Have a Heart: Give a Little Love and Water

Image courtesy of VDay http://www.vday.org/

Valentine’s Day had Twitter abuzz with loving sentiments and wishes for a better world. Valentine’s Day is also the VDay – the One Billion Rising Campaign to end violence against women and girls. The global One Billion Rising movement is based on the estimate from the UN that one in three women will be beaten or raped during their lifetime, meaning one billion worldwide. Powerful images of women (and men) in Canada and from far-away – Afghanistan, India, UK, Philippines, Europe, Australia – marching and dancing in solidarity to demand an end to this violence inspired me to “give a little” to the effort. I am a woman with three daughters and I can’t fathom the thought of any of them – or anyone for that matter - being subjected to harm. It must be globally unacceptable.

In my recently acquired health regiment [lifestyle change] I am been slugging back copious amounts of water, supposedly clean water that comes to me effortlessly by simply turning on a tap.  Last week (I’m a little behind in my reporting) I was inspired to support the water.org initiative that works with local partners to find solutions to provide the one billion on the planet who do not have such ready access to clean water – as well as sanitation to the three billion who are without toilets! Next time you are sitting on the throne with toilet paper at your fingertips, try to imagine what life would be like if there wasn't a toilet to be found …

 

Infographic courtesy of water.org

HELP!
Have ideas to help me in my weekly quest? Please share!

Read about my weekly Give a Little challenge and other posts. I have to give ongoing props to Wendy Smith for her inspiring book, Give a Little. Consider giving it a read.

Good Intentions

Yesterday I posted my intentions: share, love, express, give.

Today I came home to find a $100 cheque in the mail... I'd won a small prize in the home lottery. More luck and abundance; it just keeps coming - the toonie I found in my coat pocket this morning, the 20% discount coupon a complete stranger handed me in the busy store lineup, and then today's mail.

Now I just have to figure out how to share it.

For that, I am truly grateful.

Ahead of the Curve

Goal: To avoid any form of negativity during the holiday season, including usage of terms such as "stressed out" and "have to get", and other general complaining; to fully embrace the joys of the season, with the lions share involving spending time with loved ones.

My mission - should I choose to accept it: Start Christmas shopping early and wrap it all up (with a big shiny bow) by Dec 9th so I can shift my focus from purchasing, to visiting and baking - the  things that make the festive season really special.

Status: 50 shades of awesomeness! I am more than 75% completed and am on target to complete the mission successfully. All without  [hardly] swearing at all...

Intentions: share, love, express, give

I feel lucky! Let me correct that statement... I AM lucky. I am experiencing a heavy dose of the boomerang effect. The more I try to give away, the more good fortune randomly comes back to me. It is not mine to question - but my heart is full to overflowing with gratitude and I go off to sleep even more inspired to toss the boomerang even more.  But for now, I am ahead of the curve/

thank you...

The Gift

They were waiting for me when I got home from work yesterday - propped  precariously against the front door. A birthday gift for Kidlet - or so I thought. The note taped to the plastic sleeve was addressed to me so I carefully peeled back the tape, released the bouquet from its wrapper, and opened the card. It confirmed that the flowers weren't for Kidlet -- they were from Kidlet.

She gets it. So on the twentieth birthday of my youngest daughter, I received a precious gift- and not just one that is fragrant and flower-full. She is learning the value of giving and gratitude. And for that I am very grateful.

Give a Little to Help Those Affected by HIV/AIDS

Image courtesy of www.orphanbracelet.org

My last few Give a Little donations have been to organizations dedicated to turning the tide of HIV/AIDS in Africa and supporting the victims left in the wake of this horrific pandemic.

Orphan Bracelet Campaign sales help mothers and children in South Africa whose lives have been severely impacted by HIV/AIDS. The bracelet making program provides HIV/AIDS affected women with a living wage and the skills to become self-sustaining pillars of their communities. This is my favourite kind of giving -- to support causes that help people lift themselves up, and live the kind of life they deserve. And it is as simple as buying a $15 bracelet. 


In keeping with the theme of grassroots movements, I donated to another important effort to help fight AIDS. When I read about 54 year old Nola Reynolds'  DARE for the Stephen Lewis Foundation to support grassroots efforts to turn the tide of HIV/AIDS, I had to give a little support.  She is shaking off fear and misgivings and donning her courage suit to bike from Cairo to Capetown over the next four months to raise awareness of and funds for the AIDS pandemic. Stephen Lewis is one of my heroes so naturally anyone throwing their efforts behind his quest to improved the lives of millions of African women and children, deserves my support. I am going to follow Nola's progress on her blog.


I just gave a little, but as Wendy Smith writes in her inspiring book, Give a Little, if many give a little to many, collectively it will make a big difference to many organizations. And by little, I mean every dollar counts. T'is the giving season.


Read about my weekly Give a Little Challenge and other posts. 

Give a Little Light, Hope and Opportunity

We have electricity in our cosy little cottage retreat at the lake, but the tiny bunkie out back where my daughter stays, does not! Light is a luxury restricted to the handheld flashlight she carries to see the pathway and then hangs on a hook. And then the batteries burn out.

As mentioned in a previous post, I recently donated to onemillionlights.org and also ordered one of the solar lanterns to try out for myself. Since the first day it arrived in its simple brown wrapping, it has been wonderful. The lantern gives off a soft white light that illuminates an entire room and provides a renewable source of light. It brought me back to when we were in Kenya navigating the pathways in the absolute pitch black dark of night with our headlamps. Made me think about the people who don't have flashlights or headlamps.

Through Twitter I stumbled across a compelling social enterprise called Solar Sister. The slogan - light, hope, opportunity – is also the mission statement. This organization tries to improve the lives of women by providing access to solar energy in a way that reaches the people with the most need, the women and girls living in remote rural villages.

Solar Sister is a woman-to-woman direct-sales distribution system (remember the Avon lady?) for solar lanterns that leverages women’s family, friends and community networks to bring the solar technology right to the women’s doorstep.

So this week my "give a little" donation goes to Solar Sister. The best part of this initiative is that it empowers women with economic opportunity and helps lift them out of poverty - and it is a wonderful example of women helping women; sisters helping sisters.

Read about my Thursday's Give a Little Challenge and other posts. I have to give ongoing props to Wendy Smith for her inspiring book, Give a Little. Consider giving it a read.

Give a Little

It's been five weeks now, this weekly giving. And when I started out to give $5 a week I was a little concerned that it was going to be tricky to keep the commitment. Funny thing is, the $5 turned into $10 and I haven't felt anything but satisfaction. In fact, it's been completely painless.

This week I am donating to the foundation of one of my heroes -- Stephen Lewis. This former UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa has dedicated his life to fighting for victims of HIV and AIDS in Africa. I booked him as a speaker a few years back and he had his buttoned down, conservative, business audience in tears and jumping to their feet with his eloquent delivery and impassioned plea to help in the fight of the AIDS Pandemic.

His outrage at the world's (and the UN's) lack of response to the pandemic has recently expanded to outrage against rape as a weapon of war. He is using his voice to cry out - to demand that we stop the systemic use of rape and violence against girls and women across the globe.

He is a living example of someone who is committed to improving the human condition and that, combined with the inspiration he instills makes him a hero in my book.


The Stephen Lewis Foundation works to ease the suffering associated with HIV/Aids in Africa by funding grassroots projects. The foundation supports community-based organizations working to turn the tide of HIV/AIDS in Africa, providing care to women who are ill and struggling to survive; assisting orphans and other AIDS affected children; reaching heroic grandmothers who almost single-handedly care for their orphan grandchildren; and sustaining associations of people living with HIV and AIDS.

My Give a Little Challenge 

I emerge from my haze of of procrastination, clear, inspired, and ready to act. Give a Little has inspired me to do just that ... give a little, every week. Every Thursday I will seek out an organization or cause that strives to make a lasting impact or sustainable change and donate $10.00. I will be counting on my blogger community for suggestions! You can read about the other projects that have inspired me to give a little.

Other Give a Little posts.

I have to give ongoing props to Wendy Smith for her inspiring book, Give a Little. Give it a read.

Give a Little

Courtesy of CAI

It's Thursday and that means it's time to give a little to a cause that will help make a difference by promoting sustainability. Last year I sat with a few hundred other people at the city’s central library and was completely captivated by a giant of a gentle soul named Greg Mortenson. He is best known as the author of Three Cups of Tea. I was so smitten that I blogged about it, of course. With a backdrop of blazing images of smiling Afghan children and wizened elders, Greg lured us into his world to cultivate peace by helping to bring education and self sustainability to remote regions of Pakistan, Afghanistan, Mongolia and Kyrgyzstan. He snagged us hook, line and sinker.

This week I will donate to Central Asia Institute (CAI). As co-founder of CAI, Greg Mortenson has learned that sustainable and successful development can only occur when projects are entirely initiated, implemented and managed by local communities. I like that CAI works to empower the local people through their own initiative, and supports their will. CAI has established over 170 schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan, providing education to over 68,000 students, with an emphasis on girls’ education. It hasn't been easy but Greg refuses to be defeated by the impossible terrain and geographical and cultural challenges. He has dedicated his life to making education accessible, bringing possibilities to people who would otherwise not have any.

$20 educates an Afghan student for a year; I usually give these donations as gifts. Today I am pledging $10 ... just a little. I know the return on investment will be anything but.

BONUS: This week my friend over at WhippetSnippets gave me the kind of birthday present that keeps on giving. She gave me a $20 gift card to Global Giving. I donated to Heal Africa to help survivors of rape and gender violence in the Congo.

My Give a Little Challenge 
I emerge from my haze of of procrastination, clear, inspired, and ready to act. Give a Little has inspired me to do just that ... give a little, every week. Every Thursday I will seek out an organization or cause that strives to make a lasting impact or sustainable change and donate $5.00. I will be counting on my blogger community for suggestions! You can read about the other projects that have inspired me to give a little.


Other Give a Little posts.

I have to give ongoing props to Wendy Smith for her inspiring book, Give a Little. Give it a read.

Give a Little

Photo: www.davidsuzuki.org

It's Thursday and that means it's time to give a little to a cause that will help make a difference by promoting sustainability. My pledge to “give a little” every week has me paying close attention to the news, reading those solicitation emails from charitable organizations and seeking out worthy causes.

This week I donated $10 (totally forgot about the $5 weekly amount) to the David Suzuki Foundation, an environmental organization based in Vancouver, British Columbia. It was only fitting, not only because David Suzuki is one of our greatest Canadians, or that he is a hero of mine, but because today is his 75th birthday. What better way to celebrate.

His foundation works to conserve our environment and act as a catalyst for social change. He champions a broad a noble array of causes: to protect our climate and make sure that Canada is doing its fair share to avoid dangerous climate change; protect nature and the diversity and health of Canada's lakes and seas, and terrestrial creatures and ecosystems, and build community by showing Canadians how to live healthier, more fulfilled and just lives by using smart energy and efficient transportation, and being mindful of the products, food and water we use.

So this week, it's Mother Earth's turn. It all starts with our beloved planet and when she is happy - we all have a fighting chance for a good life. Right now she needs all the help she can get, and the David Suzuki Foundation is dedicated to her care and long term health and sustainability.

Happy Birthday David Suzuki. You make me want to try harder, do more and stand up for what we know to be right and true. Thank you for caring about Mother Earth and all of humankind and trying to show us the path to long term sustainability, in a world that all life can thrive.

I have to give ongoing props to Wendy Smith for her inspiring book, Give a Little. Give it a read.

Good Place to Be

If I was into astrology, I would probably say that the stars are aligning and the universe is shifting, with bounty, clarity and opportunity sliding my way. There are interesting, exciting times. I have nurtured this egg of possibility and purpose for years now, self educating along the way, with expectation of who knows what building.

I am immersed in "inspiration" - learning about seemingly endless numbers of creative projects being undertaken by incredible human beings. People are taking matters into their own hands, using their skills and talents to solve problems in their communities and around the globe. Change makers.

I love this feeling, this place I find myself in. The more I learn, the more my optimism is fueled. I am finding my voice and have set sail -- destination to be determined. But the ship has left the dock ... an hour ahead!

Happy Daylight Saving Time. Spring can't be far behind.

Give a Little

A while back I read a book that stamped a lasting imprint on my heart. Give a Little by Wendy Smith describes how the cumulative power of small donations made by everyday citizens can change the world. Like most, I get asked pretty much every day to donate, support, sponsor, give ... and most times if I felt that I don't have alot  to contribute, I have said no. The book argues that some is better than none, and that when you pool the pennies, it can add up and really make a difference.

So after months, I emerge from my haze of of procrastination, clear, inspired, and ready to act.  Give a Little has inspired me to do just that ... give a little, every week. Every Thursday I will seek out an organization or cause that strives to make a lasting impact or sustainable change and donate $5.00. I will be counting on my blogger community for suggestions!

To kick off my own personal give a little, I donated to wefeedback, This website is an initiative of the World Food Programme and provides a tool that  lets you enter the value of your favourite foods to calculate how many hungry kids could be fed with that donation. The $9.95 value of the butter chicken I ate last night can feed 39 children! With the scent of curry still faint on my skin, it wasn't hard to make that donation. Actually, it was kind of fun. I think I am going to like this new venture, and at the very least, I'm going to get an education.

It's easier to give it than live it.

Random Encounters With the Spirit of Christmas

He appeared out of nowhere, suddenly there, yanking me out my daydream.

“Hey lady. I’m hungry.” His voice was hoarse and slurry and he struggled to pronounce his r’s. “Do you have some change for my brother and me? We haven’t eaten in two days”.

Caught off guard, my mind whirled into overdrive trying to process …

“No one will give us any money.” He stood in front of me, dressed in his well loved ski jacket and toque, shifting from foot to foot, obviously anxious as well as cold.

“Why do you think that is?” I mumbled and fumbled with my scarf trying to buy myself some time as I decided what I was going to do.

“Cause it’s Christmas lady! No one wants to part with their money.”

Ironic.

“I will give you all the change I have,” I said as I opened my wallet. I can already hear the collective gasps of protest from the side that says this only perpetuates the problem. I had $4.57 in coins which I immediately handed over to him. He counted it out and then looked up at me and smiled. “Thank you Mam. Merry Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas to you too.”

Would he buy food or drink the money? Frankly I didn’t care. I don’t want to be blind or pretend I don’t see them on the sidewalk. Them - the homeless, the disenfranchised, the ones who talk to themselves as they push their carts along the road; the ones who wander aimlessly, detached and alone; the ones from which we avert our gazes. I don’t walk to step around or over them. I want to see everyone. And darn it all, if I have a pocketful of change to share, I am going to share it. And I am going to start sharing more than that … I think he may have given me something far greater than the change in my pocket. This  quote from Mother Teresa is my inspiration.

Let us not be satisfied with just giving money.
Money is not enough, money can be got,
but they need your hearts to love them.
So, spread your love everywhere you go.

Lifting of the Veil

Maybe it's because I am the mother of three girls, or that I have sisters; or that I am a "girl" myself. Maybe it's my deepened love for humanity, our global family. Whatever the reason, I had a heck of a time getting through the introduction of "Half the Sky" by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn. A knot in my stomach tightened with every statistic, words evaporated under a watery blur with each horrific example cited, and I am shakened to my very core.

I bought the book ages ago and true to my habit I immediately thumbed through the pages, devouring random snippets from the beginning, middle and last few pages. But my full attention to this read was on hold until I could finish the other three books I had in progress.  another habit of mine

Women hold up half the sky.     Chinese Proverb

Like a delectable dessert, Half the Sky sat in waiting for a time in which I could completely digest each juicy morsel. That time finally arrived. The statistics are astounding, unfathomable. The book is a testament to the global "gender-cide" against women in developing countries and the marginalization of women on our own continent and society: sex trafficking, rape as a weapon of war, abortion of female fetuses, violence, oppression, slavery and discrimination.

My hero Stephen Lewis has been bellowing this message for years now, heart outstretched, passion erupting from every podium, microphone and interview he has addressed. He has made it his life's work to not only get the word out about that which he knows to be true, and what he has personally witnessed, but also to get funds to the grassroots groups championing the causes, that lives may be saved and quality of life restored.

For the past few years I have had the time and clarity of purpose to explore and learn more about the challenges that face humanity. I involved myself and my chequebook in causes that I deemed to be important however I struggled to weave the threads into a cohesive mission for myself. I think I am on to something now ... the veil is lifting and I have a feeling it's going to be a girl thing.

More Women for Women

I just got word that my Women for Women sister Monica will be graduating from the program at the end of October. It is hard to fathom that a year has passed already since that first glimpse of her in the black and white picture sent in the WFW sponsorship kit. I can remember thinking that her stare was that of someone who harboured alot of pain and her face bore evidence of hard living.

Monica is from the Sudan - mother of seven children at age 23. I wrote her many letters as recommended and although we are cautioned that the women may not be able to reciprocate, I had hoped to hear from her -- how her life was going. No matter. It is my deepest hope that the year spent being loved by a far away sister and supported by Women for Women has given her stable legs and renewed strength to go forward with her life. I have to write her a final letter that will serve as our goodbye -- and then -- I can look forward to learning about my new sister.

Women have been supporting one another forever as long as I can remember. My mom once likened her "coffee dates" with the neighbourhood ladies to a support group. I would hear snippets of their conversations as they stirred their instant coffee as I wandered through the kitchen - invisible. Brainstorming ideas -- how to afford night school; who could babysit the kids; birth control issues; how to meet the demands of husbands and kids. They would clean one another's houses, watch each other's children and pool together to sew curtains and paint bedrooms. Women supporting other women -- and that is what I love about WFW.

I just hope Monica has someone who loves her enough to wrap their arms around her weary shoulders and tell her that they love her. I hope Monica can feel the love and power of half of the planet's population pulling for her-- yearning for her survival and sur-thrival.

Stay tuned for future introductions to my new sister ....

My other posts about Women for Women

Notes from the Field

As I have mentioned before I am involved with the Women for Women International program as a sponsor. What started as mild interest in this organization has grown into full blown admiration and respect for the work they do.  And in the true spirit of blogging, I have been following their field blog to gain insights and a feel for the situations facing women in countries of conflict. I just have to share it with you: Notes from the Field.

As I scan the vivid images and read the personal, accounts and impressions from the field officers from Rwanda, the Congo and other places, my curiosity is roused and the desire to learn more is stoked. I think about my WFW sister Monica from the Sudan and I try to picture her sitting in one of the programs offered by WFW. I wonder how she is managing and what her worries are. Does she know that people care about her and the many others who have survived the effects of brutal conflict?  My next big adventure I think will be to Rwanda; I have much to learn and I want to do it first hand, up close and personal. I have to experience it for myself.

But for now, Notes from the Field will have to suffice. And aren't we fortunate to have access and insight that we wouldn't otherwise have - the power and the gifts of blogs. I honestly think they can help affect change in this world.

Take 61 seconds and become inspired and moved; watch this video:



See my other posts about Women for Women International and my far away sister Monica.

Good Read

Kidlet is playing her final provincial championship hockey games this weekend. The weather chimed in to create an appropriate environment by dropping the temp to just 2 degrees Celsius and throwing in some blustery winds for good measure.

Arena time involves lots of pre-game waiting - sitting - drinking hot drinks. I grabbed a book from my "must read" pile as I headed out this morning to help fill the down time. My random reading pick ended up being Give a Little, How our small donations can transform our world, by Wendy Smith - and I can't put it down! It describes the cumulative power of the affordable donations made by everyday citizens and how they can change the world. The author suggests ways to choose charities and non profits that will help your donation dollar have the greatest impact possible. I was happy to see some of my favourite causes and agencies listed.

The book reads somewhat like a textbook with its source citations and charts but I found myself hungrily devouring every page and factoid. I feel as though  I am getting clarity around purpose and giving back. Most of all, I found inspiration between the pages - inspiration to dig deeper; give more consicously. I can feel the winds of growth blowing gently on my neck and my heart quickens at the excitement of it all. Life is good - and if you allow it to be - an incredible journey of self actualization.

Life is not in having and getting,
but in being and becoming.
- Matthew Arnold

Note: Off to bed. We are due at the arena by 6:30 tomorrow morning. Good thing I am a morning person. Now only if Kidlet was ...

What to Do With Unused Shoes

I am always on the lookout for the creative inititatives people develop to help make our world better. I read about one such project, Shoes for Samantha over at Carrie's blog.

Shoes for Samantha was started by a few friends trying to collect used athletic shoes to send to their friend Samantha, a Peace Corps volunteer stationed in Lesotho, a small kingdom surrounded by South Africa. Here is how Rachel Sparks describes their project on their blog:

My dear friend Samantha is stationed in Lesotho (Southern Africa) for a 2.5 year stint with the Peace Corps. Recently in her blog she wrote about a track team at her school. Sam was a HUGE runner in high school and at Clemson ... Track season in Lesotho is almost over but she's talking of coaching next year. The problem? Her students desperately need shoes. Sam writes, "The debatably 400 meter track had two mild inclines and was dirt smeared with shards of glass. My students ran barefoot!". After reading this, I knew I wanted to help.

After a little research we found out that, "not only will shoes protect our avid runners' feet, they protect the students' health as well!! A leading cause of disease in developing countries is soil-transmitted diseases, which can penetrate the skin through bare feet. Wearing shoes can help prevent these diseases, and the long-term physical and cognitive harm they cause. Wearing shoes also prevents feet from getting cuts and sores. Not only are these injuries painful, they also are dangerous when wounds become infected."

Shoes for Samantha is asking you to donate any old running shoes - it doesn't matter what size - so they can be shipped to the students in Lesotho.

There are five "collectors" in the US that you can contact to arrange drop off - go to Shoes for Samantha for details. The projected ship date will be May 1.  If you want to help but don't have any old shoes, you can do what I did and make a small donation to help them cover shipping costs.

One of my favourite movements, Free the Children, uses the mantra Me to We. I love when I witness individuals being the change they want to see (how Gandhi!), and shifting the focus to WE - humankind. Let's applaud these young ladies and help out if we can!

Sam's Class

Simple Things

It's the simple things that deliver joy, comfort and contentment.  Here's my list ...

~ waking up with 30 minutes still left on the clock, drifting in and out, meeting the day lazily
~ standing in a shower so hot it makes my skin red

~ finding my soft place to fall - the sweet spot just below his shoulder
~ wearing warm woolly socks on my ice cold feet

~ seeing the shining eyes of my reflection when I am rested and relaxed

~ hearing a John Denver tune on the radio
~ strolling along the waterfront while my mind wanders the infinite

~ catching a rerun of The Way We Were on a wintry Sunday afternoon

~ singing from the top of my lungs to my music as I clean

~ sipping something steaming from my favourite coffee mug with a handle big enough for me to slip both hands through

~ eating leftovers

~ rummaging through memory boxes bins

~ I love you's that are murmured, proclaimed and jotted in notes.

~ peeling a perfect banana - firm, unbruised and little on the unripe side of things
~ pulling my luggage through airports, knowing I am on my way

~ using a fresh bottle of shampoo for the very first time

~ being bundled on the couch with a book and a whole day stretched out before me

~ bleeding hearts - the kind that peek through winter to herald spring's arrival

~ piling cheddar cheese on a piece of fresh homemade bread covered with strawberry jam

~ eating the above with a hot cup of perfectly steeped tea

~ not being able to roll over because my dog Fritz is laying right between us
~ writing with the perfect writing pen - the kind with a comfy grip and that glides across the page

~ snapping a picture knowing you got the perfect shot; that you captured the perfect moment

~ wearing new underwear

I met a new blogfriend a few days ago ... Christina from Soul Aperature. Her blog is fresh and creative and well worth a visit (you'll overstay!). She is inviting us all to post the simple things in life that we appreciate and for each blog that participates, she and her family will donate $1.00 to Doctors without Borders. Just leave the link to your post in a comment on her blog. It feels good to support her giving ways.

Dropping Monica a Line

I finally wrote my first letter to my Sudanese sister from Women for Women International. It was hard to know what to include ... but I decided a heartfelt introduction was in order. Here is a little of what I wrote:

Dear Monica,
I have waited for this chance to write to you for a long time. From the moment that I learned about the need and struggles of my fellow women and the work that Women to Women was doing, I wanted to be a part of it. As women we share a common bond of sisterhood. We are caregivers; we have people we love and nurture and have to be the strength that our children, husbands/spouses and parents turn to when they need support.

It was wonderful to finally see you my sister – your noble face staring back at me. Your eyes look so sad Monica but you look like a strong woman. I wish I could sit with you and share a cup of tea; you could tell me about your life, your family. You could share your pain and tell me what makes you happy. I could wrap my arms around you and hug you close so you would know that you are have a sister on your side. I would tell you that I am a mother of three daughters ... and  am a wife, daughter, sister, aunt, friend. I would tell you so much ... but I would listen more...

I want to know all about you Monica ... maybe you can write back. But if you can’t, I want you to know that someone very far away thinks about you and is sending you lots of love. I know it is difficult to take care of children and make a life for yourself but I can see the fire in your eyes and I know that if you make a picture of the life you want, you can have it. Life will get better. Believe.

Love  – your far away sister.

Three Cups of Tea for Me

I went in search of inspiration - and boy did I get a big huge heaping helping of it. My dear friend Jilly treated me to a night with Greg Mortenson, author of Three Cups of Tea. (Sounds rather juicy doesn't it?) He appeared at the Toronto Library to share his message of peace through education. The place was packed with more women than men, faces of all colours and ages and a scattering of children - many clutching a copy of one of the two books he has written.

He started late ... he went MIA. They found him down on the main floor of the library, greeting the throngs of people who were seated in "overflow" in front of video screens. The first thing I noticed about this big bear of a man was that he "saw" people; he didn't look through them. As he made his way to the podium, his smiling face beaming, he paused to shake hands and ask people their names. He continued along the front row until the faciliator gently reminded him that time was at a premium.

He seemed to be genuinely grateful to be there, and for the next hour  or so he mesmerized us with tales of  his childhood in Tanzania, the Afghan elders who became his mentors and of his passion for his mission to help educate girls in Afghanistan and Pakistan. He explained how education is the key to peace. My recount of the evening does not do it justice. I can only say that he moved me in a way that was unexpected. I felt the first tear fall as I watched the opening video showing the shining, hopeful faces of the Afghan children and wizzened faces of the elders. The next tear slipped down my cheek as Greg walked through the door and started embracing and greeting people with such warmth and genuine interest. There's that word genuine again ... and I suppose that pretty much sums up my impression of Greg Mortenson. GENUINE.

Jilly and I laughed as we concurred that we felt as though we had just seen a rock star -- an evening on par with a Bruce Springsteen concert (and we really love Bruce!). At the end of the evening my heart was happy, my head was spinning and I was brimming with love.  I felt full to overflowing with inspiration. A person like Greg Mortenson is a shining beacon of hope ... and makes me want to shine my own light too.

Thanks Jilly for an evening that impacted me profoundly.

Watch this moving video with the Three Cups of Tea song, sung by Greg Mortenson's 13 year old daughter Amira.