Paying attention can change the world

Peace. Freedom. World understanding.

My parents -- and especially my tough dad with his big heart -- challenged my two younger brothers and me to embrace humanitarianism by their example even before I learned there was such a long word with limitless responsibility.

Today, with 12 years of Naperville Rotary membership under my belt in this topsy-turvy world, I've repeated one of the "will its" in the Rotary Four-Way Test hundreds of times: "Will it build goodwill and better friendships?"

Yet, whenever I sing the powerful words by Hal David, written for a 1966 film, I wonder, "What's it all about, Alfie? Is it just for the moment we live?"

I could sing more, but I'll spare you.

About six years ago on a Sunday afternoon, I listened to bawdy musical artist Oscar Brown, Jr. recount the evolution of his life and political thought at Naperville's Barnes and Noble Bookseller. Brown mesmerized me.

After his talk, I began to pay more attention.

Always curious, I became a better listener -- even better than when my dad passionately explained concepts such as the Austrian School of economics and the consequences of public policy when I was a teen.

Back then, whenever I came home from a date, my dad was always still up reading. He didn't fool me. I knew he was up waiting.

He'd refer to something he'd just read, usually something way over my head. We'd discuss it. He'd ask me to think.

Today, I cherish those late nights when I likely inherited my core values which find strength in individual liberty, limited government, free markets and peace.

Citing a mixed up world of distractions, Brown focused on the importance of undivided attention that Sunday. He looked all of us in the audience straight in the eye, much like my dad always does when he's focused on a topic.

Where am I going with this? More and more, when I pay attention, I'm fascinated how people are put and pulled together and how we end up in some places -- and not others.

Warriors Reach Out

In October, I received an e-mail in the wee morning hours from Joy Ross, vice principal at Waubonsie Valley High School.

Ross wrote about Warriors Reaching Out, a new stewardship program designed to give students volunteer opportunities around the globe.

She noted that, for the inaugural run, the Mosaic Choir Ensemble will travel in June to Cape Town, South Africa, in a cultural exchange with the LEAP Science and Math School and the GoLD HIV and AIDS peer-development organization.

Without knowing about my Warrior spirit (our three children are proud WVHS graduates), Ross invited me and others to meet John Gilmour, director of LEAP in the U.S.

I attended the enlightening presentation in the science lab that fall day and listened to the Mosaic Choir Ensemble perform.

And Warriors Reaching Out became a perfect fit for a Rotary Club of Naperville/Downtown $1,000 matching grant.

During my time in Rotary, Naperville clubs regularly have contributed to Rotary PolioPlus, an initiative launched in 1985 where volunteers have immunized 2 billion children in an attempt to eradicate the dreaded crippling disease once rampant in Africa.

For reasons mostly due to fear and lack of education, it's taken longer than anticipated to rid the world of polio. But since its inception, the idea was that when polio was sponged out in the world, Rotary would go to work on the "Plus" diseases such as AIDS.

Last Tuesday, the 12-member Mosaic Choir Ensemble performed at Stonebridge Country Club. Between inspirational songs, everyone present listened intently to heartfelt remarks by the young singers. They talked about having a voice, their journey and fighting AIDS.

Administrators chronicled the events of the past year that led to "We're going to South Africa!"

We learned that a large component of the cultural exchange is to furnish three libraries in Cape Town.

We also met Greg Forbes Siegman, the inspiration behind "The First Thirty," a book selected as the "Readers Choice" for Warriors Reaching Out. Siegman also is going to South Africa with the group. And that's another story.

The next Warriors Reaching Out fundraiser is slated for 7 p.m. April 26. The benefit concert will feature South African musician/guitarist/songwriter/poet and activist Vusi Mahlasela, known for songs that helped set his once-apartheid nation on a path for a better future.

One connection links to another.

"We all have the power to make a difference," Ross said.

"If we pay attention," I might add.