OLW – friends update

March 4, 2015 by Leave a Comment

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One of my goals with my OLW which is Connect is connecting more regularly with friends. So I am a big believer in what energy you put out there, it will come back. And I really believe that what I am about tell you is because I put the energy out to connect to friends.

Two weeks ago, I was working on my blog and I have a program that automatically scans comments to determine if they are spam. If so, they put them in a separate area. It also allows me to approve comments. So I was going through a list of comments that needed to be approved and came across one that I wasn’t sure about. The first name rang a bell but when I clicked through they used a graphic rather than a photo as their avatar (pardon if too technical). So I don’t take chances, I deleted it.  A few days later, I received a comment with details of my childhood that just blew me away.

My father was in the service and I lived on the base for a short time before he retired. Where I grew up, I went to school with kids from the base and made great friends. The only problem is they usually have to leave at some point. This friend of mine was lucky, her date put it off somehow longer than most but right as were into high school she told me they had to move. I was sad. We tried to keep in touch and then as most people we lost touch. She contacted my mom when I was in college and then we talked again then we lost touch.

When a memory of her would occur, I would get online and start searching. I knew a few things to help but to no avail. Well, she found me…she found me. I believe in this energy and I know in my heart, that it was meant to happen because I put that energy out and for whatever reason she found my blog.

We have started a slow catch up but I intend on not letting her slip away again.

So that is my update for now thanks for allowing me to share this with you.

Belinda

Filed Under: One Little Word, Projects Tagged With: , , ,

One Little Word (OLW) : Connecting to all Beings

January 21, 2015 by 2 Comments

display images to learn more about A Path Appears on PBS

So I’ve mentioned the word that I chose for 2015 was connect. One of the things that I want to bring into my life more fully this year is to connect with my fellow beings here and abroad.

I’ve always felt I have had a blessed life. I have a loving family, good health and a home. But sadness fills me when I get a glimpse of the struggle of many in poverty. I get angry and go through a gamut of emotions and then I don’t act. This year, I want to take the step and take action.

The logical side of me wants to approach this connection first through in depth education so that I can act wisely. I’ve gathered some books on different aspects of need and struggle over time. Now I must push myself further to learn and then act. So my plan is to begin reading them one by one to educate myself so that I can connect fully as one with all beings through service and advocacy. For I believe connecting includes extending myself and helping not just observing. And when I say that it doesn’t mean that I know that we are all beings and that some of us suffer daily. It means that I feel what they feel through true compassion and want for them with all my heart, the things I want for me which is love, peace, shelter, food, respect and opportunity.

One of the books that I’m reading has an amazing husband-and-wife team (Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn) and they have a couple of books published. I only have one of them right now which is called, “Half the Sky” but I just recently found out that they have a three-part movie that’s coming out on PBS on January 26, Feb 2nd and Feb 9th. The name of it is A Path Appears and it is based on the book by Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn. Click here to watch the trailer.

I ask of you my friend to take a few minutes to watch the trailer with a box of tissue and decide if you want to watch that show on the 26 because I understand that feeling of hopelessness that there so much need and struggle and wonder where to begin. Asking how little old me can make a difference. But, the inaction is the problem. Actions big or small makes a difference. Collectively we all can make a difference. No more putting it off. So I begin this journey of connection this year filled with hope and optimism that my actions make a difference. Will you join me?

Belinda

Filed Under: One Little Word, Projects Tagged With: , , , ,

One Little Word 2015

January 16, 2015 by 2 Comments

Good morning! I hope you all are well this sunny morning. It’s sunny here with a little drop of snow on the ground.

I have been participating in the One Little Word class with Ali Edwards for several years now. Each year, I have chosen a word fairly easy. Last year, I chose Listen. I have learned that you never are really finished with the word at the end of the year, you just incorporate it with you life and move to the next. So although I still feel Listen is a great word and there is always more to be done, I think I need to move to a new word for 2015.

This year, I began seeking my word in November.  I went through many words but none seemed to resonate. Then the pressure built when Ali announced her word, ‘give’. I liked it because the past few months I had been moving towards establishing more charitable work and giving in my life.  But again, something didn’t quite connect. Then I looked at the word ‘engage’ and while exploring the definition and synonyms, I  saw the word ‘connect‘ and everything fell into place and my word for 2015 was selected.

I am excited by the possibility of how the word  Connect might change my life.

When I think of connect I think of:

Connecting to family – Over the years, I have allowed too much distance with my family and extended family. Technology which is wonderful has taken over my family and I hope to find more ways to connect with Leao and the boys without technology. I would also like to find ways to connect with extended family that don’t live so close on a regular basis.

Connect to friends – I want to find more meaningful opportunities to connect with new and old friends and not just texting!

Find the connection to all beings – I want to use my spiritual beliefs and my continued research on poverty and humanities other struggles, to connect to those in need through compassion, understanding and giving.

Connect to my fitness – Continue on my path to well being through regular exercise and healthy eating.

Connect to my customers – I want to find ways to connect with more customers via my Etsy shop and offline sales opportunities.

So for the class each month Ali provides some things to do (sometimes crafty sometimes journaling) to help us keep our words present in our lives. So I will share some of the these activities as I work through them.  This will be a big help because each year I start fairly well then somehow life and priorities shift and I let go of my promise. This year, I hope to push myself through the entire experience.  Because I do believe in the process I know that pushing through with my word will create new possibilities in my life. So now you can have a front seat while I work through this process.

What’s your word for 2015?

Belinda

Filed Under: One Little Word, Projects Tagged With: , , , ,
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