The Simple Joys
With each passing day it seems there's more and more to be discouraged about. I want to travel to impoverished and depressed regions across the globe and show that there's so much more joy that we don't see than pain that we do.
With each passing day it seems there's more and more to be discouraged about. Financial meltdown, environmental crisis, war, famine, drought, disease, genocide, there's no shortage of sadness and pain and hardship. It's all we see, no matter where we turn.
I want to find the antidote.
I plan to travel the world, focusing largely on impoverished and depressed regions of both developing and "First World" nations, highlighting the simple ways people manage to find joy in such tumultuous times. Whether it's Filipino street children playing patintero or Malawian men enjoying a game of soccer or a band playing Appalachian music in rural America, I hope to capture the little things that bring people such profound joy.
I will maintain a blog as I travel, recounting my experiences as well as sharing the photos I capture. Once the trip is over, I hope to compile their stories and images in a book, the full proceeds of which will go to the people I have visited and lived with.
All too often, the sorrow and pain of the world gets the front page attention while the happiness and joy is saved for the Lifestyle section. I want to do what I can to balance that out.
147 Comments
it's encouraging to see someone who's actually interested in focusing on the different things that make life worth living instead of what makes you want to slit your wrists.
I think this is a great idea. I agree that we see too much of the pain and not enough of the joy this world has to offer. Good luck.
This is a good dream.
I like this. Focus on the positive...
We all need a smile and we all need to know that it's a great big beautiful world out there.
We all know it's sometimes the little things we do to keep ourselves happy that keep us going every day. I say let's make this trip happen.
Mike, this is one of the most awesome ideas I've ever heard and I hope you will get an opportunity to bring it to fruition!
Mike, this is one of the most awesome ideas I've ever heard and I hope you will get an opportunity to bring it to fruition!
This is an amazing idea and I really hope you can do this!
best of luck, mike!
I look forward to seeing your dream not only bring joy to others, but also to inspire those of us trying to make our own dreams come true. Best of luck to you!
Such an awesome idea, Mike!! I hope that you can do this! :-)
There are some things that leave you a little tingly,awestruck and inspired, and your idea is just that. I'm totally rooting for this dream to happen for you, and will help get the word out.. my inner hippie is celebrating!
Rock it!
It's nice to see that there is still some optimism left out there. Good luck Mike!
fantastic dream mike, hope you get to achieve it soon :)
that's an absolutely stellar idea and i hope you get to experience it. you, more than anyone else i know, deserve this! it'll give us all some hope
Doooo it :D
This is a fantastic, beautiful idea. I hope you'll get the chance to do this regardless of if you win or not.
The Simple Joys are the things that make life worth living--I would love to see this work.
Yes!
This is an absolutely fantastic idea.
This is exactly the kind of vision we need more of in the world.
Great plan good luck!
Awesome!
We need more positive things to see and talk about. Good luck! I really hope you get this assignment - mmg
I agree, this would really show our world isn't full of bad, but that there is good and joy, no matter what the conditions are.
Great idea
I pic'd! Good luck... the more people realize that happiness doesn't necessarily have to have an exorbitant price tag, the less obsessed we would be with money. Capitalist Pigs! :)
This is a great idea. The more each of us can do to spread joy and beauty, the better world we all inhabit.
this is a heartfelt idea. my idea is to help others by bringing awareness and unity for non-profits worldwide: http://www.nameyourdreamassignment.com/the-ideas/jenmay/unity-through-community/
hope this dream comes true for you...
All the best! Very inspiring. Go for it!
I got ya back...
go for it!
You get out there and shoot, Mike! you got my vote
It sounds like your journey will produce a body of work that will be able to tame the skeptic in all of us. Good luck!
I like this, and hope you can do it!
Sounds like a wonderful idea. :)
Go for it, Mike!
Fantastic .. I hope you get picked..
Great idea- best of luck, Mike.
Good Luck Mike!
I like your idea!
Will you vote for me? Let's do this and see how it turns out. Let's help each other!
Good luck!
Good Luck Mike!
Go for it, bro!
Good Luck Mike! Great Idea.
Wish you the best rrip ever!
Your photos are amazing! Some are even better than those I see in Conde Nast Traveler. Good luck!
Wonderful idea! Good luck, Mike!
Show them how it's done right and who mike ricca is all about!!--I support my friend!
This seems like a worthwhile endeavor.
Very well said! Hope your dream captures a great success! Good Luck, Mike!
you have my vote....good luck.
I hope you fulfill your dreams.
Good luck, Mike.
I love your global approach. Your project will expand the meaning of happiness for many people.
Good luck, Mike! You've got my vote, sir. ^_^
What a wonderful way to show that there is still happiness in this world, Good luck, you have my vote....
"Just a small town girl... Living in a LOOOOOONLY WOOORL-RLD!"
Don't stop believing Ricca-chu!
Love it!
This is the best idea EVER! The Ricca rules!
Good luck!
I was really impressed by this idea. I hope you manage to fulfill it.
good luck
Good Luck & great idea!
Please help vote for my dream-I think it will mean something to you...thanks!
Good luck!
Amazing idea!!!
I love this idea! check out mine and Pic it if youd like! Congo here I come...
Best of luck Mike :)
Best of luck mr. ricca
Good luck to you man...
Ser Mike,
Sorry medyo busy... so couldn't respond sooner. Good luck. Galingan mo! You know how we roll.
Best. Idea. Ever.
What a wonderful Idea! It will be a great reminder to our money obsessed, fame-driven world that happiness has always been available to us. Go Mike! You got a great idea here!
What a great idea, Mike. I agree with you. We need to focus on the simple and joyous times of our lives and not the negative ones. I hope your idea will become a reality.
.....with a good heart and soul like yours you deserve the dream....blessings, care and be well. keep positive! Miks :)
"the sorrow and pain of the world gets the front page attention while the happiness and joy is saved for the Lifestyle section."
Well, I wish you the best of luck with your travel! Sounds like a great dream.
We all need to hear the good that is in the world. Especially right now. Thank you for inspiring me!
i like it... you won my vote, sir.
Travel the world and tell us through your pics the beauty out there...
this rocks!
Good Luck Mike! :)
Good luck man. Sounds like your project will rock!
Hi Mike! My sister told me to come and read the story about what you want to do and I think it's great. Good luck!
Good Luck Mike!
Hey Mikeee,
Sorry it took me so long, but I finally logged in and voted.
good luck,
John
Among all the ideas, this one feels the most genuine, and full of stories.
Winner.
Good luck Mike! You got my vote.
Shumate
Best of luck! May your dream inspire others to care as much.
This is a very noble undertaking. You've got my vote. Good luck!
Find the Anecdote!!! tell me what it is!! Pic! check out my dream if you'd like...
great concept! really. And IF you win, and youl need an assistant to travel with you, message me...im in. haha good luck!
G'luck Mike.
Good luck!
I like your idea. Good luck.
Mike, best of luck.
go mike!
This is a great idea and gets to the source of true happiness. I wish you luck.
Good luck mike!
Go team mike!
I hope you win!
Cool!
Everybody should "look for joy" in their lives every day. Your project will remind us to.
hey mike, very nice idea, sorry 4 delay, hope you'll make it
Luca
Good luck, Mike.
Posted on Myspace and sent a few e-mails for co-workers. Hope that helps a bit.
Oliver Q.
I couldn't agree more. In this era of bellyaching and lack of accountability we all need to be reminded about what REALLY matters. Good luck!
Jenny
Hi Mike - your mom just told us about this contest. It's an amazing concept and we hope you win!
sweet idea. make it happen.
Those who see Invisible, Can do Impossible.
Good luck~
I received your mom's email and thing that this is a great idea! Follow your dream!
I saw the pics and it's amazing . Good Luck.
Brilliant--can you take me with you?
i like this optimistic approach.
there are many ideas in this competition that share your view. i do.
please vote for them.
Mike, I hope you get a chance to live your dream!
Mike, best of luck. I hope you realize your dream.
Go, Mike.
ayos - good luck mr ricca
Ayos. Good luck man.
Good luck!!!
Best of luck 2 U, kapatid
Good Idea. Good luck!! Mike.
All the best. Nice idea.
Good luck dude!
It's such a lovely idea, best of luck!
I hope you win! This is a really good idea.
This is a lovely idea. In bleak times, finding joy can be an amazing thing.
Mike, I certainly admire anyone who not only realizes their dream but also ernestly pursues that dream! Enjoy Life! Veo Rice
You go boy!
good luck focalmatter. there are a lot of selfish "dreams" on this website. yours is the most unselfish i have seen.
You deserve it!
Sorry I didn't mean to flag your idea dude, I got click happy. Tell your mom I finally voted!
Inspire us!
Good luck Mike!
Go Mike go!
mike, hope you win. - jesse
hey if you win, can i come?
Finding joy sounds like a good quest to me.
Good luck sir!
Voting for this like mad
YAY! Go Mike! My mom made me do this ;0... -Mia
We could all use a little happiness.
I really hope you make it mang!!-Jamie
gorgeous idea
Submitted by
focalmatterTop 10
rank: 1
- 1315
-
Picture Hope
rank: 2
- 1185
-
Spectrum
rank: 3
rank: 4
- 1168
-
Changes in Latitudes: Photo-chronicling the world by navigating up the globe six degrees at a time.
rank: 5
rank: 6
rank: 7
rank: 8
There are 12 ideas tied for spots in the top 10.
See the Top 100.
I like the stories that will come out of this and the happiness that can potentially ripple from this project.