If you are like me, I am sure you have asked yourself this question at some point in your life: “how do I know that I am living my life right?” Here is a simple but powerful way through which I discovered my RIGHT.
My mother narrates of a time, when I had just barely learned to walk. Before she knew it, I had sneaked out of the house and the frantic search begun. After several minutes of tears and calling out, she found me: quietly playing under the magnificent cypress fence that sorrounded our home. I looked up and smiled.
There, in that garden, I was lost in so many shades of green. Today, I find myself and my calling in the earth that first inspired me. My purpose, which I continue to unravel daily, is in the environment which I am so fond of, in the flowers which I carefully photograph and display for the world to see, and in my need to be make an impact as a social entrepreneur.
Even so, I have come to appreciate the power in a community which believes in dreams, and nurtures the greatness that abides in you. That someone, that army, that community is now presented to you as the Dell Social Innovation Challenge 2013. A platform, which allows you to share your innovative, creative and world-changing ideas.
A place where, you can not only win $350,000 in prizes and awards, but also a space where your ideas can be positively critiqued by a qualified team of mentors and advisers. As it is said, an idea is only a wish until it is put down on paper. In this case, your idea can become a reality, if you take a bold step to register as a user on the Dell Portal: http://www.dellchallenge.org/user/register.
Our challenge is open to students in all fields of study with any social impact innovation (from charitable to for-profit and even blended projects) and in any phase of development (from early ideas to complete operations fully up and running). The concept can address one of the following sectors; Agriculture, Economic Development, Energy, Environment, Food & Nutrition, Health, Human Rights, Poverty and Technology.
I have received several queries regarding how to protect your concept, especially those of a technical nature. My advise would be to thoughtfully present your concept in a way that sells, but does not sell-out. You can also take the following questions into consideration as you write your proposal;
- What is your innovation?
- Who gains the most?
- Who pays?
- What is/will be the measure of your success?
- How will you / are you doing it?
Time is of the essence and therefore, you are required to submit your idea by the 28th of January 2013. Remember, that your connections in social media are a great tool to get you voted. So, once you submit your idea on the Dell Portal, spread the word! We need people to VOTE VOTE VOTE!
I recently was inspired by the words of a beautiful song which went like this,
“LIVE your life RIGHT,
put up a FIGHT,
because in case you forgot,
it is the only ONE that you’ve got.
Giving up is what they want you to do,
but things must CHANGE.
Pay no mind to discouraging fools,
we will not wait.
I WILL BE ALL I WAS MEANT TO BE,
and you can never stop me.
We were promised liberty and
together we are an army, a COMMUNITY.”
As Mahatma Gandhi so eloquently said, “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” I look forward to see you make a WORLD of a difference in the lives of BILLIONS, starting with just that ONE idea!
By Angela Siele
For more information on the Dell Social Innovation Challenge, contact Angela on angela.dell.innovate@gmail.com
For bookings and general inquiries, contact her on angelasiele@gmail.com
Visit her blog on www.angeladavidsphotography.wordpress.com
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