Even though the future seems far away,
It is actually beginning right now.
And while we are living in the present,
We must celebrate life everyday.
Knowing that we are becoming history
With every word, every action, every moment.
Because we, today, are the history of tomorrow.
– Mattie J.T. Stepanek, 10 years old, 2000
(Published in USA TODAY, May 29, 2007)
Friday night, I attended an event for one of the most inspiring organizations I have ever encountered! The Three Dot Dash organization is a global initiative of the We Are Family Foundation. It is designed to support the efforts of teens from around the world, who are actively developing and working on projects that promote a more peaceful world by addressing issues related to basic human needs.
Each year, the foundation selects and invites the teens, who are nominated by NGOs and other qualified organizations and deemed Global Team Leaders, to participate in an innovative year-round leadership and mentoring program. The program teaches teen leaders how to “tell their stories” effectively using various forms of media, current technology, and distribution methods in order to accelerate their leadership potential, advance their projects, mobilize peers, and amplify their work to broader global audiences. Three Dot Dash creates a sustainable worldwide network of individuals, corporations, and nonprofit organizations to further the efforts of young leaders by harnessing the power of media, mentoring, and social networking to foster public participation around the globe.
I was moved to tears to hear the story of the extraordinary, late Mattie J.T. Stepanek. Mattie was a poet, peacemaker, and prophet. He suffered from Dysautonomic Mitochondrial Myopathy, a rare form of muscular dystrophy. Yet he spent most of his too short Life promoting peace through his poetry. Mattie believed in global family and the theory that peace is possible. However, he felt that in order to promote peace, one must be peaceful inside. And, in order for one to be peaceful inside, one must have his/her basic human needs met: food, water, health, shelter, safety, education and the environment. Published in his six New York Times bestselling books “Heartsongs,” his words expressed universal messages of hope and peace. His writings were spread internationally with the help of his mentors and public media figures, including Oprah, Maya Angelou, former President Jimmy Carter, and Larry King. Mattie left our physical realm in 2004 at the age of 13, but his beautiful Spirit will live with us forever. His last book, “Just Peace: A Message of Hope,” co-written with Jimmy Carter was published posthumously and is the inspiration for the Three Dot Dash organization.
To find out more about this incredible organization and these amazing teens go to: http://threedotdash.org/
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