Giving back...

This is a picture of my sister's kids. Collin (left), Eliana, and Alec (right). My sister and her husband adopted Collin from Romania. He lived in an orphanage for the first 3 years of his life. He had a pretty rough beginning to his life. I had the great fortune to go with my sis to Romania to bring Collin home. I saw the orphanage where he once lived. It was heart breaking. They are grossly under staffed. They use 2 wash cloths for all the children. One to wipe all their faces and one to wipe all their bums. There is not enough staff to hold the babies and they're often left in their cribs all day. Romania is a very poor country with extremely limited resources for the thousands of forgotten children. My sister's family gave Collin the gift of a loving family, food, and opportunity he never would have experienced otherwise. We are so blessed to have Collin in our lives. Every time I think of Collin I'm reminded of this, but can't help to think of all the many, many children left behind. Millions of children that will never know a loving touch, a parent or mentor to help them make their way in this complicated world, left to fend for themselves without any skills, support, or family. Opportunity will never exist in their vocabulary. I look at Collin and see a young boy with the world at his finger tips. I can't help to think of the thousands of children I saw begging in the streets in Bucharest for any kindness someone might give so they can put some food in their empty belly or scavenge for some shoes to protect their feet through the long winter.

My mom gave Collin a pair of snow boots for his first Christmas with our family. He opened the package and hugged the boots! Then he put them on elated and content. Of course, not thinking of or looking for the many other packages under the tree with his name on them. Meanwhile the other cousins were opening and discarding package after package. That was one of the many lessons in gratitude that Collin has taught our family. He still carries this innate gratitude with him today, always showing unconditional appreciation and love to us.

Have I tugged on your heart strings enough? Consider giving to a charity for those less fortunate. If you would like to learn more about how to help the children in Romania I encourage you to visit http://www.bridgeoflove.net/ This is a foundation to help Orphans in Romania. My sister personally knows the people who run this foundation. So be comforted knowing that your money truly does reach your chosen child. Often we think of little ones, but there are so many teenagers that need help too! So, so many.

A few years ago we decided among some good friends of ours to sponsor a child through a charity rather than give each other gifts. We've been doing this for 3 years now. It's amazing how much we've been able to help another with our money and at the same time relieve some of the holiday giving stress.

This year my husband's family has decided to do the same thing. Rather than buying gifts for each other, we're taking the money we would have spent on each other and donating to a crisis nursery in Arizona where my sister-in-law works. I've found that this has started some great conversations of gratitude in the family, and again, I don't have to waste hours wondering among items produced in China figuring out which one to purchase for them.

In this time, when people are talking recession and how hard things have been it's a great reality check. Sure money is more tight than in the past, but I never have to think about how I'm going to put food on the table or figure out how to get through the winter with out shoes! Next time your in a big department store trying to figure out what to buy those on your list that don't need anything, consider this option. There are so many in need locally and globally.

If this doesn't quite speak to you then give of your time.

And the race is on...

Christmas is on it's way. I guess in many ways it's already here. For the days leading up to the big day we would like to share with you some holiday gift giving ideas that cost little to nothing monetarily, and hopefully mean quite a bit to the loved one's in your life.

In my family we have a tradition we call the 12 days of Christmas. Twelve days before the 25th we choose a person or family in the community and leave an anonymous gift for them each day until Dec. 25th.

Yes, this can be an investment if you choose. It's really fun to get creative and not spend a lot of money. How about baking or giving a nice loaf of bread, or any kind of food? Other ideas I like are poems or inspiring quotes, pictures, socks, scarves, gloves, a journal, or playing cards. There are so many ideas. If you have kids, then your craft options are endless.

I love this, because it is so much fun to be sneaky and watch your chosen receivers ponder over who in the world is thinking of them. I find that the actual gift doesn't really matter. The fact that someone is thinking of them means the very most.

Maybe you don't want to commit to 12 days. Maybe one day suits you better or a random act of kindness. Maybe you go to a rest home one day and give out hugs! That's a good one! The possibilities are as endless as joy you and your receiver will feel.

I remember one time I was walking through the parking lot to a grocery store and a person that appeared to be homeless passed in front of me and his bag of belongings broke, so I gave him my canvas grocery bags. The bewilderment on his face was great.

May your heart be filled with kindness in this giving season.

Jodi

Hands that shape humanity

Ok, I admit it; I've fallen for Archbishop Desmond Tutu. It all started when Bono sang about of him. I thought, "Who is this guy? If Bono feels the need to sing about him then I want to know more!" Thank you, Bono.

Then years (dare I say a decade) later, I was looking at pictures of Dr. Emoto's water crystals and I found the photo of the word Ubuntu (a previous blog.) When I googled Ubuntu, Desmond Tutu's name came up. My interest was piqued again.

Later, I'm searching through the Iconoclast series (Sundance Channel) and I see there's an episode with Desmond Tutu and what's his name (Richard Branson, a really incredible guy too). I watched and was captivated by Desmond Tutu. He is playful, joyful, and so cute, and I just want to hug him! He lives his truth. He lives the art of letting go, while living intentionally, responsibly, and for the greater good of everyone! He's got it goin' on!

Tonight I decided to google Desmond (so much better than TV), which led me to http://www.handsthatshapehumanity.org/. This is one of the most incredibly beautiful, artistic, and fun positive intent project I've seen. Their message displayed reads "If there is only one message of wisdom you could leave behind for humanity, what would it be?" Hmmm, thought provoking.

I invite you all to ponder this question and the word Ubuntu this holiday season. Consider giving your time, attention, and love. The most precious gifts aren't objects. Recession can never include acts of kindness or Ubuntu. In fact, the more Ubuntu you give, the more there is! What an exciting thought!

I hope you all give plenty of Ubuntu this year and catch the Tutu fever!

In peace,

Jodi

Ubuntu

The word Ubuntu is Dr. Emoto's featured water crystal right now. Ubuntu is defined as the ethic or humanist philosophy focusing on people's allegiance and relations with each other. It is a word derived from Africa.

I love this picture of Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela, as well as their definitions of Ubuntu...

Desmond Tutu describes Ubuntu by stating that a person with Ubuntu is open and available to others, affirming of others, does not feel threatened that others are able and good, for he or she has proper self-assurance that comes from knowing that he or she belongs in a greater whole and is diminished when others are humiliated or diminished, when others are tortured or oppressed.

Nelson Mandela says Ubuntu is when a traveller through a country would stop at a village and he didn't have to ask for food or water. Once he stops, the people give him food, entertain him. Ubuntu does not mean that people should not address themselves. The question therefore is ~Are you going to do so in order to enable the community around you to be able to improve?

What thought provoking philosophies. What does Ubuntu mean to you?

Hope and Change~For the People, By the People

Be the change you wish to see in the world

Ghandi said it best~ "Be the change you wish to see in the world."

We have unfathomable power through our words, thoughts, and intent. They literally create our world, our reality!

Hope and Change~By the People, For the People is a project that encourages community to collectively set an intention of a peaceful and fair election process and for the safety of our newly elected leaders as they go forth in service to the greatest good of our planet and its people, restoring balance and harmony.

Do your part wherever your are, whenever you can. Have friends over to your house for a potluck and discussion on what a positive election process is and what strong, healthy leaders look like to you. What does liberty and justice for all mean to you? Do something through your school, your community, your church. Just do something. Change begins with yourself. Now is the time!

People worldwide are setting their intentions for change! Check out the following link: http://www.naturalnews.com/024576.html

In Peace,

Jodi

The Power of Sound, Intention and Love

I just returned from an amazing Shamanic Sound Healing Workshop with Chilean Medicine Woman Luzclara. Together we, twenty-eight women and one gentleman, embraced our connection with one another, the earth and spirit through meditation, breathing, sound, dance, chanting and drumming. The sacred space we created through our intention and love was very powerful. I really had no expectation going into the workshop. The power of sound in healing keeps coming up in my meditations and sessions with clients and I knew I needed to explore that more. So, I opened myself up to expansion and clarity.

Several participants had cathartic healing responses during our meditations and ceremony. It was an honor to hold the place for them as they let go and allowed their light to shine brightly, to heal. I thought, well, this is cool. However, I was a bit surprised that I did not feel as connected to the process as the other participants did. But, I knew I was supposed to be there, so I let go of judgement and continued to be present. Then it hit me like a lightening bolt striking my heart center, opening me up to the universe and reminding me of my purpose, no joke! This happened when Luzclara briefly spoke about her country, Chile, and the intensity of her life through years of living in the face of fear, fascism and the whims of dictators. As she spoke, my heart opened more and the tears flowed. She spoke of Pinochet and the the violence of his leadership, the men and women who were imprisoned for speaking their truth, others that were murdered or disappeared. She spoke of her discovering the power of prayer and intention and how it transformed her anger into love. She spoke of how her sisters, 3,500 of them, came together for one week with one intention. They, through the power of sound, intention and love, would pray that Pinochet would leave without bloodshed. They drummed, cried, healed, danced, chanted, ate, celebrated life, sent thoughts of love, peace and harmony out to the universe for 5 days straight. There were no cries of "down with Pinochet" or battle cries, only chants, thoughts of love and peace. Then they went their separate ways. But, continued to hold the intention in their hearts and thoughts. Within 2 weeks, Pinochet upset our government and long story short, an election was demanded and the people voted him out and he left without bloodshed. This occurred 3 months after the women concluded their ceremony.

I was riveted. I was crying heavily and there was an understanding in my heart. This was the story that I was to hear that day, this was what I was to bring home with me. Luzclara awoke in me, with her story, a need to be more responsible, a need to lead without fear, to help make the change we so desperately need on our planet and to wake up and step up to my purpose.

Whoa...was I up to it (fear talking again!)? Where do I begin? I drove home in silence and listened to my heart and mind formulate ideas, letting them come and go without judgement and fear. It was no surprise to me that when I checked our blog for entries last night that Jodi had also found herself in a place of wanting to hold a place of peace during this election time. I told you that we often come up with ideas at the same time, finish each others sentences....I love that!

We have decided to hold the space for our community to collectively set an intention of a peaceful and fair election process and for the safety of our newly elected leaders as they go forth in service to the greatest good of our planet and its people, restoring balance and harmony. Can you see it now, can you feel it, breath it? Ahhhhh...

Check back in a couple days for details on how you can join us, be empowered during this election process and help to create a peaceful planet!

In peace and light, Erin