by Tammy
Her lonely heart longs to feel,
eternal desire, a love that’s real,
Two souls of one, the heart combines.
Never want to separate the fire they spark,
Hoping one day her will to manifest,
Diminishing her emptiness.
Bully Blues Busters: Positive Ways to Promote Kindness March 6, 2013
The National Education Association estimates that 160,000 children miss school every day due to fears of being attacked or intimidated by other students. Bullying is more than a buzz-word. According to StopBullying.gov, it’s defined as unwanted, aggressive behavior among school-age children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance.
Kelly Hughes, a school counselor at Bayside Academy, in Daphne, Alabama, has noticed a dramatic shift in bullying behaviors. She observes, “Kids are not hitting or punching or pushing each other as much as they used to. Rather, they are using in-person relational aggression such as hurtful words, glares, whispering and excluding people, exacerbated by social media and cell phones.
While anti-bullying legislation exists in 49 states ( Montana is the exception), approaches for addressing this problem vary. Hughes says, “In my job, I spend a lot of time saying, ‘Just be kind.’ More positive results come from promoting kind behaviors and being ‘pro-hero’ than from simply discussing why bullying is hurtful.”
Calmly Taking Charge
Eric D. Dawson, president and co-founder of Boston-based Peace First (PeaceFirst.org), also believes in the power of positive language. ”We need to move away from harsh language that focuses kids on what not to do and instead ignite their moral imagination–call on them to be problem solvers,” he says.
To counter bullying in society, Dawson suggests that we all need to be role models, and talk about and celebrate peacemaking. ”We can’t expect our kids to listen to us when we tell them to be peaceful and share if they then see us aggressively cut in front of others on the road or in the checkout line. We can also ask kids how they were peacemakers during their day, in addition to what they learned.
Founded in 1992 in response to the youth violence epidemic, Peace First provides programs and free online tools to help teach students peacemaking skills. The nonprofit is based on the premise that children have a natural aptitude for it and peacemaking can be taught, just like other subjects; their curriculum teaches and reinforces core social/emotional skills in communication, creative conflict resolution, courage, coöperation, empathy and civic engagement.
A New York City student remarks, “Peace First teaches that even if you don’t like someone, it shouldn’t affect how you work together to accomplish something…[putting] peace first makes my heart beat lovelier.”
Good for Us and Others
The International Forgiveness Institute (IFI) (InternationalForgiveness.com), in Madison, Wisconsin, has added its support to the anti-bullying movement. Stemming from the research of IFI founder Robert Enright, Ph.D., and his colleagues, the institute works to forward forgiveness for personal, group and societal renewal. It attests that in forgiving a hurtful person, a personal transformation begins that can enhance self-esteem and hopefulness. Enright’s scientific studies further demonstrate that when children learn about forgiveness, feelings of anger, depression and anxiety are reduced.
“We believe that forgiveness is a choice,” explains Enright. ”When you forgive, you may benefit the person you forgive, but you benefit yourself far more.”
Enright recalls his experience working with incarcerated men that were serving life sentences. ”The first thing the assigned therapists asked the group to do was to tell me their story; tell me about the hurts that had been perpetrated on them. One man began to cry, sayinig that no one had ever asked for his story.” The therapists listened to a tale of the cruel disciplinary measures he had endured at home as a child and recognized a correlation with the crime he had committed. ”I’m not justifying his actions, but we can see that he was an extremely wounded man. Many bullies in school have a story, and we need to take the time to hear their story.
“Because those that engage in bullying are often filled with rage from having been bullied themselves, they get to a point that they don’t care about the consequences of their actions, including detention,” Enright continues. Instead of focusing on the prevention of unwanted behaviors, he says, “Our program is meant to take the anger out of the heart of those that bully, so they bully no more.”
An elementary school-age participant in the Forgiveness Program concludes, “Sometimes it is hard to forgive someone straight away if they really hurt your feelings. It might take longer to see their worth and show then real forgiveness…but it is worth it in the end.”
Article by Meredith Montgomery
Meredith Montgomery is the publisher of Natural Awakenings Mobile/Baldwin, AL (HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com).
The Person that Brightened Up the Night February 6, 2013
On Sunday night around 7:00 p.m. as the air began to turn cold, the restaurant door opened and a tall man with a hat, beard and a duffel bag entered the restaurant. Even though I assumed his life situation was not one of the greatest, he had a smile on his face despite the circumstances. He asked how much a slice of pizza was and I said $1.75. Suddenly his smile quickly turned into disappointment. Then Natalie came up and heard that he was asking about the pizza, so she warmed up a slice and gave it to him. He then asked if he could sit down and eat, because he would have to walk a long distance to be able to eat the slice of pizza. We said sure. He took his stuff to sit down and enjoy his pizza, along with a nice cool glass of water.
A few minutes later, the lady who was sitting just a couple of booths away came up to the counter and gave me $2.00 and said give him another slice, but don’t tell him it was from me. I had no words. All I could think was that how nice it was and what a big heart she had.
So, we brought him another slice of pizza and he got nervous and said: “I can’t afford that.” We said, “don’t worry about it.”
It was Superbowl Sunday and you could tell he was interested in football.
The whole time he sat there, I was sad to see that this is how he had to live. And also the many people who are struggling. Not to mention the fact that it could be any one of us at any time.
So, the next time you see someone who is not as fortunate as you, take a minute to let them know that they are just as important and loved as you. You never know what it could mean to them.
Peace and love,
Tammy
Each Blessing Counts, So Embrace Every Gift November 16, 2012
In counting our daily blessings, we find that even uneventful or difficult days possess precious gifts. Consider all the contributions that make it possible for family members to gather for the holidays–the workers that helped construct and keep up the vehicles that brought us here, the house where we come together and the trees that light the fireplace. Consider the food that nourishes us, thanks to the Sun’s energy, Earth’s minerals and rain and the labor of the farmers, processors, truckers, retailers and cooks. Whether or not the holidays fulfill our expectations, we have much for which to be grateful.
As the Buddhist monk THich Nhat Hanh points out, every blessing is the gift of the universe. When we stop and really look, we see that we are supported continuously in countless ways.
Author Roger L’Estrange noted in the 17th century how humans tended to “mistake the gratuitous blessings of heaven for the fruits of our own industry.” We awaken when the alarm goes off due to the skill of the technology’s engineers, designers, assembly workers, distributors and salespeople. We can turn on the light because power company workers are supplying the electricity. Our morning spiritual practice is the gift of generations of teachers and writers that observed the truth and shared what they learned. It feels good to be bowled over by each moment of grace and the simplest act of kindness.
Such gratitude flows when we break out of a petty point of view–with its self-centered expectations and demands–to appreciate that through the labors, intentions and existence of an inconceivably large number of other people, life forms and elements, we have been given the miracle of life, with all its present goodness. This heightened awareness of our connection spontaneously fills us with a joy and gratitude that transforms our experience. Thankfully, gratitude can be cultivated. It simply takes practice in being present to what is being given.
It helps to stay aware of some of the most pernicious obstacles to thankfulness, and one of the most obvious is the failure to notice what we have, including a roof over our head and someone to love. As Joni Mitchell sang, “You don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone.” So the first step is to start paying attention to gifts that have always been there, but until now went unnoticed and unappreciated.
We are rich in what counts and never truly alone, because we are always supported by the universe. The 13th-century mystic Meister Eckhart counseled, “If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, ‘Thank you,’ that would suffice.”
I felt inspired by this article today and wanted to share it with my friends. May we remember to be grateful, because life is truly a gift.
Frank Jude Boccio is the author of Mindfulness Yoga (MindfulnessYoga.net).
The Theft That Could Ruin Thanksgiving for Many November 2, 2012
I was disheartened just a few minutes ago when I read an article in the newspaper about someone stealing a truck from Mustard Seed Ministries, used to pick up donations for families in need. Mustard Seed Ministries is a faith-based nonprofit that has organized the annual holiday feast for the past 23 years. The immediate concern for Mustard Seed was that someone will fraudulently solicit or pick up donations using the truck, which has Mustard Seed logos on both sides, according to program director, Stacy Malinowski. She urged people not to give donations to anyone who comes to their home or business unless they are wearing an official Mustard Seed T-Shirt with logos on it. Someone apparently used a tool to break into the truck and then hotwired it at about 10:00 p.m. A Mustard Seed employee who saw the truck heading onto Florida’s Turnpike from Okeechobee Road reported the theft. Fort Pierce police had not recovered the truck yet, and are still investigating. The theft left Mustard Seed with only one truck to pick up donations and haul tents, equipment and other items to the site of the Thanksgiving meal. The trucks also are used to deliver furniture donations to the Mustard Seed Thrift Store, whose proceeds help people in need. Though the truck was insured, the settlement won’t be enough to buy a new truck and won’t be received before the meal. They are considering renting a truck which will take away money from their organization to help people in the community.
DONATIONS SOUGHT
Many of the more than 13,000 people expected to participate in the annual Thanksgiving Community Feast this year are among those who have lost their jobs or can’t afford to buy turkey and the trimmings. Loneliness drives others there. Like an older man dressed in a suit and tie who showed up last year, Malinowski recalled. She was still mourning the loss of her husband when she talked to the man, who told her “he lost his wife two months ago and he didn’t want to be alone.” The man was thankful for having that opportunity to spend Thanksgiving with others, she said. ”There are a lot of people who can’t afford a meal,” she said. ”That’s a good portion of what it’s about, but that’s not all it’s about.” With the continuing slow economy, it has become increasingly difficult to obtain enough food and supplies, Malinowski said. To meet the need, 1,000 turkeys are needed, and now we only have 420. Donations and volunteers are needed to help make this year’s event a success. Aside from money and gift cards, people are needed to donate cooked and deboned turkeys in advance, as well as prepare and serve food for the feast and deliver cooked turkeys on Thanksgiving Day. The dinner includes turkey, mashed potatoes, green beans, rolls and dessert. Publix donates most of the desserts, but more are needed, Malinowski said. Mustard Seed started the event, but named it the “Thanksgiving Community Feast” because that’s what it takes. Volunteers include 35 churches, schools and colleges and more than 2,000 individuals, she said. One perennial volunteer is the Big Heart Brigade of the Treasure Coast, St. Lucie County Firefighters smoke about 100 turkeys for the cause, according to fire district spokeswoman Catherine Chaney, St. Lucie County Schools with culinary programs also cook turkeys. ”Without the community, this would not happen,” Malinowski said.
If you live in the Fort Pierce or Port St. Lucie Florida area, there are many ways that you can help.
To report on stolen truck: Call 772-465-6021
To prepare meals: Call 772-465-6021 in advance.
To serve meals: Plan to work from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
To deliver meals: Sign in at volunteer tent at 9:30 a.m. on November 22nd.
To donate cash, checks, gift cards:
Mustard Seed Ministries, P.O. Box 3612, Fort Pierce, FL 34948. Write “Thanksgiving” on check’s memo line.
To donate cooked and deboned turkeys: Drop off from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, November 21st at
St. Mark’s Missionary Baptist Church, 921 Orange Ave., Fort Pierce: or from 8-11 a.m. Thanksgiving Day
at Orange Avenue and Ninth Street, Fort Pierce.
Where and When the event will be held:
Orange Avenue and Ninth Street, Fort Pierce and The Refuge, 7650 S. U.S. 1 in Port St. Lucie
For home meal delivery: Call 772-460-5414 before November 19th.
*If you would like anymore information or have questions, you can contact me via email at peace.love69@hotmail.com.*
This will be my third year volunteering and am looking forward to serving again this year.
Let’s help make this Thanksgiving a blessed and safe one for everyone.
May you be blessed,
Tammy More
Gandhi: The Ultimate Minimilast October 14, 2012
FIVE POWERFUL LESSONS
“You may have occasion to possess or use material things, but the secret of life lies in never missing them.”~Mohandas Gandhi
Political and spiritual leader Mohandas Gandhi practiced total simplicity and minimalism, leaving and admirable legacy of how to live. Born into a prosperous family, he enjoyed a privileged upbringing and studied law at University College, London, in England. When he left Earth, he had fewer than 10 possessions.
In contrast, most of us tend to spend a lot of time and energy accumulating and looking after possessions; by having less, life naturally becomes simpler. We can take up author Dave Bruno’s The 100 Thing Challenge and start cutting down to bare basics by recycling, refusing to accept more stuff and giving away or selling unwanted possessions.
Accumulate little. Gandhi believed in possessing only the clothes, sandals, watch and spectacles he wore and some cooking and eating utensils. He would give away or auction any gift he received.
Eat simple food. Gandhi never had a problem being overweight. He followed a strict vegetarian diet and often cooked his own simple, locally produced foods. He ate from a small bowl, a reminder to eat moderately and mindfully, often accompanied by prayers.
Dress simply. Gandhi wore simple clothes, often just a wraparound cloth, for modesty and comfort. A simple hairstyle can shorten daily grooming. Gandhi shaved off his hair.
Lead a simple, stress-free life. Gandhi meditated daily and spent hours in reflection and prayer. Though he was a revered world leader, he led a simple life with few distractions and commitments and would interrupt political meetings to play with children. Gandhi insisted on doing his own simple tasks. He advocated self-sufficiency and simple work.
Let your life be your message. A prolific, concise writer and powerful speaker in public; in private, Gandhi spoke quietly and only when necessary. He preferred to let his life talk to him.
By living a simple life, Gandhi was able to devote himself to his chosen higher purpose and focus on his commitment to his people and the world. Accordingly, consistent focus determines anyone’s success and the potential for leaving one’s own inspiring legacy.
Arvind Devalia is the author of the bestselling Get the Life You Love, and inspirational coach and prolific blogger.
Connect at ArvindDevalia.com/blog.
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE: SEPTEMBER 21
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE: SEPTEMBER 21.
Tomorrow is the International Day of Peace. Wanted to share this beautiful mediation from the 3Ho Foundation. Even though tomorrow is the recognized Day of Peace, why not live in peace every day.
Please share with your friends. Thank you.
Peace and love to everyone,
Tammy
Honor World Peace Day, September 21, 2012
Peace Mail: Spreading Good Will on Earth Through Art
Painter Franck de Las Mercedes, of New York City, has combined a pair of hopeful concepts—world peace and free art for all—in a quickly broadening art initiative inspired by an “Aha!” moment a the local post office.
“I had always painted on the boxes I shipped my paintings in,” relates the native Nicaraguan. “One day, a postal clerk commented that my boxes were like works of art. I thought about how I had prompted the worker to pause in her everyday routine and wondered, ‘What if I shared my painting on the outside of a box, rather than the inside, and what if it carried a message of peace?”
Since that pivotal 2006 encounter, the artist has sent more than 10,600 abstractly painted, pre-paid boxes, labeled with messages like, “Handle with Care: Contains Peace,” to individuals in 70 countries, as part of his Priority Boxes Art Project. Each empty box is symbolically “full” of meaning, engaging the thought of the recipient as well as the sender, plus the interpretation of all those handling it throughout its postal journey.
De Las Mercedes hopes that his painted-message boxes will stimulate new ways of communicating through art. He maintains, “We shouldn’t have to wait for world leaders to take a stand or create peace; it can begin through interpersonal dialogue.”
While many people write to the artist requesting boxes for themselves, others order them for loved ones. Requests vary widely, from a death row inmate that asked for a box for his daughter and a mom that wanted to give one to her son to a leukemia sufferer whose daily highlight was a trip to the family mailbox. The brightly painted boxes also have helped reconcile feuding friends and family members, serving as a peace offering from one to the other. It all helps to bring feelings of greater peace and understanding to the human race, one person at a time.
More than 100 schools across the United States have adopted the project, with students creating their own versions of the peace box in the classroom. School-sponsored peace boxes reach patients in hospitals and military personnel overseas and have been used in interschool box exchanges to support anti-bullying campaigns. It would be difficult to find a group that couldn’t benefit from such fresh inspiration.
To request a box, make a donation or start a local peace art project, visit fdlmStudio.com/Priorityboxes.html.
April Thompson is a freelance writer in Washington, D.C. Connect at AprilWrites.com.
The Heart is Happiest When it Beats for Others August 13, 2012
I saw this on a local church marquee and it made me stop and really think about what this means. Life gets busy and we all get wrapped up now and again with ourselves and what WE want. Yes, it’s nice to have things and to love ourselves and our family, but when you focus on this particular phrase, our real purpose on this earth is to LOVE others.
Loving others, especially if you don’t know them is sometimes difficult. But when you have faith, and the eternal love in your heart that God gave to us, love is never too difficult to share.
I mean who isn’t happy they have love or are receiving love. Maybe not love, but a kind word, a smile, a thank you, helping someone do a task they can no longer do. Giving a person a meal, coffee or a ride.
Whatever and whoever you share your love and kindness with truly is a blessing because we are all one in this universe. Our physical bodies are different, but our hearts and our love is all the same.
The day that I saw this was unique because not only did I reflect on it, but an amazing act of kindness happened at work.
Two young men were sitting in a booth, eating pizza. There was a couple sitting in the booth in front of them. Your probably saying, so what about it? Well, after the couple finished their meal, the woman came up to the counter to pay for her dinner. Before she paid, she said she wanted to pay for the young men’s meal as well. That just brought a smile to my face and my heart.
I politely asked her why and she said because she heard one of the young men say they were having financial trouble, so she wanted to help. I thought that was very nice. She continued to say not to let them know until she left.
When we told them what happened, they were so happy and shocked that they too had big smiles on their face.
So you see we are all connected, we just never know when our heart will become happy or what moment it will beat for others.
May you enjoy your day! Peace and love to all!
Tammy
