Our International Day of Love

My Sweet Amie-

Today I remember the most powerful moment of my life when the foundations for a life to come were laid. I didn't fully understand their significance then, and I am still learning about it now, for the influence that this love was to have on the subsequent events of my life were monumental. I reflect now on the course of my life over the last four years, and realize how much different it would have been without you. Honestly, I question whether or not I would actually be in Oman if I hadn't of met you - for you inspired and pushed me to search for something greater than I was, and to continually improve the man I was trying to become.

I remember falling in love with your beauty - your beautiful eyes, your beautiful hair, your beautiful smile, your beautiful skin... but before all that, I remember falling in love with your Soul - a purity like nothing else I had before experienced, yet unmatched throughout my travels and searches ever since.

April 7, 2004 was the moment that my world came alive, through the eyes and heart of another - through you Amie, My Beloved Friend.

Innovation and Entrepreneurship

With some Soul.

I just got back from a long weekend in Dubai attending the World Summit on Innovation and Entrepreneurship. The experience was enlightening, invigorating, inspiring, motivating and above all else, empowering. In fact, if there ever were just the right medicine for what was ailing my drifting Soul, this was it. And right at a time when I was feeling dragged down and deflated in Oman.

I have so many things to remember and take away from this Summit - but I choose to sum it up with one statement. Living with a purpose.

This statement is what drove the spirit of the three days from April 1-3. Straight from the mouths of a sampling of the worlds movers and shakers including business leaders, government ministers and officials, NGO leaders, entertainers and spiritual motivators - all gathered together with a common interest in Innovation and Entrepreneurship with a purpose - Innovation for Peace. People spoke with such passion and energy, determination and foresight, about gathering together around each others' goals and initiatives to drive further innovation for the benefit of the global society. They spoke so passionately and intently that I actually believed them. More importantly, they asked the right questions and gave the right answers that I actually began to believe again that I too, am working for and have a purpose driven by the same things.

AIESEC representatives were invited to provide a youth element to the conversations. It was truly a privilege to represent AIESEC and simply to be present in such an engaging environment. Thank you to AIESEC for that opportunity, as well as the Global Leadership Team for recognizing the value that AIESEC can bring to such discussions and gatherings.

What I think I will remember the most out of this experience is this single phrase that the Minister of Information Technology from Mauritius kept repeating. It was throughout his conversation with the Executive Vice President of Deutsche Post - himself an AIESEC Alum - about the costs of leadership on the people that choose to rise through it. The Minister kept repeating, "What we need is more value-driven people in this world." It was clear through the conversation tone and setting, that the values he wanted were basic respect and understanding for life and humanity supported by the will to serve your neighbor, and to do good for good's sake.

I am reinvigorated and ready to approach my life renewed. I am bringing this energy and passion that I have rediscovered back to Oman with the commitment to live my life here with purpose, and to never overlook the opportunities here for discovery and learning - about myself and the world that surrounds me. Yes, I am brining it back with some more Soul.