Eve "Social Media" Butterflies

Reading this article, There is no ‘free’ lemonade today sparked a little fuse in me. Sorry, Terry, I just don’t agree here. Our kids having a giving spirit will not be, nor IS the cause of the economic downfall. The dog-eat-dog mentality is detrimental to the prosperity of our society. We’ve had too many generations of the same dying legislation; our governmental positions have been occupied by dinosaur minds for too long. Their poor insight into the development of our future has lead us to this crippling point. Wanting to take care of each other is NOT the issue. The everyday citizen wasn’t the one getting the bailouts and the onus is not to be placed on our children’s giving mentality. I believe it will be our youth and their forward thinking that will lead the front lines and pull us out. All the while, caring for the fellow man.

This being human is a guest house Every morning a new arrival. A joy, a depression, a meanness, some momentary awareness comes as an unexpected visitor. Welcome and entertain them all! Even if they are a crowd of sorrows, who violently sweep your house empty of its furniture, still treat each guest honorably. He may be clearing you out for some new delight. The dark thought, the shame, the malice, meet them at the door laughing, and invite them in. Be grateful for whoever comes, because each has been sent as a guide from beyond. -Rumi

Thanks Anna Breiland http://annabreiland.tumblr.com/

So India truly was a mixed bag of emotions and encounters, some areas were the hardest I’ve experienced as a woman traveling alone and some were closely touching the surface of perfection. I still feel I left too much unseen and experienced but such is life. Some day, with my learnings to keep me firmly planted in realism as a tourist and female in the vast land that is India, I will return. Here’s a glimpse of what I saw in my travels. Hope you enjoy!

India

Enjoyed a beautiful day out on the sea.

I’m making a foot movement…

Feet over the ocean of Oahu!

Next stop India!

The greatest achievement is selflessness.

The greatest worth is self-mastery.

The greatest quality is seeking to serve others.

The greatest precept is continual awareness.

The greatest medicine is the emptiness of everything.

The greatest action is not conforming with the worlds ways.

The greatest magic is transmuting the passions.

The greatest generosity is non-attachment.

The greatest goodness is a peaceful mind.

The greatest patience is humility.

The greatest effort is not concerned with results.

The greatest meditation is a mind that lets go.

The greatest wisdom is seeing through appearances.

Atisha (11th century Tibetan Buddhist master)

Kavita Ramdas tells the stories of three inspiration women around the world who embrace the beauty of being a woman, in the fight for equality but are also investing in tradition. A devout Muslim in Afghanistan, a group of harmonizing lesbians in Croatia and a taboo breaker in Liberia. This may be my favorite TED Talk yet. I look forward to a world where man and woman share the same human rights.

“Why is it that women are, on the one hand, viciously oppressed by cultural practices, and yet, at the same time, are the preservers of cultures in most societies?” Kavita Ramdas

As I am reviewing my video footage from my recent Malawi trip, I am sadly reminded of the alarming state of poverty that children are living under there. Hunger forces people into impossible choices just to survive – children are taken out of school, women are forced into high-risk sexual behavior, agriculture is constrained by economic isolation, high transport costs, growing environmental degradation and depleted soils. It’s heartbreaking for me to watch as I interview children and ask them what they need, what they want and if someone was willing to help them by sending packages, what is it they would like to receive. Incredulity, at overwhelming numbers, about 98% of the children asked for food. Not toys, not clothing, the most basic survival need, food. Can you imagine? If your child had to actually think about wonder when they would able to have a meal? Children are going to school on empty stomachs, carrying empty cups that will be filled with what may be their only meal of the day. For the over 40% of children unable to afford school, they are wondering when they will have a next meal. Children are literally dying from hunger. I write this because I’ve seen how far just a little funding can go to help these children. This trip changed how I see purchases I make. Do I really need another candle, overpriced handbag or drop a Benjamin on one meal? Knowing that $140 can feed 200 orphans 3 meals a week? Small alterations I make here, can help a child there. If we all micro-altered, our lives, we could wipe out hunger. Have you thought of ways your could help? Let me know if you’d like to make a difference. I know of many ways that you can help.

HUG O’ WAR

I will not play at tug o’war.
I’d rather play at hug o’war,
Where everyone hugs
Instead of tugs,
Where everyone giggles… See More
And rolls on the rug,
Where everyone kisses,
And everyone grins,
And everyone cuddles,
And everyone wins.

…so simple, so sweet

IF YOU DON’T HAVE

If you don’t have enough madness in you,
Go and rehabilitate yourself.

If you’ve lost a hundred times the chest game of life,
Be prepared to lose one more.

If you’re holding the wounded string of a harp on this stage,
Play once more and resonate no more.

If you’re that exhausted bird fighting a falcon for too long,
make a comeback and be strong.

DON’T BE BITTER MY FRIEND

don’t be bitter my friend
you’ll regret it soon
hold your togetherness
or surely you’ll shatter

don’t walk away gloomy
from this garden
you’ll end up like an owl
dwelling in old ruins

face the war
be a warrior like a lion
or you’ll end up like a pet
tucked away in a stable

once you conquer
your selfish self
all your darkness
will change to light

The Bridge of Sighs

One more Unfortunate,
Weary of breath,
Rashly importunate,
Gone to her death!

Take her up tenderly,
Lift her with care;
Fashion’d so slenderly
Young, and so fair!

Look at her garments
Clinging like cerements;
Whilst the wave constantly
Drips from her clothing;
Take her up instantly,
Loving, not loathing.

Touch her not scornfully;
Think of her mournfully,
Gently and humanly;
Not of the stains of her,
All that remains of her
Now is pure womanly.

Make no deep scrutiny
Into her mutiny
Rash and undutiful:
Past all dishonour,
Death has left on her
Only the beautiful.

Still, for all slips of hers,
One of Eve’s family—
Wipe those poor lips of hers
Oozing so clammily.

Loop up her tresses
Escaped from the comb,
Her fair auburn tresses;
Whilst wonderment guesses
Where was her home?

Who was her father?
Who was her mother?
Had she a sister?
Had she a brother?
Or was there a dearer one
Still, and a nearer one
Yet, than all other?

Alas! for the rarity
Of Christian charity
Under the sun!
O, it was pitiful!
Near a whole city full,
Home she had none.

Sisterly, brotherly,
Fatherly, motherly
Feelings had changed:
Love, by harsh evidence,
Thrown from its eminence;
Even God’s providence
Seeming estranged.

Where the lamps quiver
So far in the river,
With many a light
From window and casement,
From garret to basement,
She stood, with amazement,
Houseless by night.

The bleak wind of March
Made her tremble and shiver;
But not the dark arch,
Or the black flowing river:
Mad from life’s history,
Glad to death’s mystery,
Swift to be hurl’d—
Anywhere, anywhere
Out of the world!

In she plunged boldly—
No matter how coldly
The rough river ran—
Over the brink of it,
Picture it—think of it,
Dissolute Man!
Lave in it, drink of it,
Then, if you can!

Take her up tenderly,
Lift her with care;
Fashion’d so slenderly,
Young, and so fair!

Ere her limbs frigidly
Stiffen too rigidly,
Decently, kindly,
Smooth and compose them;
And her eyes, close them,
Staring so blindly!

Dreadfully staring
Thro’ muddy impurity,
As when with the daring
Last look of despairing
Fix’d on futurity.

Perishing gloomily,
Spurr’d by contumely,
Cold inhumanity,
Burning insanity,
Into her rest.—
Cross her hands humbly
As if praying dumbly,
Over her breast!

Owning her weakness,
Her evil behaviour,
And leaving, with meekness,
Her sins to her Saviour!

by Thomas Hood