I love to witness the creative flow and fun expressing itself through others. The latest case in point was in the news recently. The “red paper clip” story is about how one young man’s dream and his entrepreneurial spirit created quite an adventure for him along with a fun and enjoyable tale for the rest of us to pass on.

This was in my email under “strange news.” I always like to check this section out because many times it contains examples of how people are co-creating their lives in most interesting ways and how the universal flow is abundantly available for all of us. The stories are usually funny and quite often heartwarming.

The title drew me in immediately, “Man trading up from paper clip to house.” I just had to read on to find out more.

It starts out, “Kyle MacDonald had a red paper clip and a dream.” Kyle’s dream was to own his own house and he wanted to use the community power of the Internet to barter his way up to it. So he begins his quest with a simple red paper clip. He bartered this for a fish-shaped pen, which was then bartered for a ceramic doorknob which was bartered for something else... and on it went. In trading up, all kinds of things passed through his hands from, believe it or not, a snowmobile to a 1995 van (even more incredible). This fun and entertaining story eventually caught the attention of the media. They, of course, found this just too irresistible to ignore, so Kyle recounted his dream for the newspapers and even appeared on local TV. Then CBS night time news picked it up. At last report, Hollywood studios have offered to turn his story into a film. He will end up getting his own house from that simple red paper clip after all. What a hoot!

When Kyle was asked what he learned from all this, he replied, “If you say you’re going to do something and you start to do it, and people enjoy it or respect it or are entertained by it, people will step up and help you.”

What a great example of our human natures. We all want to be part of a project when there is an element of fun involved. We all want to experience joy. And most people will lend a hand if it contributes to something worthwhile or helps someone out. It meets all our basic human needs. And, I propose here, that it really fulfills our spiritual natures also. If our purpose on Earth, as my friend Abraham lovingly reminds us so often, is to experience “joy,” then Kyle’s dream certainly did the trick for many folks along the way.

Just when you think there’s nothing new under the sun, that everything has been done or tried at least once, a clever, joy-flowing being steps forth to demonstrate how much more there is to explore and delight in.

I think it would be wonderful if people gave themselves a “joy” break in the middle of the day as an alternative to the usual 15 minute coffee-and-donut break. Try something just for the fun of it. Go outside and smile at everyone passing by.

I’ve often had some of the most fun while standing in line. The best times of all can be had by engaging others in the fun. Say something funny or share a funny story. Point out a person’s happy smile or face or personality. Tell them you like their _______ (and mean it!)

I think many people tend to take life far too seriously. A little levity is always in order and usually quite welcome. Let’s “lighten up.” There are far too many times when we must be serious, so taking a little break for joy every day could be one of the best things you can do for yourself. Kyle demonstrated that for all of us. He did something original, creative and totally unique and, besides creating great fun for everyone along the way, he ended up manifesting his dream.

What is stirring inside you, ready to burst forth? What dreams or passions are waiting for you to breathe life into them? You are unique. No one else shares your fingerprints, your DNA or your dreams. The world is not needing the “next Harry Potter” or the “next DaVinci Code” or even the “next Kyle MacDonald.” The world is waiting, and ready, for the next brilliant YOU!

P.S. 28 years ago a dream was born...
you’re holding it in your hands.
phenomeNEWS: a retrospective featuring many of our covers over the years will be on display the entire month of June (see page 9).
The dream goes on...