Linked thru Leonard: A Movement for World Peace: PHASE II
When last we left Leonard, our CRUSTACEAN with a CAUSE,
he was hanging around at the Hyannis Harbor, being interviewed about impending storms (above), meeting people, making friends, and getting out and about in the world.
By the end of the Summer of 2016, Leonard was living in ALL 50 states, Puerto Rico & DC, AND in 31 other countries! (see map)
We celebrated with cake! (right)
At some point, I started telling folks about my vision for PHASE II of the project. For the most part, people seemed to really like the idea, and even said they'd participate! So...here's the vision.
he was hanging around at the Hyannis Harbor, being interviewed about impending storms (above), meeting people, making friends, and getting out and about in the world.
By the end of the Summer of 2016, Leonard was living in ALL 50 states, Puerto Rico & DC, AND in 31 other countries! (see map)
We celebrated with cake! (right)
At some point, I started telling folks about my vision for PHASE II of the project. For the most part, people seemed to really like the idea, and even said they'd participate! So...here's the vision.
PHASE II: a Road Trip with LEONARD
Phase II seeks to strengthen LINKS thru LEONARD: people to people, and concept to life as we live it.
THE VEHICLE
All good road trips begin with a well suited vehicle. My 2001 Jeep Cherokee was well-suited for my exodus from professional and conventional life and the road trip that followed. Now, 6 years later, my faithful four-wheeled friend boasts 231,000 miles, and just does't feel up to any more long trips. And that's okay.
Phase II seeks to strengthen LINKS thru LEONARD: people to people, and concept to life as we live it.
THE VEHICLE
All good road trips begin with a well suited vehicle. My 2001 Jeep Cherokee was well-suited for my exodus from professional and conventional life and the road trip that followed. Now, 6 years later, my faithful four-wheeled friend boasts 231,000 miles, and just does't feel up to any more long trips. And that's okay.
This phase of Linked thru Leonard: a movement for world peace, warrants a special vehicle...a "Leonard Mobile."
The vehicle needs to be something I could sleep in when necessary, carry supplies appropriate to cover a variety of needs and conditions during a long road trip, and perhaps most importantly, could sport Leonard on its sides.
I have in mind something like the mock-up pictured to the left.
THE STOPS
The trip will be loosely organized around locations of people already Linked thru Leonard who agree to meet and talk with me, or to host a Linked thru Leonard event when I get to their area (communications to gather that list in progress!)
During visits with people I'll see where Leonard lives, find out whether his people are still talking with him, and chat a bit about peace and everyday life. Before leaving, I'll ask my 'host' to write a letter for me to deliver to the next person I visit. And, I'll hand this host a letter written by the last. Handwritten letters only! No technology. Old school. Pen or crayon or marker or pencil to paper.
We might call it a "chain-LINKED-thru-LEONARD-letter."
During events, I'll offer talks, lead activities, and facilitate discussion groups - all with a focus on connection, compassion, communication, and clear seeing. Oh, and creativity (generating 'anything,' and thinking outside the box!). Of course, all who attend an event will then be Linked thru Leonard (well...only if they agree to the terms!). We'll talk about LEONARD - how the project began, highlights from LEONARD moments (like the first time someone stopped me and said "Hey, you're LEONARD's mom!" then went on to explain the whole concept of being connecting to people around the world and peace. He was 10!), what he teaches us about connecting, about perspective, about our own beliefs and values.
SHARING
I'll chronicle the journey and share stories from the road (a blog? video?) - focusing on the people I meet, the people who are LINKED thru LEONARD, and the learning that surely will happen along the way. Surely there will come a time when I'll do something with the letters written and delivered. A coffee table book? And everyone who I meet and talk with along the way, well...they'll have the original of the letter I passed to them!
*NOTE: ALL proceeds from LEONARD sales go toward launching Phase II and furthering the Linked thru Leonard project and its mission to create a more peaceful world through intentional cultivation of connections, compassion, communication, and clear-seeing.