The most remarkable of these articles comes from Seth Godin. It’s remarkable because it was written nine years ago, but could have been written today and been just as relevant and inspiring.

The thing is, we still live in a world that’s filled with opportunity. In fact, we have more than an opportunity — we have an obligation. An obligation to spend our time doing great things. To find ideas that matter and to share them. To push ourselves and the people around us to demonstrate gratitude, insight, and inspiration. To take risks and to make the world better by being amazing.

Seth Godin – “The Chance of a Lifetime”

I may or may not post a “year-in-review” article, but I do know this: I’m in a  good place. I am lucky to be alive. I can’t wait to see what’s next. These are extraordinary times, marvelous times even.

Wherever you ride, whatever your name
This raw cold life is a beautiful thing
And we are alive in amazing times
Delicate hearts, diabolical minds

Revelations, hatred, love and war
And more and more and more and more
And more of less than ever before
It’s just too much more for your mind to absorb

It’s scary like hell but there’s no doubt
We can’t be alive in no time but now

Mos Def – “Life in Marvelous Times”

Sure, uncertainty and craziness persists, but that will never change. That’s life. It’s how you respond to the challenges that matters, right?

I’m choosing to do, rather than watch. I encourage you to do the same.

Congratulations Typekit

Please Don’t Call Them Avatars… Unless They Are Avatars – Word.

Can I Use – Great resource. Thanks Judy!

Learning 2011 Conference Backchannel – David Kelly does a great job with these collections

Omnifocus and Siri

Human Centered Design Toolkit – For years, businesses have used human-centered design to develop innovative solutions. Why not apply the same approach to overcome challenges in the nonprofit world? (via Jason)

Designing the Invisible

How To Think And Communicate Visually

Team Treehouse – What do you want to learn today?

Now Entering the Decade of Learning – Great link from Chad

Kurt Hanks – Paradigm mapping. Awesomness (via The Beard)

If we’re going to make our neighborhoods and communities better, if we’re going to improve the places we dwell… we need to be the heroes we’re seeking. You only become a hero by doing something brave, which requires you to have fear.

My advice to everyone: steer into the fear… and grow.

- Aaron Silvers: “Steer Into the Fear“

…we are a community. Let’s continue to fight for each other, encourage each other, and work together to make amazing things.

We are the 3rd-party family of Apple nerds. Let’s make a dent.

- Shawn Blanc: “3rd-Party Family”

I’m not going to be coy about it. Steve Jobs has made things that have been part of my life since I was six years-old. The man, through his craft, influenced the man I’m still becoming.

- Aaron Silvers: “Influence“

A brilliant man has exited 1 Infinite Loop. But his influence will be felt for years to come. Just watch this.

Sacrifice does not mean giving up something for nothing; it means giving up one thing for something else we believe is worth more.

- Art of Manliness: “The Law of Sacrifice”

Are you sacrificing enough to do those things that are worth more to you?

It is extremely easy to be extremely busy at being extremely distracted.

- James Shelley

Exactly. I don’t want to hear how busy you are (note to self: stop telling people how busy I am). If it is important to you, you’ll sacrifice other things to make it happen. But you must focus to do so.

I learned how easy it was to hone-in my energy and just focus on one thing. Do that one thing with all my attention, and then it’ll be done! Simple. It’s all a matter of intention, decision, and discipline to follow through.

Focus – How to Get It Done

Tina’s article is full of wonderful tips on focus, productivity, de-cluttering, etc.

Recently, I’ve been trying to focus on accomplishing smaller tasks to achieve larger goals. I have a feeling a lot of you are in the same boat; with multiple projects, families and some kind of social life (online or face to face), we’re all “busy.” We can all use Tina’s advice on focusing and completing tasks, instead of just thinking about them.

That being said, as I finished the article and considered posting about it, I kept going back and reading the last part, quoted below.

“Enjoy this moment. This moment is all that we have. It is only in this moment that Life happens. Treasure it, bless it, thank it, and live it. Live it fully … regardless of what you’re doing.”

That moment for me earlier today was my daughter’s excitement over her music notebook and a new song she wrote. That moment for me right now is the pleasure I get from writing, regardless of who is reading on the other end.

I guess my point here is, like Tina says, “regardless of what you’re doing”, try to make the most of it, and enjoy the small things while they’re happening.

A friend posted this today:

“I challenge all of you to stop for at least 1:56 sometime today and just get lost in something of enjoyment. Even if it’s lying on your back in the grass watching the clouds.”

Be good, people.

Section 508 compliance is important, but we’re doing this because equal opportunity is simply the right thing to do.

via Fresh Ink.

Excellent. That’s how it should be. Don’t do it to be compliant. Do it because it’s the right thing to do for EVERYONE.

It is for this reason I refuse to spend even one moment too many in a job I do not like or doing something that I do not enjoy. The work we do should add value to our lives in the form of growth, compassion or fulfillment.

- Patrick Rhone » My Manifesto: Time is precious

Oldie but a goodie. Spend more time with your friends, family or yourself this week. Be good. Enjoy the moments. Think you’re “too busy”? Get over it. Try to remove that phrase from your vocabulary.

Then, remove the tasks/jobs that are making you too busy to enjoy a few meaningful moments.

1. They are made in America. Right here in Texas.
2. They give back to they community and the world, as shown in this video. Awesome.

Check out their YouTube channel for more. Then, go buy something awesome, that will last forever.

I’m waiting on the funds, but one of their products may be the only thing that I buy this year that’s not an iPad 2 or Macbook Air.

Found this gem from 52 Tiger:

That’s why I love the holidays: It’s a time for families to come together, set their expectations unrealistically high, and fantasize about a holiday experience that is perfectly wonderful…

- “We Ride the Polar Express and it Stinks” by Daddy Daze

Good stuff.

My takeaway: keep it simple, relax, and do the best that you can.

Think about this as you go through this holiday season. What is truly meaningful to you? What message do you want to send your kids and/or grandkids? You have a wonderful opportunity!

Let’s change it up, give back, and keep this season simple and fun, remembering its true value is in the friends and family you celebrate with.

Look, there are a lot of reasons to give back to society. A lot of us do, a lot of us don’t. It’s a personal choice. Here’s my pitch for giving back:

Consider how lucky you are. If you’re even reading this post, you’re so lucky it’s ridiculous. You have power. You have the internet. You have a smart phone, an iPad or a computer. That alone puts you at a great advantage over the majority of the people on this planet. Most of you have a job that pays you more than $5 per day.

You’re lucky.

Consider the magnitude of this. You have an incredible opportunity to do good. To be good. To help someone that is not as fortunate as you. It’s simple. Donate $1. Donate $100. Volunteer. Write a blog post about a charity. Share this link on Facebook or Twitter. It doesn’t matter. It’s simple.

Give back.

If you’d like to give back, and want to join in the official charity for Blog Action Day, use the widget below. Otherwise, check out Charity Water, Village Learning and Achievement Center, or Serve.

In an attempt to generate some new money for charity, I’m throwing out a ridiculously cheap hosting coupon code for Dreamhost.

Use coupon code REDONK (short for redonkulous) to get $87 off a year of hosting, or other discounts on different plans.

For the rest of 2010, all proceeds will go to charity (Charity:Water, American Diabetes Association, Kiva, or make a suggestion in the comments).

So if you need hosting, or know someone who does, send them here (use coupon code REDONK)!

A plea to those who enjoy giving this time of year:

Patrick posted this over at Minimal Mac and it got me thinking.

All of this stuff will generate a bunch of stuff to be thrown away or recycled. Wrapping, packaging, spent gift cards – they all have to end up somewhere. Not to mention all of the stuff we had to build and machines we run in order to make the stuff we give and receive.Then once the season is over, in fact the very next day, comes the inevitable stuff we have to return (for cash to buy stuff if you have the receipt, exchange for different stuff if not).

Last year, we pledged $50 each (half our gift budget) to a charity, and cut down on gifts. We’re doing the same thing this year, and, again, I ask friends and family to consider donating to charity or the kids’ college funds in place of more stuff.

We have enough stuff. We need less of it. I’m trying to minimize. If it’s meaningful, functional and worthwhile, awesome. If it’s frivolous or wasteful, save the money and put it to better use, please.

Think about all the good we can do! We welcome the generosity, but would like to redirect it to something more substantial, that’s all.

Thanks in advance!

Right now, you can get FOUR of their themes for the price of ONE. Sweet!

They have spectacular designers on their roster, and they provide great and timely support. I highly recommend them.

Get in before October and two things happen.

1. Use my affiliate link and I’ll get a kickback, 100% of which goes to charity for the rest of October. (and 50% after).
2. WooThemes is donating a portion of October proceeds to charity, too.

It’s win-win-win. You get great themes, I give to charity, and WooThemes gives to charity. Awesome.

** All of my October affiliate revenue is going to charity (because I love boobs), so feel free to try out some of the other service and resource providers in my sidebar!

Anyhow, I’ll get to the point. Don’t be a chump. Don’t wait for a bailout. Pay back your debt, and do it in this order:

1. Friends: because you don’t want to be “that” guy.
2. Family: because you may need them to loan it back in the future.
3. Credit Cards: because they are brutal.
4. Automobile: because car payments suck.
5. Other (mortgage, student loans, etc.): because they are, typically, fair and manageable investments.

“How do I do this?” You might ask. Easy:

• Buy a used car. (And join a credit union so you’ll get a better rate).
• Go out to eat (or, especially, drink) one or two fewer times per week.
• Quit with the Starbucks (or variation). Brew at home, and buy a nice to-go cup. Like the specialty drinks? Have you seen the flavors the creamer companies have come out with recently. Buy some.
• Drop the gym membership. Be honest, you don’t really use it, anyway (if you’re in the 5% who actually do, kudos to you). Do some pushups and crunches, jump rope, ride a bike. Do yoga at home.
• Get a cell plan that fits your usage. One should never EVER pay overage fees or excessive texting fees.

Keep it simple. There are plenty of ways to save a few bucks here and there so you can take care of that pesky debt. Get creative. Most importantly, do it. However you have to. Do it.

Many developers (Brian, Veerle, etc.) go Pink for October. I’m doing the same, and if you’re in the market for a theme, take a look at WooThemes. One, they are awesome themes. Two, they are great people and offer incredible support.

I already donate 50% of all revenue generated on this site to charity. In addition, for October, if you use my WooThemes affiliate link, not only will WooThemes make their donation, but I will donate 100% of my referral revenue to Susan G. Komen For the Cure.

Don’t need a WordPress theme? Check out TweetForBoobs.

You can go to Kiva’s website and lend to someone across the globe who needs a loan for their business – like raising goats, selling vegetables at market or making bricks. Each loan has a picture of the entrepreneur, a description of their business and how they plan to use the loan so you know exactly how your money is being spent – and you get updates letting you know how the entrepreneur is going.

The best part is, when the entrepreneur pays back their loan you get your money back – and Kiva’s loans are managed by microfinance institutions on the ground who have a lot of experience doing this, so you can trust that your money is being handled responsibly.

It’s finally easy to actually do something about poverty – using Kiva I know exactly who my money is loaned to and what they’re using it for. And most of all, I know that I’m helping them build a
sustainable business that will provide income to feed, clothe, house and educate their family long after my loan is paid back.

Join me in changing the world – one loan at a time.

Thanks!

P.S. If you are in the learning industry, you can donate as part of the Learning Ninjas team.

Also, check out Nuru while you’re in a giving mood.

Millions of people die each year from malaria – but there’s a simple, life-saving solution, and all it takes is $10 to buy a bed net, distribute it to a family, and explain its use.

You can help support me by making a secure online donation. Click on the link below to help prevent malaria:

For more information on how YOU can participate in Nothing But Nets, please visit us at www.NothingButNets.net

Thanks for your support!

I just read a very good article from the Times. There are many valuable points made about making the effort, however small – like helping a nonprofit get set up with Twitter and Facebook – to help make this world a better place. I’ve tried to work with my kids on this, and have been fairly successful.

I recently took my son (9) to the Village Learning and Achievement Center, the local nonprofit (where I volunteer) he chose back in January in lieu of presents (yes, we’re slightly tardy in our delivery).

He had an amazing experience with the director giving him a tour and meeting some of their clients. He did really well, and I was proud of him. He came out of there, and said, “that place was really cool.”

Anyhow, just wanted to share, and encourage you to talk to your kids, your friends, even your parents and coworkers, about doing something good and meaningful in this world.

Every dollar helps, every minute of time volunteering helps, in some way, to make this place better for all of us, and especially our kids.