YES for Women!

Dear Friends,
I want to take a moment to Honor ALL Women and ALL Enlightened Men.   As we saw this past weekend, women and men are rising up  together to say:
YES to Women Rights
YES to Equality
YES to Equal Pay for Equal Work
YES to  Respect, Dignity and Integrity
YES to Human Rights on all levels for all people.
YES to Women having the Right to make decisions about herself, her body and her life.
YES to Women for all that they are and all that they do!
YES for Women’s Incredible Intelligence, Wisdom, Compassion and Love
YES for Women of all races, cultures, faiths, and gender choices
YES for Women finally having leadership roles they are innately qualified to do and be.
YES for Women standing in their Power!
We saw a lot of women fed up with abuse,  put downs and seen as inferior this past weekend as they marched all over the world.  It was not only a political statement, it was a Human  Consciousness Statement.   No more feeling inferior, not enough, vulnerable.  We all are created in the image and likeness of God. When you put a woman down, you put God down.
Women’s time has come and we are loved and embraced by our enlightened men who also want to see equality and respect for women happen all over the world.
My heart, mind and spirit is with the women of the world!
Everyone do what you can to promote human kindness, human dignity, human encouragement and put a STOP to any abuse of any kind, whether it be a joke, a passing remark or an  incident on the street or in a store.  Steve and I took a Bystanders training class to learn how to de-escalate any volatile situation.  I would encourage you to call the nearest CAIR organization and find out when and where the next training will be. It is very easy and a one class commitment.
 
Let us bring up our beautiful daughters and granddaughters with the idea they are brilliant, talented, capable and have the right to choose who they wish to be.  Let us bring up our sons and grandsons with the idea they are brilliant, talented, capable and have the right to choose who they wish to be AND to know both men and women are equally deserving  in all aspects of life.  No one is better than…. Each one has his and her own unique talents, skills and abilities and need to express them the best they know how.  TEACH RESPECT, TEACH EQUALITY!
 
Today and EVERY day let us STAND TOGETHER.  As Ghandi said, “Let us BE the change we wish to see in the world!”
Powerful Thoughts by Powerful Women
“You are the one that possesses the keys to your being. You carry the passport to your own happiness.”
– Diane von Furstenberg
“I was smart enough to go through any door that opened.”
– Joan Rivers
“Cautious, careful people, always casting about to preserve their reputations can never effect a reform.”
– Susan B. Anthony
“When the whole world is silent, even one voice becomes powerful.”
– Malala Yousafzai
“Make the most of yourself by fanning the tiny, inner sparks of possibility into flames of achievement.”
– Golda Meir
“Knowing what must be done does away with fear.”
– Rosa Parks
“I hope the fathers and mothers of little girls will look at them and say ‘yes, women can.’ – Dilma Rousseff
“You can’t give up! If you give up, you’re like everybody else.”
– Chris Evert
“No matter how difficult and painful it may be, nothing sounds as good to the soul as the  truth.”
– Martha Beck
“Step out of the history that is holding you back. Step into the new story you are willing to create.”
– Oprah Winfrey
“What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”
– Jane Goodall
“I firmly believe you never should spend your time being the former anything.”
– Condoleezza Rice

Serve God Serve Others Serve Self

Dear Friends,
I love the quote by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King. WE can ALL Serve in some way.
Being in Service, to me, means being aware of someone else’s needs and being willing to support and help in some way. This could be with a co-worker, a friend, a family member and/or a favorite charity, or a cause that is dear to you.
We are all here on earth to learn, not only how to be in service to God, and others, but also to be in service to ourselves We do this by loving, caring and being compassionate with ourselves when we make a mistake, or misspeak. We have heard the phrase, “Peace Begins With Me.” Service begins with ourselves and perhaps that can be a new years resolution and/or intention. We must be kind to ourselves, respect ourselves and find the joy for ourselves and follow it. When we are kind and joyful, we have the heart and mind to help others be kind to themselves and find their joy. This would cause a ripple affect spreading out to everyone, and as the Law of Cause and Effect applies, would come back to us multiplied! We would be living in a sea of kindness, compassion, caring , respect and love for each other, ourselves and God.
Be in Service and let it begin with You!

NAIN 2018
North American Interfaith Network Conference
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
“Pilgrimage: Journeys of Discovery”
Early Bird Registration $300 before March 31
Young Adult Registration ages 18-35 $200
Regular Registration $400 after April 1

 

 

Align Values with Intentions

Dear Friends,

JANUARY seems to be the month for setting intentions for the coming year.
How often have you set an intention or a goal to have it disintegrate within a day, month or sometime during the year?
Are you tired of “trying to lose weight,” exercise more, work harder, etc……?
I will raise my hand for all of those.
This year I plan to follow a cherished value or virtue and decide when I am making a choice or decision, to ask the question, “Is this in alignment with my most cherished virtue/value? I know I can follow that intention. It will also make my decision easier.
What do you value? What is a cherished virtue? The Virtues Project offers a list you can find on the internet.
When faced with a decision or choice, what virtue/value will lead you through the process to a conclusion? Here are a few to think about. Make your intention into an affirmation. For example:
Caring – I am caring and respectful.
Commitment – I am committed to this project and will see it through.
Compassion – I am compassionate with others who may be hurting and/or saying
unkind words to me.
Confidence – I am confident, even in my fearfulness.
Creativity – I am creative. I always can see another way.
Flexibility – I am flexible and give others a chance to soar with their talents.
Forgiveness – I am forgiving in the midst of hurt and turmoil.
Honesty – I am honest with myself . I am honest with others without being
hurtful.
Careful – I am careful with my words /actions knowing I have the power to harm
or help.
Integrity – I am in integrity with all aspects of my life, even behind closed doors.
Kindness – I am kind to people. I associate with those who are also kind.
Orderliness – I am orderly in mind, at home, at work, in my car and
wherever I go.
Patience – I am patient with those who do not understand or disagree with me

What are your words/values/virtues to live by? How will you use them to guide you in the decision making process this coming year?