the cynic in all of us questions the value of mega-concerts such as live 8. we rush to question motives and whether hypocrisy exists in all the rhetoric dished out during the show. it’s a natural skepticism. it is a legitimate question whether all the stars put their money where their mouth is, and they definitely should. however, the cynic that dismisses the whole thing as celebrities trying to validate their fame and fortune by promoting a worthy cause is missing part of the story. i don’t know whether live 8 will be the catalyst for meaningful change it desires to be, but if it can provide a wake-up call to those who have been discouraged by the monotony and prosaic reality of everyday life, that’s a worthy achievement. I believe that this at least is possible.

perhaps we have lost our ability to believe in something bigger than ourselves. we can easily lose sight of the bigger picture when we get bogged down in the details. we look at the fortunate fools who still believe and trust in the power of a big dream, and we are envious. we are envious because we used to be where they are. we know better now. we are smarter, too smart to believe, to dream, or to act like our lives mean something. here’s to the ones who haven’t become jaded and cynical enough to settle for being ordinary. dreamers with a plan can change the world. we have seen it throughout history. we can’t all be singers, or actors, or people with a great big stage to influence huge crowds of people. but we all have a part to play. we all can make a difference where we are. this is too easily forgotten. if i take nothing else from live 8, i take this: don’t lose the belief in the impossible. that is what makes us feel alive. that is what keeps us from being ordinary and settling for an existence that can never satisfy us.