This timelapse of Yosemite just blew me away. The world is such a beautiful place, isn't it? Especially when you slow down and pay attention to the details. Cheers to Sheldon Neill and Colin Delehanty of Project, Yosemite for bringing this stunning piece to life. 

If the sight of blue skies fills you with joy, if a blade of grass springing up in the fields has power to move you, if the simple things of nature have a message that you understand, rejoice, for your soul is alive. -Eleonora Duse

The Holstee Manifesto Lifecycle Video has made to the next step in the brilliant "TED's Ads Worth Spreading" challenge!! It is an honor to be included in the line up with such an incredible selection of videos.

December 20th is recognized by the United Nations as International Human Solidarity Day, observing that we exist as part of a larger world with global concerns that need global solutions. This is the first video that comes to mind when I think about the common ties that bind us as global citizens. Today marks a celebration of solidarity through the decisions we make everyday, but also the celebration of the unity and beauty of diversity. This amazing video captures that quite well. :)

“In a world of common challenges, no nation can succeed on its own; but by working together in common cause, we can build a safer, more prosperous future for all. Solidarity must be the foundation for global solutions.” -Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Message for International Human Solidarity Day 20 December 2011

I love the power of spoken word to challenge and inspire in a way that sends shivers down your spine. This one by the talented Anis Mojgani is a powerful reminder that whoever you are, wherever you are at, and in the midst of whatever you are going through--shake the dust.

Check out this video of Dave and Mike speaking at the TEDx East Hampton event from this past July. Speaking on "The Economy of Values," they were able to share the passion and inspiration behind the founding of Holstee and the words of the Manifesto. The guys had a great time and were glad to be able to share what we are all about! Woohoo!

Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive. -Howard Thurman

Life is Simple. Your wallet should be too.

Directed, edited + animated by @ilyaspektor, our famous and highly prized Agent99. 

BOOOOOOOOM!! 

The Nomading Film Festival (NoFF) believes that stories caught on film, while traveling, are some of the most entertaining, educating, beautiful and authentic, and that these stories should be shared, acknowledged and awarded. NoFF thinks of travel less as a leisure activity and more as a chance to explore the planet and engage those living therein. NoFF believes traveling shapes us, traveling defines us, traveling connects us. 

At Holstee, we also recognize the power of travel to further push one's cultural, emotional, physical, mental and spiritual horizon lines and echo the same thoughts in the Manifesto. 

Travel often; getting lost will help you find yourself.

This Saturday, June 18, will be the inaugural event for NoFF, so if you happen to be in New York City, don't miss out! Tix include live music, tacos, beer/wine, giveaways, 2 screenings, games and more. 

Ever since I spent my first year out of college teaching at a charter school (which is essentially a privately funded public school operating outside the state defined curriculum) in South Central, Los Angeles, I have become more and more interested in systems of education, particularly within the United States (...the wealthiest country in the world). 

The way I see it, teachers and students are more valuable than market shares, stocks, IPOs and GDP, as teachers and students are people. Yes, my rationale is that simple.

Of course, market share and stocks and IPOs and GDP are produced by people, educated people, and so investing early in young people eventually pays itself back. But the road of human economic potential, contribution and worth is long and windy and I'd rather not go there today. 

It pains me to realize that most well educated, passionate and ambitious people will choose professions outside of education, as I hold education and society's youth as the most valued resource in any culture, most often because a teaching career is not based, nor awarded, on merit, but rather patience and one's ability to put up with nonsense and bad parenting. 

I left education because I was too exhausted, stressed and frustrated by the system, but am thrilled to see successful people like Salaman Khan make significant contributions that keep the conversation going as to how we can improve education in the richest country in the world. And for the record, I myself want to again play a part in further developing greater education. I just need to find what I can give. 

Salman Khan talks about how and why he created the remarkable Khan Academy, a carefully structured series of educational videos offering complete curricula in math and, now, other subjects. He shows the power of interactive exercises, and calls for teachers to consider flipping the traditional classroom script -- give students video lectures to watch at home, and do "homework" in the classroom with the teacher available to help.

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