• things we can do that can make a greater impact
• things we can do as a collective to shift attitudes or awareness
• things that we can stop doing that would allow for other actions to show up

Some were specific, some were general, some were short term, some were long term, but everyone was so committed to make the magic that was felt here this week together, continue into connections of disruptive actions that will be transformative.  I am honored to be part of that community of souls that made that commitment this week.

I'm working on some of my ideas as to what my disruptive actions will be as I get home and back into my community of interactions and influence.  Normally a blog is just for information purposes, but I would like to extend an invitation out to anyone reading this:

If you would be interested in being part of a committed community that wants to see the world change for the better, that you would inspire yourself to do your "relative" disruptive actions, can you hit the comment button and leave a brief YES.  If you know of others that would as well, ask them to comment on the blog too.  It will help me formulate some of my ideas.  If you don't comment, I'm not offended at all, that will also help me feel what is the best way for me to make a difference.

Regardless, I hope my time at Necker Island has perhaps given you some inspiration to in whatever way that is for you...
BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD.  Mahatma Ghandi

FYI, I will be using this blog for now, to let everyone know what my disruptive actions will be in the next short while or to run some ideas by anyone that might be interested.

Summer Whites Evening

This is our last night together on the island, our conference ends tomorrow morning and everyone will say goodbye for now.  Some amazing friendships have been formed this week.

This is Henk and Akemi Rodgers from Hawaii.  Henk has done 2 very cool things on this trip which show the type of amazing person he is.  1) the hat he is wearing - he brought as a white hat and called it his Peace Hat - he brought colored markers and asked everyone to write something about how we can bring peace to the world on it.  This hat is truly amazing now with the creative artwork and inspirational messages from everyone on it of how we can create a more peaceful world (and wouldn't that be cool!).  My addition was my continued adage along with a simple diagram of two people united...The World would be a better place if we hugged more! 

 This is Satjiv and Vera - super cool couple.  He used to be head of Apple Marketing and then moved to HP to look after their marketing.  His speciality is bringing marketing to innovative new products.  She is a German artist and architect, living in Italy.  His big push in marketing is to add PURPOSE to the regular marketing strategies involving price, placement, etc.  He is very inspirational and is definitely a force for good in Silicon Valley. 

 

 This evening featured Morley (sorry not a great pic) - an incredible singer/songwriter.  Her voice was so moving and we had to give her a standing ovation for such an emotional set of music which talked about developing a better relationship with the environment, loving each other more, more faith is what is possible, more understanding of each other.  It was deeply touching for everyone.

To balance out the evening with the deeply moving, came the deeply comedic.  Jack and Ludo had us all laughing histerically at the dubbed face of Dr Godfray (our professor who loves bugs).

 In our closing session/discussion tonight, everyone felt a great sense of purpose and that this week together would produce some profound results go forward.  I have been filled with this sense of purpose in joining this amazing group of people in a commitment to be a change agent - to be courageous and step forward in a more meaningful way to make a difference.  A difference in the way we honor nature, the way we honor each other, and the way we honor ourselves by being the change that we want to see happen.



Views from top of Mosquito Island

After our hike, Richard took us on a tour of the development that is happening on Mosquito Island.

After biodiversity walk, Richard took us on another hike to see the views from his Mosquito Island. 

View of Necker Island from Mosquito Island.

This is a piece of heaven for sure....

 

This is the current development of his house on the beach.  It will be gorgeous.  His goal with this development is to make it as ecology friendly as possible.

 

One More Feeding with Lemurs

I can't get enough of these little guys, so I went with Kelly and Wing to feed them at 4:30pm today (feeding time).

 

 

This is Kelly and Wing Lam (Wahoo Fish Taco founder) enjoying our furry friends.  Wing is a great example of breaking down barriers of culture and embracing possibilities....He is a Chinese man, born in Brazil, selling Mexican food.

 

Dreams Come True

Ever since last year when I read his book, Screw Business as Usual, and was so impressed with the number of amazing things Richard Bransonn was doing around the world to make it a much better place, I have wanted to meet him.   Not only have I got to meet him, but I have had the privilege of  getting to know him better and he is truly a great man.  Dreams come true!

Getting to and Enjoying Mosquito Island

Got an excellent workout in today, sea kayaking from Necker Island to Mosquito Island where we had the privilege of a biodiversity walk with two of the professors from Oxford.  It was a magnificent day - blue sky, sunshine, nice temps 26C.  Everyone had several choices how to get to Mosquito - power boat, sea kayaking, paddleboarding, or sailing.  Chris and I chose sea kayaking - we each had a kayak to ourselves, but kept together and had great fun!  Who knew a brilliant astrophysicist could also be so absolutely hilarious!

The biodiversity walk was led by Dr. Kathy Willis (left) and Dr. Charles Godfray (right) - they are showing us this enormous caterpillar which is going to turn into a moth about 1 1/2 the size of your hand.  Walking with Charles is like going on a walk with an encyclopia - incredible knowledge.  He jokes that he is really a 18th century naturalist.

That's Jack and Ludo in the background - they've been with us all week photographing and filming.  They are both Richard's nephews.  Super nice guys.  Their brother is the one that just married Kate Winslet.  Ludo did a documentary on the devastation of Madagascar that we saw one night, that he made for Richard.  Jack is the one who woke everyone up at the Great House when the lightning struck.  He was the only one who heard it.  If it hadn't been for him, there might have been a very tragic outcome.

 

After the biodiversity walk, we had a picnic lunch on the beach.

Charles is showing Richard the mating behaviors of some insects in this tree.  They are joined and one flies forward and one flies backward -the insects are in the picture, but unfortunately it looks like you can't see them. 

Here is the view from the beach from the picnic lunch.

Here is our Oxford academics and Richard.  From left to right is Dr Kathy Willis (biodiversity), Dr. Chris Lintott (cosmology),  Dr. Charles Godfrey (food farming/biology), Dr Sonia Trequeros (nanotechnology), and Dr. Ian Goldin (director of Oxford Martin School).  They are huge intellects and really nice people!

 

 

Breakfast with the Lemurs...You Gotta See This!

OMG, I got to go with the lemur caretaker this morning for their feeding.  It was fanastic!  These creatures are so special - I'm so happy that Richard has taken the time and effort to save them.  90% of Madagascar natural habitats have been destroyed through development, and with that - the demise of this beautiful species.  The are classified as prosimmian (before primates) - they are an ancient animal and humans have unfortunately put them in danger of becoming extinct.  For only 5 hours of 1 day in a year, are lemurs fertile - so reproduction is very challenging. 

I hope you enjoy these pic's - the video's are even better - I'll have to wait to post those to Facebook later.  If you want to have your mind blown, go the the last 4 photos.....caretaker explained what they are doing....unbelievable!!!

Once they know you have their breakfast, you are their new best friend.

How can you not love that face??

When they eat, they take a bite and then tilt their head back and chew so it can go down their throat better.

They love the bananas and grapes best, then they hit the vegetables.

Their hands are so velvety soft.

 

Ok here's the coolest possible thing I could have imagined.  Once they are done eating in the morning with you, they go and sit in lotus position, arms outstretch and let as much sunshine hit their belly.  Basically they do yoga and meditation every morning!!!  Totally amazing!

Here is the front view.

 

 Another one joins....

Then another joins...ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT!!!