The Gift Prolific

A friend of mine just posted this story on Facebook…And I wanted to share it.  One of this man’s gifts is the way he treats people with dignity and respect.

Anthony Cymerys is a barber.
He’s 82 years old and what you’re seeing here is what he does every Wednesday.
It may not look like much, but it is.
He brings his chair, his clippers, and a car battery to power the clippers, to a local park in Hartford.  He then gives haircuts to the homeless.
He says he doesn’t want the homeless to look homeless.
He doesn’t charge them a dime.  All they have to do is give him a hug.
Anthony was inspired to do this after hearing a sermon in church about the homeless.
And ever since then he’s been going to the park once a week.
He is very popular.
People line up on park benches waiting their turn.
Anthony says, “I love these guys. That’s what it’s all about.”

Story and Photo by Jessica Hill/AP

Here is the next video from my album.  It is the Title Track ‘See You Again’.

This song was written for my grandmas and my dad but it works for all the people that have passed on in our lives.  Words and music by me.  The video was shot in my backyard and edit by my friend Craig Jacobson.  He did a phenomenal job.

Thanks for checking it out.

So I have been taking some time off.  One of the things that I have been doing a lot of is playing my ukulele.  I even wrote 5 songs.  For my birthday, my friend Chris Andersen offered to make a demo of my songs in his home recording studio.  And for the last several weeks we have been doing just that.  And I have a wonderful little collection of recorded music to show you.  The thing about this project is that it is GIFT BASED!  It was a gift from Chris to put in many volunteer hours of recording and engineering work.  Plus, I had a fantastic time writing it and making the music.  Chris also lent his musical talents to the album, playing guitar and bass on a few tracks.

Another great GIFT associated with this album is the contribution of the super talented Ashley Sue Moore.  Her work on ‘Who Will Sing For Me’ is just fantastic.  I met Ashley Sue through this very project.  She was camped across the street from the gallery at Burning Man.  I am lucky….truly lucky.

And lastly, this album was made with LOVE.  I wanted to write some songs for my ukulele that I really enjoy playing.  I want to give it to you as part of our combined experience and culture.  Thank you for participating with me.  You can stream the songs  in their entirety below.  Or you can click through to the link and download them.  I am also looking into making CDs for people.  So if I can raise enough money I will do that as well.  Special thanks to Chris Andersen, this is one of the best birthday gifts EVER! To Ashley Sue Moore, I swear you sing like an angel.  Much love to my family….Theresa and Darwin….and all of you!  Thanks and enjoy!

Music videos to follow….

Hello Friends!  I am writing today to update you on a few things.  First of all, I have received so many emails from all of you, sharing your experience with The Gift Prolific!  THANK YOU!  They are really wonderful to read and I thoroughly enjoy them.  So PLEASE keep em’ comin’!

As you may have noticed, I have been on a little break from posting about my own daily giving.  It has been very nice to not blog about everything I do.  Don’t get me wrong, I love to talk about giving and gifts.  But I have felt like the blogging part of this thing, has been a real chore as of late…and it is nice to give it a rest.  I will however be posting your updates, news articles, and my own essays about gifting and how it helps all of us.  I am not sure when or if I will be posting any of my own daily gifts in the near future.  This is a small evolution to the blog and I hope it is something you enjoy as much as I do.

Speaking of evolution…I feel like my project needs to evolve as well.  Right now I have many questions about  it.  Have I finished it?  Should I go on?  Should I do this again for 2014′s Burning Man?  Is this just a Burning Man Project?  Does this project have any life outside of daily gifting and painting?  Is it ok to take a break?  When will I start up again? etc.  I am going to try and take some time to answer these questions.  I would also love to hear your input….How do you see this project evolving?

And last but certainly not least…..Part of this time away I have had to come face to face with some really big life issues.  I feel that some of these things I may have been avoiding by spending so much time and energy living in my art studio….I am staring down many health issues, financial problems, and family challenges.  These are things that I need to tackle and prioritize.  Many others share these issues….However I will still continue to give and create the culture that I wish to be a part of during this time.  I just may NOT blog about it.

That about wraps up this post.  I will be posting more updates this week.  Thanks again for so much love and support…and input!  Take care.

My friend Elisabeth Chavez sent me this message on Facebook, just now….

“I just pulled a you, pay for the next 5 coffees at Phil’s. people were soo happy… Oh the little things that make people happy. It is contagious! Thanks for all the balls amazing things you do. Glad you are my friend and in my life.”

Chavez paid for my tattoos as a gift.  She is pretty great!  Thanks Chavez!  Now the rest of you get out there and do something cool!  Take care.

“Gifting is approved by Wizards everywhere!”

Here is another awesome email….I am slowly digging out of the backlog.  Thanks for reading along.

Dear Josh,

I am the proud owner of painting #92 “The Shirt Off Your Back”.

2012 was my first year at burning man and it was quite the experience. I never knew I would gain so much from just 1 week in the desert. Upon returning from Burning Man, I couldn’t wait to share my experience with my friends and family. I excitedly showed them pictures of the playa, art displays, and the new friends I had made. My friends and fam looked at me as to say “Looks like a fun party.” I would then respond- “But no, you don’t understand, It’s so much more than that!” I then would reach for your painting and explain it’s importance and the story beind it. “It’s about giving, helping others, and loving one another. It’s lesson to be learned about how we should live our daily lives.”

Thank you so much for doing this project! I truly admire and appreciate you for your generosity. I absolutely love your painting; and I found the perfect place for it! It hangs next to my front door and It reminds me everyday, before leaving the house, 1. of the beautiful playa and all that it encompasses 2. to give more. I plan on printing out the paragraph that goes along with the painting and hanging it below so to share it’s story with those that enter my home.

P.S. Did you end up getting many clothing donations?

With love,
Jaycee

Jaycee!

Thank you so much for sending your pic and story to the Facebook page.  To answer your question I did get a lot of clothes donations…like 3 trash bags FULL!  Thanks for asking.  Next up…..explaining Burning Man to people….Good Luck.  hehehe.  Now that you have been to BRC you carry a curse.  Trying To Explain The Damned Thing!  ha.  I have been 6 times and I still can’t explain the whole thing.  When I try I sound like some crazed hippy!  That’s completely ok!  Just roll with it.  You have been bitten by the bug….others will too.  Thank you so much for being part of the Gift Prolific!  And thanks for making the painting part of your daily life.  Giving is very important to me….and when you give you will immediately feel it.  You are awesome!  Take care.  Hope to see you again one day in the dust!  -Joshy