Yes

I brought a book to work yesterday to share for some inspiration for a campaign we were developing around adventure travel -- it was a book my friend Dave had written called "100 Things to Do Before You Die." The picture above with Dave is from the Venice Beach Drum circle, a ritualistic event of various sub-cultures, something I was surprised not to make the book knowing Dave's leanings for such things.

When Dave died unexpectedly, a year and a half ago, the story that ran in the LA Times ran all over the world as the headline was so powerful: "Author of 100 Things to do before you die dies at age 47." I remember telling a few people that my friend had died and they would say "oh, your friend was that guy??" as they heard the story on CNN, morning radio, People Magazine, Fortune. Friends from our ad agency reported seeing it run in papers in India, the UK, Australia.

The idea behind the book that launched a host of imitators, as well as film and TV shows concepts, wasn't that popular at the time. A few of my friends received the book for Christmas that year as I bought several under the friends and family discount plan, and Dave signed them for me. It was based on the content of Dave's website, "Whatsgoingon.com", which reported on the coolest place on Earth for the day. Ahead of its time, for a few not everyone, and very, very Dave.

Leafing through the book yesterday morning on the subway, I smiled to see my friend's familiar handwriting inside the front cover. First a time, but no date "12.00." then "Laura! Get Fast! Keep Moving. Don't Waste a Precious Moment. Dave." It made me laugh, then and now, because I knew he was referencing to the very earnest collateral copy we were working with for Fast Company magazine for their "Talent Lab" event in San Francisco. Talent Lab was all about helping you tap into 'The brand called you!', though....ill timed. Between the original green light for the event and when it was actually executed, the winds had already started to shift in the late 90's in the Bay Area, with rumblings of "liberations" (layoffs) as my friend Dave, the sage, would say.

Since Dave passed away, every once in a while, I feel his presence. Not exactly in an Obi Wan Kenobi way, but more of a big brother, kick in the pants, 'get fast, keep moving' feeling.

Maybe not coincidentally, I had seen something written by Joseph Campbell, also yesterday, which prompted me to open up my well loved book "The Power of Myth" and leaf through a few pages last night after I got home. Even without reading the book, many people are familiar with the concept of following your bliss, which Campbell writes about as being the center of the wheel not the spokes, "...For example, if you attach yourself to the rim of the wheel of fortune, you will either be above going down or at the bottom coming up....If you follow your bliss, you put yourself on a kind of track that has been there all the while, waiting for you, and the life that you ought to be living is the one you are living."

As Dave would say, "It's happening with or without you."

What caught my eye yesterday from Joseph Campbell was this: "The big question is whether you are going to be able to say a hearty yes to your adventure."

Happy Earth Day everyone. Enjoy our beautiful planet that all 8 billion of us share, and all the inspiration it brings.