David Schmidt is a longtime Heartstormer from AZ. I presented a two day group creativity workshop that turned out to include only  men. It must be ten years ago. The group has continued to meet in some form or another over the years. He sent me the following email which touches me deeply. I pass this along in the spirit of give-away. Thanks David.

Hey Ian-

Good to hear from you. I am thinking of buying a pony and a blanket. Blue on one side and pink on the other and heading down to the local parks on Saturday afternoons. The pony will double as a lawnmower. I still have not not figured out the “road apples” issue!

Just kidding of course. I have been learning to reinvent myself just like every one else. Using the web a lot and being a little more forgiving with rights and usage. Not stupid but cautious.

I am not sure why I am passing this along but I have young kids now and I have started to think a little more about the future. I did a men’s group with Doug Crouch, Rick Gayle and a few more participants from our original workshop way back when. Anyway, one of our exercises was to write our own obit. We never did finish it off but I did start think about what others would say about me at my funeral. “He took really pretty pictures” was not going to cut it for me and that bullshit that so many photographers use about capturing somebody’s soul makes me gag.

Of all the strange things that has kept me going is I started a “Pennies For Peace” program in my kids school. It is based on the book “Three Cups of Tea” by Greg Mortenson.

Go to http://www.penniesforpeace.org/

Anyway it has gotten me more excited about the world than photography has in quite a while. Just thought I would pass that info along in case anyone else on your list has been struggling. Funny thing is, it has gotten me more excited about photography again as well.

Feel free to pass this along if you think it will help.

Asalaam-o-Alaikum (Peace be with you)

David Schmidt

What are you feeling right now? You have all heard of this exercise, but have you ever done it? What would it say in your obit? How will you make a difference? Post your response now while it is fresh in your mind as a comment.

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