Grant R. Nieddu

2012-02-03T12:54:00.001-05:00

Just finished my Kickstarter video editing, and submitted my kickstarter proposal for approval. This thing is about to happen!! BE READY!

2012-02-03T11:47:00.001-05:00

Just sitting at Starbucks, editing my video for my Kickstarter book launch of H.O.P.E. from Here to Haiti. SWEET!

2012-02-02T17:57:00.001-05:00

Adobe: I love your tools, but your everything else ANGERS ME! Download x to download y. Enter my ID 100 x's. hatetoneedADOBE

2012-02-01T16:41:00.001-05:00

Just booked to speak at Highlands United Methodist Church. BAM! Thanks, Thomas!

2011-12-10T16:08:00.001-05:00

Rohn: We must all suffer 1 of 2 things: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret or disappointment. Guillebeau http://bit.ly/sLIJF5

How +Jason Northington Explodes Significance

2011-12-06T07:56:00.000-05:00

+Jason Northington talks a bit about making it about others. He tells the story of how a patio umbrella from Chick-fil-A ended up at his car.

This is the 3rd part of a 4-part interview with Jason.
See the other videos at www.StateoftheSpark.com.

Spark Interview - Jason Northington - Explode

Spark Inverview:Ignite Session - Jason Northington

2011-12-01T11:01:00.000-05:00

Here is Jason Northington continuing his Spark Interview. He discusses the Ignite Phase of his success with The Architect of WOW! and how he creates success for others. The challenges he faced and barrels in the desert.

Spark Interview - Jason Northington - Ignite

TESOL progress so far.

2011-11-30T07:16:00.001-05:00

Holy Cow! Only 5% through The Cambridge Guide to Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages by Carter & Nunan! I guess that means the material is thorough!

I have loved the training. My good friend, +David Gruber & his wife, Lindsey, recommended American TESOL Institute, and I have been very happy with the education so far. (The design remains to be improved a little bit, but you can't judge e learning by its cover, I guess.)

2011-11-27T15:36:00.001-05:00

Does anyone know of a killer designer ready & able to design a book for launch in January?

Spark Interview:Spark Session with Jason Northington

2011-11-24T09:50:00.000-05:00

Check out the the full video of the Spark Interview:Spark Session with +Jason Northington , the Architect of WOW!

Spark Interview - Jason Northington - Spark.m4v

The Spark Interview Project - Jason Northington, The Architect of WOW in Lakeland, FL.

Grant Ryan Nieddu, the Chief Spark Ignitier of State of the Spark, is interviewing people around the world who are making a difference and living a sparked life of philanthropia to help those just starting out. Grant's goal is to interview 1 person in every state in the United States, and 1 person in every country in the world over the next 5 years.

To join the mission, learn more about humanitarianism, philanthropia or living your own Explosive life of Significance, visit www.StateoftheSpark.com

2011-11-17T15:58:00.001-05:00

2night is Yvette's world record event for CPI Haiti! If u donate for her, get a free advanced copy of my new book! StateoftheSpark.com.

Life as Experiment

2011-11-11T05:52:00.001-05:00

I am separating out my personal blogging from State of the Spark. SotS has begun to grow beyond me. It is more a project and mission to launch others, and, as others have gravitated toward it and begun to inquire of bonding to it as an organic mission, I found that my personal blogging should be removed.

On the spectrum between the very others-centered-ness of State of the Spark and the very personal journals I have, this blog is the personal journey and shall remain more focused on my idea of Life as Experiment.

Life as Experiment first occured to me from the work of Buckminster Fuller (who had referred to himself as Guinea Pig B.) Not that anything I am experimenting with is as academic in nature as Bucky was.

However, in my Legacy work I have found that Life as Experiment is one of the best ways to articulate what we are on the planet here for.

Anyone seeking to make a difference in the earth, seeking to dent the universe, especially when it comes to not only serving others (philanthropia, humanitarianism) but to launching others into a life of philanthropia (the state of being Sparked), is leading by example. The only way to lead by example, to be able to saw with integration and honesty that this or that way works versus the other ways, is to do more than lead by example. We should lead by experiment.

That implies that if I claim that, for example, the ideologies of the New Thought movement worked, I should be able to not only speak to what they have done for me, but what data I have collected to that end. If I believe that living a life of philanthropia (missions, humanitarianism, etc) is a path in life that will bring Explosive Significance while en route to the dream, then I should be able to testify AND prove that.

The technocratic generations are questioning everything and studying very little of the previous ways.

The previous ways are not outdated; the flavor is just a little stale.

It is up to you, and I, and anyone with a desire to leave a legacy, to lead the newer generations to a meaningful, better way of living, to Lead by Example; to Live by Experiment.

So, this is the first entry I have that is taking a new direction. That direction is to reflect on actions I am taking, thoughts I am having, and things we are focusing on to have an honest, transparent look at the Life as Experiment.

by

Grant Ryan Nieddu

* - Image by San Diego Air & Space Museum Archives

2011-11-10T15:46:00.001-05:00

WealthEngine is a wealth of info. Reading ebook on donor ROI. http://ping.fm/om8FY

Occupy Lakeland & Taking Bunker Hill

2011-10-14T07:15:00.001-04:00

"What does a bunch of people meeting in a park really do?"

My good friend, Donald Ready, was just becoming aware of what was going on with Occupy Wall Street. If that weren't enough, when I told him about Occupy Lakeland, his first response was "What are they protesting about?"

But he had a question that many people I know have:

What does protesting like this accomplish?

I had a response question.

"What does protesting like this accomplish for whom regarding what over what time period?"

First, people protest when a) values that they have are being threatened, and b) they have come to a point where they feel that any other course of action will be fruitless. (Read, 'The True Believer' by Eric Hoffer or 'The Sociological Imagination' by C. Wright Mills.)

For guys like my friend, Donald, it will be a long time before they feel the effects of what the protesters are shouting about. His resources are provided for. His values are, in his mind, safe and protected. He doesn't feel threatened. As economists would say, there is no incentive for them to do it. In fact, it would be lost time and productivity (hear, loss of more production.)

So, guys like Donald would not think that much would be accomplished by having a bunch of people meet in a park. Now, Donald is a caring guy, so he isn't throwing the "hippy" card down on the protesters and shaming them.

But many people are. I would venture that those who are telling them to "go get a job" either a) carry a reasonable belief that they could get the resources they need (self-employment, job, investments) , or b) they already have the ability to get the resources they need.

I believe that it is a bit narrow-minded to think that the solution for everyone protesting, now in the thousands in every corner of the country, is to just go get a job. Besides, many of them are not even concerned about the job market. There are other topics on their mind.

Second, protesting like this brings solidarity to those who have a cause. This is obvious, but many people never knew how strongly those around them also felt regarding the same or similar topics. The Haitian motto, seen on its flag, translates "Unity Makes Strength." Gathering makes one feel, "Hey, maybe we can change this thing."

Third, there is the time-release factor of a protest.

Donald asked, what do they think they will accomplish.
Part of my answer was over what time frame,

If those meeting in Munn Park (Occupy Lakeland's Facebook page has it written that besides general corporate greed it is also protesting Lakeland Electric, the electricity utility here in Lakeland, Florida) were thinking that in showing up this Saturday would cause the walls of the Lakeland Electric building to crumble then they were going to be severely disappointed

But, the symbol of many people gathering to be seen and heard triggers a thought, an idea in those that see and hear. Bob Proctor once asked, "What is the gestation period of a mental seed?" Bob didn't know, and neither do I.

However, just as history will forever remember the series of regimes toppled in the Middle East, we must remember that simply standing up in solidarity is noticed. And, even if not now, if not during the life of those protesting, it will still have an effect.

Finally, bringing it home.

To bring the point home, knowing that Donald was a patriot and believed in the founding of our country, I asked him this question:

"What was it that caused the founding fathers to take up a musket, rush a hill, risk taking a musket ball to the face, AND know that they most likely would never see the full fruit of their efforts before they die?"

After a round of quick discussion, we called it The Bunker Hill moment.

"What is the moment you would take Bunker Hill?"

We took time to answer this for each other.

Taking example from America's founding, the Pilgrims simply removed themselves from the equation (its own form of protest) and set out on their own. Over time, the British Empire came looking for a fight.

I think for me, if something were to get bad enough for me to protest, I would start by simply removing myself from the equation. Move on. Go somewhere else. I can prosper just about anywhere you place me. However, once I had attempted to leave, to let you be you if you let me be me, but force was still being imposed on me, then I would have to take recourse.

So, I think my Bunker Hill moment is when my Free Will has been completely threatened. But that is a moving target, and emotions in the moment of being forced or threatened blur the line on when to react. (See my blog post about being kidnapped in India and The Decision Factor.)

What is YOUR Bunker Hill Moment?

What is the moment you would make a stand?
What value of yours would have to be threatened?
What ideal would have to be at stake?
(Take a second to think about that. Give me your answer in the comments section.)

by

Grant R. Nieddu

Writing: Nanotech, Search, & Humanitarianism

2011-10-01T18:19:00.001-04:00

Writing a bit for my fiction piece about Genetics, Nanotechnology, Robotics & Informational Ubiquity...and its accidental convergence into a hapless indigenous tribal member in sub-Sahara Africa. It asks the question: What would a shamanistic tribe member do were they to suddenly be able to get answers to any question they had for the world around them?

Throw in some adventurous humanitarians, hackers, and artificial-intelligence-bearing nanites and you have yourself an action-packed thriller! BAM!

Preparing for the 2nd Annual Hope for Haiti 5k! Expect an Infographic on how we do a 5k coming soon....Hope for Haiti 5k (17 photos) Haiti 5k Planning for our 2nd annual Hope for Haiti 5k!

2011-09-16T19:41:00.000-04:00

Preparing for the 2nd Annual Hope for Haiti 5k! Expect an Infographic on how we do a 5k coming soon....

Planning for our 2nd annual Hope for Haiti 5k!

'South of the Border' documentary by Oliver Stone

2011-09-08T20:11:00.000-04:00

Wow! Watching 'South of the Border' documentary by Oliver Stone. It is a profound commentary on how misguided the media is.

Powerful.

South of the Border(2009)

A road trip across five countries to explore the social and political movements as well as the mainstream media's misperception of South America while interviewing seven of its elected presid...

2011-08-21T07:31:00.001-04:00

Starting right NOW w/ Seth Godin, A Sunday Morning Spark @ Google+ http://ping.fm/BJtO6

2011-08-19T18:35:00.001-04:00

Grant Nieddu Headed to Minneapolis, MN @ Google+ http://ping.fm/jkiCz

2011-08-17T18:38:00.001-04:00

CPI Haiti Child Sponsorship Video - let us know what you think! http://bit.ly/oTbYoI

2011-08-13T19:04:00.001-04:00

Your Work of Passion - A Kairos moment of passionate work. - http://bit.ly/r9gTqn - A spark article on Significance.

2011-08-09T18:31:00.001-04:00

Meeting with the summer CPI Haití teams to reminisce & sow vision.

2011-08-08T19:54:00.001-04:00

Who is still looking for their official Google Plus invite? I have a few left over and we are rocking over there. Let me know!

2011-08-08T18:28:00.001-04:00

Visualizing Humanitarian Data - Google vs. the World Bank. http://bit.ly/ogwAjg - Great tools for your Spark tool kit.

2011-08-05T12:08:00.001-04:00

What Matt Damon and Gary White are doing for Haiti. http://ping.fm/AOpZF

2011-08-05T08:34:00.001-04:00

An ancient Aztec word and a hidden Indian word - All in Aspire - A sparked review of the work of Kevin Hall - http://ping.fm/ztkLA

2011-07-29T17:23:00.001-04:00

Just missed a tragic accident by 20 seconds. Thought of my great work still not done. Whats yours?! Now GO!

2011-07-20T19:37:00.001-04:00

Great post-cholera Haiti infographics. http://ping.fm/AiVAH

2011-07-09T11:41:00.001-04:00

2.5 hrs to our Haití departure. I just LOVE taking new philanthropians there!

2011-07-06T22:31:00.001-04:00

"Intellectual assent is only a necessary 1st step...to taking a stand with those who suffer the most." Dr. Farmer

2011-07-06T22:22:00.001-04:00

Just watched Life & Debt, a documentary on Jamaica & the IMF. A bit outdated, but enlightening.

2011-06-23T13:03:00.001-04:00

I just defied Resistance today & scribed my way through version 4 of my book, H.O.P.E from Here to Haití. Holler if you want a sneak peak.

2011-06-22T19:19:00.001-04:00

@ Opening Night @ Press101 in Lakeland, Fl w/ my wife. Good food, music, & atmosphere.

2011-06-07T07:38:00.001-04:00

The Passion to Mow a Lawn - A sparked article. http://bit.ly/iVbCXf

2011-06-01T15:47:00.001-04:00

Talked to Martin Tierny for an hr about his work @ The Water Source in Chauffard. Shout if u have been to the water source in Haití w/ us!

2011-06-01T07:39:00.001-04:00

The CPI Truck is finally in Port-au-Prince! Now THAT was an undertaking!

2011-05-31T09:14:00.001-04:00

Painting at Paint Along Studios in Downtown Lakeland Florida at our management meeting! SWEET!

2011-05-31T06:17:00.001-04:00

Final Lessons From The End of the World: http://ping.fm/UastU

2011-05-27T06:04:00.001-04:00

Lessons from the End of the World Part 02 http://bit.ly/jjLwzj

2011-05-24T07:37:00.001-04:00

Lessons from the End of the World, Part 1 - Believing the Impossible - http://bit.ly/kcZDZv

2011-05-21T22:03:00.001-04:00

Sindia Sinclair was just sponsored at the CPI Haití Child Sponsorship event at Black & Brew! 16 children sponsored.

2011-05-21T21:36:00.001-04:00

CPI Haití Child Sponsorship Night @ Black & Brew in downtown Lakeland.

2011-05-14T07:51:00.001-04:00

Coffee. Quiet time. Morning parental blessing by beach. Day w/ fam. Then maybe get a little married!

2011-05-12T08:46:00.000-04:00

Marissa & I headed off to Hilton Head! Give us grace where we need it, wish us well.

2011-05-11T08:46:00.001-04:00

Our 11th Haitian Child Sponsorship: Scherline Estime now receives worm medicine, a meal a day, & primary education! http://bit.ly/i8Gu0k

2011-05-07T08:34:00.001-04:00

Grant Nieddu's drivin a big ol' truck@8:28am,5/7
Florida
http://ping.fm/KNGD7

2011-05-05T08:54:00.001-04:00

Invigorating meeting with Super-Kenny re: Haití summer trips, shipping of truck & child sponsoring program! Living the dream!

2011-05-02T09:48:00.001-04:00

How do u plan a wedding & a trip to Haití, write a book, mng a cafe & stay sane? Trick question: YOU don't! Your heroic fiance does!

2011-04-30T21:24:00.001-04:00

2 sparked CPI Haiti Child Sponsorship announcements including Black and Brew - http://bit.ly/isfnez

2011-04-29T14:55:00.001-04:00

Fun interview with Cathy Pickett audio! http://bit.ly/m2ebaw

2011-04-22T15:18:00.001-04:00

Now is the time for our voices. If not in this time of desperation & disarray then when?!

2011-04-18T18:16:00.001-04:00

2 Haitian children were sponsored today on the 1st day of our CPI Child Sponsorship program!! Less than $1 a day! http://bit.ly/i8Gu0k

2011-04-17T16:29:00.001-04:00

@ Books-a-Million eating yogurt, finishing wedding plans w/ fiance.

2011-04-11T12:47:00.001-04:00

Just witnessed a handicapped pan handler wheel behind a building, stand up, stretch, eat lunch and adjust his costume.

2011-04-05T10:33:00.001-04:00

Lessons from being hit by at tornado at Sun-n-Fun 2011 Fly-In in Lakeland. http://bit.ly/hE6G7K

2011-04-03T06:45:00.001-04:00

Woke so tired I was sick. But once out here in the fresh air, watching sunrise, I'm fine.

2011-03-31T12:30:00.001-04:00

Wow! Vendor tent down w/ injuries. We're safe. Waiting for team, assessing, then waiting out the next storm cell.

2011-03-31T12:24:00.001-04:00

Just hit by a tornado. That was different. The water dropped was impressive. Van destroyed. Now to assess.

2011-03-22T20:08:00.001-04:00

Came home to my fiance who had made tea & dinner, cleaned my room, put away my laundry...she is divine!

2011-03-20T17:25:00.001-04:00

A.m. vision w/ fiance. Me, Haiti web work. Marissa, Micro-finance research. Now reading USAID Haiti Strategy; not fun!

2011-03-09T06:18:00.001-05:00

When I was kidnapped in India, I learned about the Decision Factor. A new sparked article: http://bit.ly/a15KdM

2011-03-08T20:45:00.001-05:00

My new phone #! 561-2 GrantN (561-247-2686). This should be a permanent number for me, shop please plug it in!

2011-03-06T13:23:00.001-05:00

Can keeping up with the Joneses be a good thing for humanitarianism? A new Sparked Article http://bit.ly/f54phq

2011-03-02T08:41:00.001-05:00

Moved to the core by the most powerful talk I've heard in a while- Dr. King's The Drum Major Instinct

2011-03-02T05:45:00.001-05:00

Author of Mts Beyond Mts, Kidder talks of his time with Paul Farmer in Haiti. http://bit.ly/eC0gqc

2011-03-01T04:35:00.001-05:00

# John engle just posted from Haiti about receiving serious earthquake tremors. Stay posted.

2011-02-28T06:56:00.001-05:00

Up @ 4:30. Wrote, prayed, journaled, set up week, posted Haiti summer trip dates, & listening to K'naan. All before sunrise. :)

2011-02-27T18:42:00.001-05:00

Talking to Marissa about the contextual nature of creole before our Haiti Spring Break trip.

2011-02-25T08:48:00.001-05:00

http://bit.ly/fWdzIX

2011-02-25T08:30:00.001-05:00

On Humanitarian Martyrs and the Sacrifice to create a better world by Jacqueline Novogratz at TED. Powerful video - http://bit.ly/gz4dRr

2011-02-24T07:44:00.001-05:00

John Foley, fighting USAID for internet on his 5th day in Port-au-Prince - http://bit.ly/eEVucY

2011-02-23T06:34:00.001-05:00

John Foley looks for cutting wheels and answers to questions, Journal Day 04: http://bit.ly/i9s8XY

2011-02-22T06:42:00.001-05:00

Here is John Foley, getting antsy on his 3rd day to do some work! http://bit.ly/gkRyjs

2011-02-21T08:14:00.001-05:00

John Foley's igniting hearts on Day 2 in Port-au-Prince. Awesome mission and awesome missionary: http://ping.fm/wpaMy

2011-02-20T07:33:00.001-05:00

A sparked John Foley's post from Port-au-Prince. After being rocked with CPI, he is returning to make a difference - http://bit.ly/hcwDNt

2011-02-18T07:08:00.001-05:00

Haiti Summer Trips filling up fast! Let us know ASAP if you are coming. Facebook, email, or Connect RIGHT NOW! http://ping.fm/TOmiI

2011-02-16T08:48:00.001-05:00

Look up CrossFit Lake Mirror & Liz Carpenter! Training local high school wrestlers & adding to the community.

2011-02-15T06:39:00.001-05:00

Aristide returning to Haiti at any moment! We are watching this closely - http://bit.ly/g5LUEa

2011-02-14T06:48:00.001-05:00

Just wrapping up the 3rd section of HOPE From Here to Haiti. Its difficult to capture the awesome stories.

2011-02-10T19:04:00.001-05:00

The Spark partners with VQSuccess; guest Sparked Article by Seth Czerepak - http://bit.ly/etxHRn

2011-02-10T09:57:00.001-05:00

Just met with Kenny on Haiti planning. Encouraging as always. Fun stuff coming through.

2011-02-02T05:03:00.001-05:00

Another team of 1st time Transforming Travelers leave for Haiti today! Wish them well!!

2011-01-27T20:07:00.001-05:00

St Joseph's Knights of Columbus = AWESOME PEOPLE! Jim, Brian, Bobby, and everyone were amazing. :)

2011-01-27T15:03:00.001-05:00

Preparing for my talk on CPI Haiti @ Knights of Columbus, thanks to Bobby & Susie Brigman!

2011-01-25T06:01:00.001-05:00

CPI Makes a Run For It! My sparked review of the 1st annual Hope for Haiti 5k Run and Walk - http://bit.ly/hV5MGe

2011-01-18T20:03:00.001-05:00

Vince Vaughn taunting me while I propose to my girlfriend - A sparked article about Grant's engagement to Marissa - http://bit.ly/fzop7E

2011-01-16T19:20:00.001-05:00

@ annual dinner with VQ Success and Seth Czerepak going over successes and inspirations. Check these guys out!

2011-01-14T20:14:00.001-05:00

She said 'Yes.'

2011-01-14T14:22:00.001-05:00

A Spark of an entire 6 months to earn a most important 2 Seconds - A Sparked Article - http://bit.ly/h8kHk7

2011-01-11T17:35:00.001-05:00

Doing a 'Walking With the Poor' study with Colton Gilbert! Bam!

2011-01-10T18:09:00.001-05:00

Sparked Tips to Actively Resting and Planning Your Year - Finishing the Sparked Sabbatical - http://bit.ly/hoySQr

2011-01-10T15:37:00.001-05:00

Friends! Random invite: dinner 2 bid farewell to my Semester @ Sea friend, David. Mongolian Grill @ 7 unless otherwise noted. Holler if coming. :)

2011-01-09T19:12:00.001-05:00

Starting our Haiti 5k meeting! The gang's all here! Teachers from Geneva, aide workers, chemists, draftsmen & students alike.

2011-01-09T08:59:00.001-05:00

DAVID BEAT HIS GOAL BY TWO SECONDS! HE IS GOING TO BOSTON!

2011-01-09T07:39:00.001-05:00

My Semester @ Sea friend, David Harvitz, is maintaining a 7:13 mi for his Disney Marathon, trying to qualify for the Boston!

2011-01-06T06:28:00.001-05:00

The best article about the condition in Haiti and the confessed motives of Sean Penn's work there - http://ping.fm/b3Dru

2011-01-03T19:55:00.001-05:00

Just had coffee with the AWESOME Nate & Ida Mundell! If you don't know them you should.

2011-01-03T08:50:00.001-05:00

I just had an awesome customer HAND MAKE me a horse shoe for good luck for the New Year! He is an awesome blacksmith!

2010-12-30T06:40:00.001-05:00

It smells smokey like Haiti today.

2010-12-26T07:46:00.001-05:00

Declarations without Discipline is the beginning of Delusion.