How noisy (with LOVE, of course) can we be? Can we activate a movement in the next 12 days to encourage 1,000 people to make $10 donations, using the power of social media?
This is more difficult than it sounds, and will take COMMITMENT on places like Facebook, twitter, and online sites, but the energy we can cultivate will be more powerful than we can imagine! For those of you who don't think your $10 is enough or your voice is enough, I invite you to experience the shift, from a place of divine, radiant, unique, enthusiastic, inextinguishable love.
This doesn't mean you can't give more if you wish. By all means. If you want to give $20, $50, $100, $1000, and be contributing for 2, 5, 10, or 100 people, as always my gratitude for you and your contribution is available and abundant, and I thank you always. But if your strengths currently lie more in the energy/networking/shout it out elements, more so than financial, this one's for YOU.
Will you help??? With excitement? For 12 days?? Namaste.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Mandela's Words of Wisdom
Today I will take my inspiration directly from the words of one of the most beloved, revered, and respected men on this planet, as I work to help manifest his hopeful vision of a peaceful and well South Africa.
A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination.
Nelson Mandela
After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb.
Nelson Mandela
Does anybody really think that they didn't get what they had because they didn't have the talent or the strength or the endurance or the commitment?
Nelson Mandela
Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.
Nelson Mandela
For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.
Nelson Mandela
I detest racialism, because I regard it as a barbaric thing, whether it comes from a black man or a white man.
Nelson Mandela
I dream of an Africa which is in peace with itself.
Nelson Mandela
I dream of the realization of the unity of Africa, whereby its leaders combine in their efforts to solve the problems of this continent. I dream of our vast deserts, of our forests, of all our great wildernesses.
Nelson Mandela
I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.
Nelson Mandela
If there are dreams about a beautiful South Africa, there are also roads that lead to their goal. Two of these roads could be named Goodness and Forgiveness.
Nelson Mandela
If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.
Nelson Mandela
If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then he becomes your partner.
Nelson Mandela
It always seems impossible until its done.
Nelson Mandela
It is better to lead from behind and to put others in front, especially when you celebrate victory when nice things occur. You take the front line when there is danger. Then people will appreciate your leadership.
Nelson Mandela
Let freedom reign. The sun never set on so glorious a human achievement.
Nelson Mandela
Let there be work, bread, water and salt for all.
Nelson Mandela
Money won't create success, the freedom to make it will.
Nelson Mandela
Never, never and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another.
Nelson Mandela
Only free men can negotiate; prisoners cannot enter into contracts. Your freedom and mine cannot be separated.
Nelson Mandela
There can be no keener revelation of a society's soul than the way in which it treats its children.
Nelson Mandela
There is no easy walk to freedom anywhere, and many of us will have to pass through the valley of the shadow of death again and again before we reach the mountaintop of our desires.
Nelson Mandela
There is no passion to be found playing small - in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.
Nelson Mandela
There is no such thing as part freedom.
Nelson Mandela
There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered.
Nelson Mandela
When the water starts boiling it is foolish to turn off the heat.
Nelson Mandela
We must use time wisely and forever realize that the time is always ripe to do right.
Nelson Mandela
Namaste.
A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination.
Nelson Mandela
After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb.
Nelson Mandela
Does anybody really think that they didn't get what they had because they didn't have the talent or the strength or the endurance or the commitment?
Nelson Mandela
Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.
Nelson Mandela
For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.
Nelson Mandela
I detest racialism, because I regard it as a barbaric thing, whether it comes from a black man or a white man.
Nelson Mandela
I dream of an Africa which is in peace with itself.
Nelson Mandela
I dream of the realization of the unity of Africa, whereby its leaders combine in their efforts to solve the problems of this continent. I dream of our vast deserts, of our forests, of all our great wildernesses.
Nelson Mandela
I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.
Nelson Mandela
If there are dreams about a beautiful South Africa, there are also roads that lead to their goal. Two of these roads could be named Goodness and Forgiveness.
Nelson Mandela
If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.
Nelson Mandela
If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then he becomes your partner.
Nelson Mandela
It always seems impossible until its done.
Nelson Mandela
It is better to lead from behind and to put others in front, especially when you celebrate victory when nice things occur. You take the front line when there is danger. Then people will appreciate your leadership.
Nelson Mandela
Let freedom reign. The sun never set on so glorious a human achievement.
Nelson Mandela
Let there be work, bread, water and salt for all.
Nelson Mandela
Money won't create success, the freedom to make it will.
Nelson Mandela
Never, never and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another.
Nelson Mandela
Only free men can negotiate; prisoners cannot enter into contracts. Your freedom and mine cannot be separated.
Nelson Mandela
There can be no keener revelation of a society's soul than the way in which it treats its children.
Nelson Mandela
There is no easy walk to freedom anywhere, and many of us will have to pass through the valley of the shadow of death again and again before we reach the mountaintop of our desires.
Nelson Mandela
There is no passion to be found playing small - in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.
Nelson Mandela
There is no such thing as part freedom.
Nelson Mandela
There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered.
Nelson Mandela
When the water starts boiling it is foolish to turn off the heat.
Nelson Mandela
We must use time wisely and forever realize that the time is always ripe to do right.
Nelson Mandela
Namaste.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
WORLD AIDS DAY
Did you know that today is WORLD AIDS DAY, designed as a day to draw together, across international lines, and do what we can to PREVENT, and one day ELIMINATE, this horrible disease.
I don't need to elaborate how vital this is, or spend time breaking down stereotypes long proven wrong: we know that HIV/AIDS can affect ANYONE, regardless of race, class, religion, morality, age, socioeconomic status, sexual preference, or gender. We know that every person infected by this disease is someone's son or daughter, and is here for some larger purpose in the scheme of our world, and that every person's life has value. If we can find one solution to prevent one new infection this year, World AIDS Day 2010 will not be in vain.
In the early 1980s we knew of 40 cases of HIV/AIDS Worldwide. Today that number is roughly 40 MILLION, and 30% of those infected reside in South Africa ALONE. This is due to many factors of course, but clearly many of them point to one area that has been sorely neglected: PREVENTION. To prevent this disease, people must be educated about methods of transmission, ways to protect their body, and be instilled with a belief in the worth and value of their lives.
Every single project being supported by Off the Mat's fund raising efforts will assist in HIV/AIDS prevention: the children's home, school library, Earthchild classroom, and GOLD mentoring program will all help the children of District 6 in Cape Town to foster healthy choices and knowledge of self care and prevention. The halfway house will give a safe and supportive environment to those struggling with addiction to prevent needle transmission. The bakery will employ those adults in the halfway home and feed the children in the children's homes. These projects are all aimed at creating a more long-term effective solution and providing a healthy outlook for generations of Cape Town's youth. And we will ALL have a healthier, happier world as a result. Win, win, win, win, win.
If you are blessed today with life, with health, and with the abundance to give SOMETHING toward this cause, of any amount, please know in the depths of your heart that you have made a CONTRIBUTION, and are helping to create a better, safer, more vibrant and alive world. Thank you, and Namaste.
I don't need to elaborate how vital this is, or spend time breaking down stereotypes long proven wrong: we know that HIV/AIDS can affect ANYONE, regardless of race, class, religion, morality, age, socioeconomic status, sexual preference, or gender. We know that every person infected by this disease is someone's son or daughter, and is here for some larger purpose in the scheme of our world, and that every person's life has value. If we can find one solution to prevent one new infection this year, World AIDS Day 2010 will not be in vain.
In the early 1980s we knew of 40 cases of HIV/AIDS Worldwide. Today that number is roughly 40 MILLION, and 30% of those infected reside in South Africa ALONE. This is due to many factors of course, but clearly many of them point to one area that has been sorely neglected: PREVENTION. To prevent this disease, people must be educated about methods of transmission, ways to protect their body, and be instilled with a belief in the worth and value of their lives.
Every single project being supported by Off the Mat's fund raising efforts will assist in HIV/AIDS prevention: the children's home, school library, Earthchild classroom, and GOLD mentoring program will all help the children of District 6 in Cape Town to foster healthy choices and knowledge of self care and prevention. The halfway house will give a safe and supportive environment to those struggling with addiction to prevent needle transmission. The bakery will employ those adults in the halfway home and feed the children in the children's homes. These projects are all aimed at creating a more long-term effective solution and providing a healthy outlook for generations of Cape Town's youth. And we will ALL have a healthier, happier world as a result. Win, win, win, win, win.
If you are blessed today with life, with health, and with the abundance to give SOMETHING toward this cause, of any amount, please know in the depths of your heart that you have made a CONTRIBUTION, and are helping to create a better, safer, more vibrant and alive world. Thank you, and Namaste.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
A Call for Angels
Just a brief and incredibly forward note to share before I re-direct you to the abundance post below.
As always, I am eternally grateful for every single dollar contributed to this fund: I appreciate you and could not reach my goal without your generosity!
***That said, it's time for me to make a Call for Angels.***
With 25 days left in my challenge, my best projections currently put me roughly $10,000 short of the goal that has become my single purpose of 2010: raise $20,000 for Off the Mat, Into the World's Global Seva Challenge: South Africa, to benefit these 6 incredible charities and allow me to travel personally to Cape Town and serve in the manifestation of these projects hands-on.
I need the help of Angels. I am asking you, along with the Universe, to help me manifest a miracle, and bring this project the support of ANGEL DONORS - those inspired, able, and willing to give $2500, $5000, $7500, or even one amazing Angel to give $10,000 to this project. Doing so will change forever and for the better more lives than I can count. Including my own.
And so I put myself out there, take the risk... and I ask. Because sometimes the best thing you can do for a person is to give them the chance to support you.
As always, I am eternally grateful for every single dollar contributed to this fund: I appreciate you and could not reach my goal without your generosity!
***That said, it's time for me to make a Call for Angels.***
With 25 days left in my challenge, my best projections currently put me roughly $10,000 short of the goal that has become my single purpose of 2010: raise $20,000 for Off the Mat, Into the World's Global Seva Challenge: South Africa, to benefit these 6 incredible charities and allow me to travel personally to Cape Town and serve in the manifestation of these projects hands-on.
I need the help of Angels. I am asking you, along with the Universe, to help me manifest a miracle, and bring this project the support of ANGEL DONORS - those inspired, able, and willing to give $2500, $5000, $7500, or even one amazing Angel to give $10,000 to this project. Doing so will change forever and for the better more lives than I can count. Including my own.
And so I put myself out there, take the risk... and I ask. Because sometimes the best thing you can do for a person is to give them the chance to support you.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Abundance All Around Us
I know on a forum like this it may seem strange to write about the incredible abundance in my life: I have a running donation tracker next to this post detailing exactly what I DON'T have, what I NEED, what I LACK in order to reach my goal, and the ratio of that to what I've raised is certainly higher than ideal with four weeks left in my challenge. I'm asking for money and exhausting my resources of time, energy, space, contacts: possibly even sacrificing friendships (though I certainly hope not!) by being all-consumed with a project involved in raising MORE.
All of this is true. And my life is ABUNDANT. I'm going to write about THAT.
I am SO blessed: truly. I come from an amazing family that always provided consistency and structure and security and hot casseroles on holidays and out-of-tune birthday songs at monthly gatherings, that still welcomes me home with open arms. I have long friendships that make my heart sing and love me absolutely unconditionally. I have new friendships that inspire me and support me in being my best self and living big. I live in the best city in the world, full of creativity and energy and culture and art; and I have the BEST possible weekend getaway a few hours away, full of sacred woods and organic food and cuddly people piles, beds in quiet nooks, and rose petals that litter the floor, inside! I have music in me, and a strong healthy body that allows me to express it. I have a strong spiritual faith that guides me and supports me and helps me trust that all will be well. The Universe has got my back. I have a happy little apartment with hardwood floors and a soft mattress and giant windows that let in the sunshine. I have food to eat. Sometimes it's dark chocolate and berries. I have a cat that cuddles under covers and waits up for me until bedtime. I've had the enormous gift of discovering INCREDIBLE pocket families of support at literally every phase of my life: from my hometown, to Young Americans, T. Schreiber Acting Studio, Integrative Nutrition, Sonic Yoga, IntenSati... and hopefully Off the Mat, Into the World. I have consistently attracted GOOD PEOPLE into my life; this is not something I take for granted. I am capable of connection and compassion and have the capacity to use these gifts as an artist. I have my deepening beautiful yoga practice, and an awesome community in which it can grow. I have my IntenSati practice and the ways it changes my life for the better. I have the awareness that I am part of a human experience far beyond myself, and so I am never alone. I come from the life-promoting Earth, and so I am never beyond growth. And I have a belief, unshakable, that the world is a GOOD place, full of LIGHT and LOVE, and healing is all around us.
I am blessed with abundant HOPE: the very foundational belief, sometimes unsupported, in a positive outcome. I was born with this, it's absolutely innate and guides my life always. It's what some LOVE about me and what sometimes drives my mother crazy (only because she doesn't want me to be disappointed and the actions hope drives me to take are sometimes hard to keep up with - love you Mom!). In the darkest of dark patches in my history, the light of hope has remained, at times dimmed but never extinguished. And this is in part because of all the many gifts of love I've listed above that have been liberally poured into my life by the Universe... resulting in the support of my enthusiastic, inextinguishable Hope. What an abundant blessing!
The practice of gratitude in my life that began a year ago this month created a brand new chapter and has radically changed my experience. And it instigated a series of events, choices and opportunities that ultimately led me to this challenge. And as difficult as this challenge is proving to be (and it IS, trust me - it's making me come up against every single wall and look at every ugly piece and rubbing against every rough spot that exists within myself), looking back it makes me drop to my proverbial knees as I write this and reverently say THANK YOU for all of it. I am grateful for the goodness in life that made me take this leap of faith, and grateful for the obstacles that are being placed in my way. Regardless of outcome, I am being blessed by this experience and the growth in me that is required to keep moving forward.
Because I do believe in this project and its success. I believe Off the Mat, Into the World is going to radically positively shift the conditions in Cape Town. I believe that these shifts will in turn positively affect every. single. beating. heart. on. this. Earth. I believe this will heal a corner of humanity in ways so profound that every one of our little microscopic cells will have a microscopic benefit. I believe that every single little healing that occurs for one helps enliven and heal the human condition and benefits our larger human body. Because we're all a part of that one great body, after all.
What a blessing to have something big and profound to believe in! The entry of Off the Mat's Global Seva Challenge into my life is an absolute GIFT, reigniting my hope from a flicker into a full-blown wild fire!
And it has CONFIRMED for me the subtle hunch that showing TRUE GRATITUDE for our abundant blessings is done through GIVING: our time, service, resources, love, funds... it is in the giving back to the greater good that has blessed us that we are again rewarded with renewed beauty and blessing.
So today, I will continue to move forward, continue to share this project with anyone who will listen and with enormous GRATITUDE say THANK YOU to all who are supporting it with your energy, enthusiasm, encouragement, and of course donations, since that's the tangible marker of the challenge's ultimate "success."
But the marker of abundance in my life? It is already done. It's everywhere, all around me, unshakable. It's renewable and regenerative and constantly reminding me of the grace and beauty that is inherent to every single human experience on this Earth. It's in you reading this post.
For that, I am grateful.
And Love is everywhere.
And collectively we will Heal.
And I am blessed.
And Life is Sweet.
the divine light in me honors the divine light in you - Namaste.
All of this is true. And my life is ABUNDANT. I'm going to write about THAT.
I am SO blessed: truly. I come from an amazing family that always provided consistency and structure and security and hot casseroles on holidays and out-of-tune birthday songs at monthly gatherings, that still welcomes me home with open arms. I have long friendships that make my heart sing and love me absolutely unconditionally. I have new friendships that inspire me and support me in being my best self and living big. I live in the best city in the world, full of creativity and energy and culture and art; and I have the BEST possible weekend getaway a few hours away, full of sacred woods and organic food and cuddly people piles, beds in quiet nooks, and rose petals that litter the floor, inside! I have music in me, and a strong healthy body that allows me to express it. I have a strong spiritual faith that guides me and supports me and helps me trust that all will be well. The Universe has got my back. I have a happy little apartment with hardwood floors and a soft mattress and giant windows that let in the sunshine. I have food to eat. Sometimes it's dark chocolate and berries. I have a cat that cuddles under covers and waits up for me until bedtime. I've had the enormous gift of discovering INCREDIBLE pocket families of support at literally every phase of my life: from my hometown, to Young Americans, T. Schreiber Acting Studio, Integrative Nutrition, Sonic Yoga, IntenSati... and hopefully Off the Mat, Into the World. I have consistently attracted GOOD PEOPLE into my life; this is not something I take for granted. I am capable of connection and compassion and have the capacity to use these gifts as an artist. I have my deepening beautiful yoga practice, and an awesome community in which it can grow. I have my IntenSati practice and the ways it changes my life for the better. I have the awareness that I am part of a human experience far beyond myself, and so I am never alone. I come from the life-promoting Earth, and so I am never beyond growth. And I have a belief, unshakable, that the world is a GOOD place, full of LIGHT and LOVE, and healing is all around us.
I am blessed with abundant HOPE: the very foundational belief, sometimes unsupported, in a positive outcome. I was born with this, it's absolutely innate and guides my life always. It's what some LOVE about me and what sometimes drives my mother crazy (only because she doesn't want me to be disappointed and the actions hope drives me to take are sometimes hard to keep up with - love you Mom!). In the darkest of dark patches in my history, the light of hope has remained, at times dimmed but never extinguished. And this is in part because of all the many gifts of love I've listed above that have been liberally poured into my life by the Universe... resulting in the support of my enthusiastic, inextinguishable Hope. What an abundant blessing!
The practice of gratitude in my life that began a year ago this month created a brand new chapter and has radically changed my experience. And it instigated a series of events, choices and opportunities that ultimately led me to this challenge. And as difficult as this challenge is proving to be (and it IS, trust me - it's making me come up against every single wall and look at every ugly piece and rubbing against every rough spot that exists within myself), looking back it makes me drop to my proverbial knees as I write this and reverently say THANK YOU for all of it. I am grateful for the goodness in life that made me take this leap of faith, and grateful for the obstacles that are being placed in my way. Regardless of outcome, I am being blessed by this experience and the growth in me that is required to keep moving forward.
Because I do believe in this project and its success. I believe Off the Mat, Into the World is going to radically positively shift the conditions in Cape Town. I believe that these shifts will in turn positively affect every. single. beating. heart. on. this. Earth. I believe this will heal a corner of humanity in ways so profound that every one of our little microscopic cells will have a microscopic benefit. I believe that every single little healing that occurs for one helps enliven and heal the human condition and benefits our larger human body. Because we're all a part of that one great body, after all.
What a blessing to have something big and profound to believe in! The entry of Off the Mat's Global Seva Challenge into my life is an absolute GIFT, reigniting my hope from a flicker into a full-blown wild fire!
And it has CONFIRMED for me the subtle hunch that showing TRUE GRATITUDE for our abundant blessings is done through GIVING: our time, service, resources, love, funds... it is in the giving back to the greater good that has blessed us that we are again rewarded with renewed beauty and blessing.
So today, I will continue to move forward, continue to share this project with anyone who will listen and with enormous GRATITUDE say THANK YOU to all who are supporting it with your energy, enthusiasm, encouragement, and of course donations, since that's the tangible marker of the challenge's ultimate "success."
But the marker of abundance in my life? It is already done. It's everywhere, all around me, unshakable. It's renewable and regenerative and constantly reminding me of the grace and beauty that is inherent to every single human experience on this Earth. It's in you reading this post.
For that, I am grateful.
And Love is everywhere.
And collectively we will Heal.
And I am blessed.
And Life is Sweet.
the divine light in me honors the divine light in you - Namaste.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
DEC 5TH EVENT!!!
NEWSFLASH: HOPING TO SEE EVERYONE AT CRASH MANSION ON DECEMBER 5TH!!!Share, post, invite friends, print out flyers of this image and paper the city, and BE THERE - this is NOT to be missed My Loves!
LOVE
Even
after
all this time
the sun never says to the earth,
"You owe me."
Look what happens with a love like that -
it lights the whole world.
*Hafiz*
after
all this time
the sun never says to the earth,
"You owe me."
Look what happens with a love like that -
it lights the whole world.
*Hafiz*
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