The Priestess Is In

A Simple Message of Peace and Love

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There has been a lot of noise about Iran and Israel, the threat of nuclear weapons, the threat of nuclear war. Most of us have read the news and shaken our heads, unsure how to make a difference. There is so much international posturing going on. What can we do?

Well, Ronny, a graphic designer and a father in Israel, decided to try something. He made a poster and put it on his FB page. It was a picture of him with his daughter and said: ‘To the Iranian people — to all fathers, mothers, children, sisters and brothers — we will never bomb your country. We love you.’

People started posting. Within 24 hours posters showed up on FB that said: ‘We love you back.’

I’ve been following for days. You should be following and posting. Or post Marlo Thomas’ article about it on Huffington Post. We don’t know what will happen on the international stage. It remains frightening. But we do know that citizens of these countries are opening their arms and taking one another to their hearts. In the 70s there was that old poster that said “What if they threw a war and nobody comes?” Well, the time has come. People are trying to host a war, and everyday Iranians and Israelis are not going. The time is now. We can make a difference. Bravo, loving Iranians and Israelis. Bravo you peace makers! Thank you so much, Ronny!

The Amazing Casserole That Says I Love You.

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I know it’s not just my community because I’ve seen it in so many communities. When someone gets hurt or injured, people rally ’round with casseroles. They’re never going to go out of date. You put a bunch of wonderful things in a bowl (in my culture, it’s usually embellished with cheese), you mix them up, you throw it in the oven and cart it from your house to the house of the one needing food. Or, you mix it up and cart it from your house to the house of the one needing food and they put it in their oven.

If you want to know the scent of a friend’s arms around you, it’s the scent of a casserole bubbling in the oven. At the end of a crazy, difficult day of caring for yourself or your family, nothing inclines one more to the saying of grace than the sharing of food.

Whether it’s facilitated by telephone tree or Google calendar, it is perhaps one of the key building blocks to community. In one of my wedding couples, the husband (and father) died very slowly of ALS. Their community fed them, mowed their lawns and cared for them for months and months. Some never need more than one lasagna. But whatever is given changes one’s involvement in a community forever.

I’m grateful to all the men and women who make love taste so good. Blessings on you all, wherever in the world you find yourself. (And for those in need, don’t be afraid to ask. It can be the sweetest gift you’ll give a friend who really wants to help.)

Philanthropy & Giving Circles

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There is no question that times are hard for people and for charitable organizations. It is also a hard truth that services that might be provided by our government will not be funded due to lack of resources. We can argue across political lines who should pay for what. Or we can do as much as we can of what needs to be done. I look at our schools and social services and think, they need support now.

There are groups who have lists of effective charities, and it’s always good to support organizations with a track record of making a difference. I’ve written in another blog post about Fixes a weekly column in the New York Times. One of the things they keep tabs on is which organizations and what style of philanthropy is working.

I think one way that we can make a difference is through giving circles. If we gather our friends together and make decisions about where we’d like to have impact,

  1. It allows us to participate in a much larger way in the financial success of an organization.
  2. We can involve our kids in the notion and the reality of giving. Kids can make good choices about the kind of help that’s needed.
  3. It keeps us talking about what’s important to us as individuals, families and communities.

It’s a new year. Many of us feel we don’t have enough… but I would encourage us all to look at what enough is compared to the people in our community. It’s easy to get lulled into the need for more, when we might better be coaxed into generosity.

Tarot Reading for 2012 – How People of Passion and Spirit Can Transform the World

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I’ve never tried anything like this. Wanted to do a reading that I could send out in tweets. It was a challenge to capture the meaning and also the passion of the cards. Such a strong reading. So much we can do… if we choose. and isn’t that always the question! Do we choose to be the people who make the world a better place. I’m in. Are you with me? Here’s how the reading went!

How will people of power and inspiration do at making their world better in 2012? Tarot reading w/ Thoth Deck. Modified Gypsy Cross. Watch!

OK! 14 cards: 8 major wisdom, 1 face card. 2 releases of long-term patterns of holding back. The universe is ready. Will we take the risks?

Atmosphere: XVI The Tower—Restorer, Healer, Renovator. Need to constantly eliminate that which is false. Talents w/ structures of ideas.

Question: VIII Adjustment—Mediator, Arbitrator. One who loves simplicity, clarity, fairness, balance. Research best possible change.

Covering: 10 of Cups Satiety—emotional contentment, satisfaction and peace that comes from within. Energy and passion to do the work at hand.

Crossing: 4 of Discs(Pentacles) Power—We have the tools we need if we use all our gifts: body, mind, spirit & heart. We have both the strength & will.

First Insight: A mighty wind will blow bringing in major change. We have the power & peace of mind to clarify, balance & seek solutions.

Crowning: 3 of Discs (Pentacles) Works—The lens through which we look at the world acknowledges: We’re willing to do what it takes to get the job done.

Below: XII Death—Releaser, Eliminator, Expander. We stand on new ground created by the death of constriction. We move toward transformation.

Behind: 5 of Discs Worry—We’ve finally decided to stop fretting & start doing! Now is the time. What we need will come. Release fear; embrace hope.

Before: V The Hierophant—Teacher, Counselor, Consultant. A new structure will be created, committed to community, family & cooperation. (immediate future, looking good!)

Second Insight: Very strong indication that new community will be built on the ashes of the past. Release our fear & step into possibility.

Self Reflection: 5 of Swords Defeat—At last! We’re ready to give up second guessing ourselves and move into more passionate & creative existence.

From Outside: 0 The Fool—One who walks without fear. Others see us as fearlessly going where we are needed, certain we will be sustained.

Hopes/Fears: IV The Emperor—Builder, Doer, Visionary. The choice is ours: Build a community that serves the people, or shut our hearts down.

Third Insight: We can believe what is true & valiant & courageous about ourselves & act on it. Or we can defeat ourselves. Choose life.

Future 1: Prince of Discs—Architect. We’re going to build us a beautiful, abundant world! Steel-like determination to move past obstacles.

Future 2: 8 of Swords: Interference—We can give up over analysis. Or we can stop ourselves in our tracks with our thinking & rethinking. Choose life!

Future 3: VII The Chariot—Generator, Motivator, Traveler. Gifted in setting ideas & projects into motion; bringing others along, moving fast!

4th Insight: Don’t think, go w/ the flow—Build the world that’s needed & engage the community. We are the passionate transformers. Let’s go!

Endings and Beginnings

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We’ve come to the end of one year, which brings the beginning of the next. It is always a good idea at this juncture to consider what you want to call forth in the new year and what you are willing to relinquish and leave behind in the old.

There’s a very simple ceremony I use to do this important work. It’s good if you can do it around the first, that adds to the impact of the ritual. It helps to do this before the new year, but it doesn’t matter.

Obviously, you’ll have to spend some time taking stock of what has helped and hindered you in the past. Then set some time aside for yourself and do this ritual. Just as with those tests in grade school, it helps to read all the way to the bottom before you do the ritual. Enjoy a wonderful year to come! Happy New Year!

  1. Take three small slips of paper. On each one, list one thing you are willing to leave behind in the year that is ending.
  2.  Put those slips in the pocket of your dominant hand. (if you’re right handed, your right pocket; if left, your left.
  3.  Consider for a bit what it will mean to release these three things. What have you gotten from them? What have they cost you? What will you feel like without them?
  4.  Take three more slips of paper. On each of these, list one thing you for which you are willing to take responsibility during the coming year.
  5.  Put those slips in your non-dominant pocket.
  6.  What will it mean to you to have these things in your life? What will you receive? What will be different? What will make life better?
  7. Walk around for a day or two with the slips in the pocket. Allow yourself to really imagine life without the things you’re releasing. Envision the new life brought to you by the things you’re inviting in.
  8.  A walk is always a good next step, or a labyrinth, or simply do your ritual at home. If you can, walk in silence. If you’re doing a seated ritual with others, then introduce yourself by name, claiming your place in the circle. (You move clockwise with the introduction and counterclockwise with the release.)
  9. If you’re walking, walk to your destination, take out the release slips and read them aloud (unless you’re in a silent place) in this fashion. “Today I relinquish xxxxxxxxxxxx. I’m grateful for the lessons I learned from it. From this day forward it is no longer a part of my life.” Now burn (safely, please!), crinkle or discard the three scraps. (If walking, you can stick them in another pocket until you get home.)
  10.  Then read the calling-in slips. Use this format (again, pay attention as to whether silence is requested): Today I welcome xxxxxxxxxxx. This is now the way I live my life. In living this way, I increase my health and free my heart to respond to my community’s needs. I am grateful for the chance to enrich my life.” Put the slips in your dominant hand pocket. (Live with them for a few days and then put them on a dresser or table top or bathroom mirror to remind you how you have undertaken to live this year.
  11.  If you’ve been walking, turn about and walk silently back to your beginning. If you’re in the labyrinth, leave the release slip. If you’re in a group, say, moving from right to left “My name is XXX, in leaving this circle I walk my own path.”
  12.  Go out and have a very happy New Year. Lift a glass for Peace!

Well, It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas

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This is a frightening year for a lot of people. Things that looked so steady: houses, careers, relationships have to frequently crumbled under the economic troubles. When the holidays roll around during such times, people can who might not normally spend much money during the season are feeling deprived. It makes it tough.

Stores are helping people (and, okay, themselves) by providing layaway options. Slowly, slowly people are working their way toward bringing home the bike, clothing, doll, toy that their loved one desired.

So imagine their surprise, when they went to pay things off, to find their bills marked paid in full. Angels have been going into stores and paying off people’s layaway. And when others hear about the angels’ actions, they’re doing it too. The angels feel great about themselves and what they were able to do. And the recipients are having a wonderful holiday made all the sweeter by someone’s generosity.

Is supporting shopping the way to change the world? Probably not. But will it make some people’s holidays merry and bright? You betcha. It’s a fairly simple gesture that warms hearts and unites strangers. Nice, eh?

Happy Day, folks!

 

 

Fixes: The Progress Being made

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When I started this site and this blog, my intention was to write about things that are working, things both small and large.

A convert to the notion that when people see things being changed —people making a difference — they, we, can more easily envision making a difference ourselves. We can argue about whether this government agency or that should be taking care of a problem that exists in our community. We will probably find it difficult to make headway on large systemic problems on our own… but headway can much more easily be made on small problems by one or more committed people. And what is really wonderful is that progress is being made all over the world by such inspired people.

We like being inspired. We rise to the occasion in the face of inspiration. We do good works, to use an outmoded phrase and notion. It makes us feel good about ourselves. There is some conversation in the medical literature (at least the small amount that I’ve read) that it makes us live longer. It also seems to be true that small successes breed larger ones. And we’re in need of successes both large and small in our world.

When I look at the mess that is our current global fiscal situation, I feel overwhelmed. I don’t know how to fix that. I don’t even know how to have a good conversation about that It’s not that I don’t like the conversations. To know me is to know I like to talk. I work to understand more. But in the meantime, I choose to respond by both the doing and reporting of small on-the-ground things that work.

And so every week, I read the Fixes column in the New York Times. It inspires me. It encourages me. It gives me good suggestions about where I can send my money to do good. It makes me consider what I might do in my own community to make a difference. Today’s column by David Bornstein is no exception. Read it. Feel good. And then think of a way that you might put all your lovely knowledge to work in your community. I really believe you are just a person to make a big difference in the way the world works. And I’m very happy that you’re out there doing good things. (So, write and tell me about them, I’ll post!).

Lucie and Her Many Bears

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What a lovely story. Lucie, age 10, when delivered an ultimatum by her mom  to  to throw out, sell or donate her no-longer-used toys, decided to give her toys to her brother’s pre-school. The principal, moved by her gift, gave her a certificate at a “build-a-bear workshop,” along with a tag that said “For Good Use.”

For some reason, upon reflection, Lucie decided that meant she should donate her bear to someone who needed it. She chose the Ronald McDonald House near her. But she decided not to give just one bear, but has embarked on a campaign of building many bears for Kids or siblings of Kids with serious illnesses. She’s had fund raisers, accepts donations and puts her allowance and Christmas presents to work.

One kid, and a huge difference in people’s lives — the children who receive the bears, their grateful parents and the children and adults who are moved (perhaps even to action!) by Lucie’s generosity. You know, my friends, it’s not the grand gestures that build a world of Peace. It’s the little ones. This child and her furry friends make that clear. Merci, Lucie! (Read more about her here.)

Meet Spirited Woman: Nancy Mills!

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1. Please introduce yourself:

Hi everyone. I am Nancy Mills, founder of www.TheSpiritedWoman.com – a global woman’s empowerment community. Recently, I created the Spirited Woman 2012 Directory: Resources for An Inspired Life! because a hawk flew on my balcony in Playa Vista, California and I was given a message. Okay, there is more to the story than that – but the hawk had a huge influence. I’ve always been known for creating inspirational projects and working with highly creative people. This project though has taken myself and thousands of women worldwide to a whole new level. Very exciting. Some say, I am a leading woman’s visionary, but I would say I am a dreamer, who never quits once she begins her dream. I am fueled by my passion. That is my air and my breath. And it’s free!

2. Do you have a tagline for your life?

Yes, I have a few. The first: I truly, deeply believe EVERY WOMAN IS A VISIONARY, changing the world one Spirited Woman step at a time. That is why I do the work that I do. And for my personal tagline: Live through your passion, no matter how many obstacles along the way. When I look back at those obstacles, they have been gifted opportunities of growth. So I say, GO FOR IT!

3. What are you doing to make the world safer, saner, healthier? And are you having fun while you’re doing it?

The mission of Spirited Woman is women inspiring women in a safe, supportive, fun, creative, SHARING space. I would like to think that I have achieved that mission through the community I have created. Am I having fun? Yes and no to be honest. I am having fun, but I must stop myself from worrying. Someone has to lead the ship – if you catch my drift – and in my case – since Spirited Woman has grown so much – I work a lot. And sometimes I am very stressed. But, I would say when others are around me when I’m relaxed both they and I are having fun. Because my basic personality is spirited.

4. Tell me one great (short) story that you’ve observed where someone (maybe you) stepped up and made a difference. What did that inspire you to do?

My natural inclination is to be a cheerleader for others. As I’ve mentioned in many interviews, I did not have an easy childhood. I never felt that I was on the receiving end of support. In fact, quite the opposite. So I feel I step up daily, because I love to let others know encouraging things. I will tell someone they are brilliant, because I believe they are. Someone else how talented they are. Another, what a wonderful friend they are. I give to others what I never got, and in a highly unusual way, the suffering I endured, serves to help others. So, yes I inspire others to believe in themselves. I am very happy about that.

5. What else do I need to know about either you or your thoughts or…

Transformation on a deep level – whether personal, emotional, or in business – is a journey of limitless bounties. Be unstoppable in your growth and appreciate all the friends and support you receive along the way. No one can go it alone. It does take a village – perhaps a sacred one at that.

6. Under which category can people find you in the directory?

Spirited what else?

7. You say you want to see more of Nancy? Well, here you are!