I will build bridges

Drive a mile up my street in Montecito heading towards the Santa Ynez Mountains, take a hard right on Cold Spring Rd at the fire station, and head up through the beautiful old oaks, past the vast estates, and you will come to Westmont, a liberal arts Christian college of around 1,300 students spread across 100 magnificent acres. 

My wife Carla and son Luke have spent many evenings there at the observatory during eclipses and other galactic events. While I have met the affable and engaging president Gayle Beebe, I haven't had that much to do with the university, even though it is just up the street. 

Last year while in my homeland of South Africa I was on a fundraising mission for Ohlange School, the first school started by a black man in South Africa, John Dube, who went on to found major political parties, African National Congress (he was the first president) and Inkatha. The school was where Nelson Mandela voted for democracy in 1994 so the school has a special significance for many South Africans.

Through a circuitous route via a local Rotary club, Paul Bradford, Director of Career Development at Westmont heard about the initiative while with his class on a trip to Singapore and donated funds and his class matched the donation. I was stoked as was the principal of Ohlange, Justice Mtshali - his daughters made a touching video.

When Paul returned to Santa Barbara I discovered he was a keen surfer as was the school's minister, Scott Lisea. They gave me the results of an interesting survey of 150 students on what they most fear and asked me to present my perspective and Code Method - my simple system for finding and defining purpose. Fear of failure, rejection, not being loved, and not finding purpose were profound reminders of the psychological challenges that students face in their daily lives. I thought perhaps my perspective and method might help.

Last night I drove up the hill to the college and connected with around 100 students over pizza in an intimate setting. After I spoke each student wrote their Code - 12 lines, each line beginning with "I will...". 12 statements, 12 commitments, 12 promises of passion, power and purpose. After writing their 12 lines, each student read one line aloud to the group, the line that was most resonant to them, a line that would sing with purpose, commitment, spirit, faith and accountability.

I have done this same sharing and connecting process with many thousands of students and people in corporations - everyone writes poetry of the soul - I call it spirit language. Each line is like a beautiful thread that reminds me of the treasured middle eastern prayer rug we have displayed near our front door. What always fascinates me is the last line read aloud in the group, the final thread in the tapestry- a singular statement that ties together all the threads that came before. It is always profound and it always ends the session on a perfectly uplifting note.

This time the last line came from Scott Lisea, Westmont's minister and was both a prayer and a commitment for our troubled nation.

"I will build bridges."

Here are the other lines from the students and last night everyone rode the positive wave of inspiration that they all produced in that little room.

Enjoy...

I will be the person I want my kids to become.

I will always respect myself

I will forgive and resolve problems

I will never lose a curious mind

I will seek growth

I will love those who are harder to love.

I will be a positive leader

I will be encouraging to others

I will never be satisfied...ever

I will call on the Lord

I will sing praise and thanks in the midst of the storm

I will not waste my potential!

I will never look down

I will not let my pride get in my way

I will show grace for myself and others

I will always strive to be my best

I will create to contribute to a better future

I will give back.

I will always be there for my friends.

I will be original

I will be compassionate before I'm critical

I will live in the present moment

I will pursue everyday with passion

I will be kind to others

I will love & respect everyone

I will start each day with a grateful heart.

I will always paddle back out

I will be intentional

I will live uncomfortably

I will make time for those who need it

I will not be a bystander

I will always put those I love before myself

I will always take the risk.

I will seek truth in all things

I will build up others

I will one day experience a surfing lesson with W.C. Shaun Tomson

I will do everything as if I'm doing it for the lord

I will relax

I will be still

I will let my let my life be guided by faith.

I will never play the blame game

I will be a knight of faith.

I will be grateful for every opportunity

I will seek God's presence in His creation daily

I will let joy spill out of me

I will not allow complacency to rot intent

I will make the most of every opportunity

I will tell fear to shut up

I will always seek to put the Lord first in my life

I will be honest with myself and others

I will always keep moving forward

I will build bridges