Polianiac

It has been a long week. Last night, I waited in the lobby with five other residents for that one last elevator ride that would take us “home”. Normally the lobby is bustling. People talk on their cell phones, work their Blackberry, or read mail while waiting for the elevator. Last night we all resembled “Night of the Living Dead”. One woman looked over to me with pained eyes and said, “I am so tired.” I nodded in agreement while wistfully suggesting, “Maybe it is the weather, but I feel it too.” She looked down as she moved closer and quietly whispered, “No, I think it is this time, these are not good times.”

I nodded back reluctantly. I knew what she meant, although I never want to admit it. This has been a hard week for the American people. We have encountered an awakening about ourselves. The flagrant chasm between philosophies can no longer be denied or ignored. The economic crisis merely illuminates it by shining a light of attention toward a condition we still do not know, as a people, how to talk about.

There is a young man named Elliot Barnes who lives in the U.K. Elliot is eight years old and has been the host of his own weekly podcast for well over a year. I had the privilege of speaking with Elliot and his father a few weeks back. We did encounter a transatlantic communications challenge that day, but we stuck with it. I listened to Elliot’s podcast this morning, containing his interview with me along with other wonderful guests. This episode was truly an international conversation that I found compelling. Eight year old Elliot Barnes brought people together from all over the globe; and produced an uplifting exchange of ideas and knowledge which celebrates our collective like-ness.

This week my hero is Elliot Barnes, host of Sparklecast — never more than one-click away! That makes me smile!