Bono

When I first heard Bono speak at the 2006 Leadership Summit, I was blown away. His intensity, passion, conviction was ... surprising and inspiring. I took notes and put them in my daughters baby book. I want her to incorporate his words as life lessons. And from a rock star. Who'd have thought?


This is what I wrote in 'E's' baby book in August 2006:


"One of the speakers was Bono, the lead singer of the Band U2 and Time Magazine's 2005 Person of the Year. He was a taped interview conducted by Bill Hybels, Senior Pastor of Willow Creek Community Church. I was so impressed by Bono that I took some notes to share with you [E]."

• Always reserve the right to be ridiculous.
• He finds Christians difficult - very judgmental and only looking at surface issues.
• He likes to be in the middle of conflict - he actually said "in the middle of a conflict is a great place to be. It allows duality. I see his point here and agree with the concept - be able to see all sides / perspectives. But, be prepared. Sometimes you have to chose a side.
• Celebrity is currency.
• Great ideas have the same power as a great melody.
• The church is historically behind the curve.
• Love thy neighbor - who is our neighbor?
• Stop asking God to bless the things you are doing. Find what God is doing. It's already blessed.
• It's not a burden, a duty. It's an opportunity, an adventure.

So here it is 2009 and Bono was back at the Leadership Summit to report on what he was seeing in the fight to end extreme poverty. Again, this was a taped interview conducted by Bill Hybels.

• Only love can leave such a mark.
• Love thy neighbor" is a command, not advice.
• Intuition is greater than intellect.
• There's always resistance on the ongoing journey of equality.
• If you lead anything do something.

For more information on the fight to end extreme poverty and the One Campaign, go to www.One.org.


Here's to learning and growing. J