Q: What are you up to? A: Esse quam videri #30daychalenge

After 16 days of the #30daychallenge I became tired of thinking & blogging, chose to get outside, and do. Been reconnecting with friends of future past over the last few days instead of writing every day. I’ve been amazed at how many unexpected and interesting people are going through very similar experiences right now and are changing things in their own lives. There are 3 or 4 of you starting your very own #30daychallenges soon which I hope will effect the desired change you wish to see in your world. This has been an unexpected by-product of sharing this journey with you through the conversation prism and has given me an added boost of inspiration through lessons in health, entrepreneurship, mercy & humility. It is true.

The next question to be answered is, “What are you up to?” Africa Knows & the answer is simple: “esse quam videri“.

Esse quam videri means “To be rather than to seem”. It was the motto of my university, first quoted in Cicero’s essay “on friendship” which states that “Few are those who wish to be endowed with virtue rather than to seem so”.This is the power that TED has given to me and I find it echoed in many of the TED fellows I have the privilege to know and work with.

The answer to what I’m up to will be revealed on the last day of the challenge but I thought I’d share an eight Coldplay playlist, who’s eight varying lyrics and well produced videos reflect the emotions & experiences,  that best describe the past eight days :

1. Vida la Vida
2. The Scientist
3. Hurts Like Heaven
4. Lost+ ft. Jay-Z
5. We never change
6. In my place
7. Violet Hill
8. Paradise

This entire challenge will continue to be described in animated GIFs too.