Andy Mackie, a retired horse trainer, had 9 heart surgeries.  The resulting 15 prescriptions caused more problems than they were worth so he stopped taking them.  That’s a lot of dough for a lot of drugs.  So what did he do with the money he saved?

He figured he’d live for only about a month or so so he spent what time he had left doing what he loved.  He bought a ton of harmonicas and started teaching kids how to play, for free.

A funny thing happened.  He didn’t die.

The next month he bought more harmonicas, taught more kids.

Several more heart attacks, one more heart surgery, 11 years and 16,000 harmonicas later he’s still blowin’ the blues.  When asked why he thinks he’s still here, he says he guesses heaven doesn’t need harmonica players.

Now that’s inspirational.

The image of Andy is by Jesse Joshua Watson, an artist from Washington.  Check out this short video about a book he’s writing for children about Haiti.

Orchestra Volodora (photo credit: Luisa Santa)

Recently I was working (& playing) in Rio de Janiero, Brazil for the United Nation’s World Urban Forum, where I presented a workshop on cultural intelligence.

The event included a celebration of young artists which the United Nations have deemed ‘Messengers of Truth’.  They are artists from all over the world that sing and perform about poverty, housing, racism, and other pressing urban issues.

Part of the Messengers of Truth concert included Orquestra Voadora, a raucous Brazilian brass band that entered the venue with hips swinging in concert with their tubas, saxophones and other horns.  They didn’t take to the stage, but rather joined the crowd on the dance floor.

It was mayhem, it was loud and it was fantastic.

People from all over the world grooved to their tunes and for a moment, all was well with the world.

The message?  Many.

Music is a pathway to peace.  Young people are integral to peacebuilding.  Play and dance are critical.

And your messages of truth?  What are they?