G Routine

Can you feel it? Maybe it's just me, but I think good things are to come. I watch the news, talk with people, and see things that give me hope for society and the world.

So many things have been going wrong or there seemed like a negative trend in so many areas. But lately I sense a trend break. People and companies finally realizing that the government isn't going to do it for them. That each and every individual has to be a part of a greater good. People taking it upon themselves to make a difference.

Whether it was the war in Iraq, the corruptness of the US government, the media only reporting on death, destruction, and negativity or people being so busy and messed up that they only had time to care for themselves. I don't know what it is, but I feel like there has been a subtle shift. Maybe it's just me and my outlook, but I'm starting to see and hear about more good deeds.

Part of this topic comes from a conversation I had with some friends a while back. Am I an environmentalist? My answer was a 'yes'. But then I was challenged on what things I did to make a difference to better the environment? This lead us to defining what it meant to believe in a good cause and what it meant to be an activist.

Being an environmentalist is a tainted word that the media and far right made dirty. Now it's more appropriate to say your 'green'. I'm in marketing and I think there isn't a difference. It's just what's more socially acceptable and how it's spun in the media. These type of discussions are healthy, and made me realize that reading Al Gore's book was one thing, but living by it totally another.

I think it's great that Al Gore is nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize. It just goes to show that people realize all the nay-sayers were bought by big business. If you don't think global warming is for real, then you've been programed. Sorry, but that's just my belief.

What will be interesting to see is how fast things change. Unfortunately it will happen the fastest for the wrong reasons, when it becomes profitable. You can already see it. But just as one knows the difference between right and wrong, people will know what companies are doing good because they believe in what their doing versus it being good for their bottom line.

I guess the other reason for this entry is my friends new company, GIV. It is based on the values and ideals that I have recently embraced. It's about a collective of friends and like minded individuals that share a love for art, nature, and those things good. It's about, "GIV more, GIV back". There are other companies out there doing it for the right reasons. If you haven't read "Let My People Go Surfing", by the founder of Patagonia, you should. It's more about how to run a business and do good for all people and the world you live in. It's a business model more than, "look at my successful business I built" type of book.

If you have time, check my friend Peter's company out at: www.givbrand.com. It was good to see you in Vegas Peter. I wish you success in business and life. Cheers buddy.