Be Outraged!

Is it just Me...

No, I know it isn't; how could it be?

It took almost three weeks for the world to hear the story of hundreds of young Nigerian girls having been taken form their school in Lagos, Nigeria...almost three weeks.

As we hear the story now, the Nigerian government was aware of the planned kidnappings hours before they occurred.  Despite the offer of assistance from nearby allies, the Nigeria leader seemed to stand by and do nothing.

I am writing this on Mother's Day.  All day long, I wondered how hundreds of Nigerian women long for the safe return of their daughters not knowing it they will ever be reunited.  Mother's Day is just one more 24 hour period; it's been 4 weeks; 672 agonizing hours!

From the Vicar of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis, I to neighbor-hoods  around the world, we are asked to pray; so we must.

We must be outraged.  We must stay outraged.  

Please pay attention to what may be going on in your neighborhoods and in your house of worship.  Do what you can to support the global initiative to being these girls home; to bring them home soon and safely.

Pray these girls have the courage, the strength and the resolve to go on with their lives and to remain strong and lean on each other until each of them can stand on their own.

Pray for the mother's, the father's the siblings of the abducted girls, pray for a nation that did nothing to prevent this from happening, pray an atrocity such as this never happens again.

BE OUTRAGED....STAY OUTRAGED  

From all of us here at TheIWLA,

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

Redemption

Is it just ME, or do you, too, love redemption?

Well, let me explain what I mean by redemption:  you try something, attempt something - anything- and it doesn't end up exactly how you would have written the outcome; if only it were that easy!

You try again:  better outcome, more pleasing results, closer to the goal; Ah, redemption.

So, let me ask you again:  Is it just me, or do, you, too love redemption?

I'll bet you do; and you should, especially when it's your effort, your dream, your goal. (And, of course, we wish the same for everyone!)

Redemption is not happenstance.  It's the result of resolve, perseverance, passion and belief in what it is you are doing.  Most importantly, it's about believing in yourself. 

Redemption is not a gift; it's the result of action taken, and IF it IS given to you, have YOU actually been the benefactor of (well deserved) redemption or the beneficiary of another's?  Hmmm?

While they both put you in the same position, I think it is only the first that positions you to know how to take the next step and to be worthy of another step forward.

Does that sound harsh?  Does it seem I am being too hard on the beneficiary of redemption?

That's not my intention.  Rather, it is to continue to encourage you to never give up, to hold strong to your vision and never, never be afraid to try and/or have to try again...and again, and again......

Last year, I recovered a bed in my garden.  Shrubs were removed, trees were pruned. I moved 1,000 pounds of rocks, 500 pounds of top soil, dozens of perennials, fertilizer, decorartive rocks.  I had a goal.  It was based on a short-term need with a long term vision in mind.

The short term need was well served; it looked quite good, if I do say so myself.

Then came a long, hard, ridiculously cold winter.  I wondered what would happen when the weather warmed.  Was it possible for these new plantings to endure?  Could they fight their way back and bloom again?  I wondered;  I actually prayed.

Well, Mother Nature's wonders never cease to amaze me!  Sprouts have appeared through the topsoil and tiny little miracles are happening before my very eyes.  A garden:  REDEEMED.

I hope this is an example many of you can relate to!  Whether it's your garden, your family, advancing at work, gaining more support in the community, closing  your goals and getting closer to your vision...whatever it is, ultimately it's about doing the work and never giving up, especially when the result is important to you and has the potential of being meaningful to others.

OK - think about that one!

Is there something -  anything -  that a woman does that does not have those potential to impact and be of great value to others?  Nothing I can think of!

So, IS it just me, or do you, too, love a story of redemption:  YOURS!

              Make adjustments; never stop trying

Another First

Is it just ME, or do you, too, love to know there are still ‘firsts’ in the world to be celebrated?

Today’s news aired expansive coverage of the Canonizing of two outstanding men to an audience of tens of millions of viewers plus the 1.2 million pilgrims and visitors who crowded the streets around Vatican City, Italy.

This unprecedented event that raised two former Vicars of the Catholic Church to the level of sainthood was also marked for having two Popes in attendance.

This is not about religion, this is about the fact that in an age of so horror and devastation, two men of the modern world impacted it so that their legacy is an outstanding testament to the fact that there is still an opportunity to do right in times that present challenges that can sometimes make it hard to see with unwavering clarity the truth as we need to experience it.

As a young student, I loved reading the biographies of ancient saints: John the Baptist, Daniel in the lion’s den, Francis of Assisi, Theresa of the Little Flower.

Each story profound; a sign of their times; it seemed sainthood had become a series of ancient history lessons; until today’s powerful reminder.

Now, have no doubt, I know that the likes of Mother Theresa will never become cliché; such humanity, sadly, will never be found on every corner (it would be nice to have at least one in every corner of the world, though!).  But, acts of kindness, thoughtfulness of others, sharing yours talents with others and helping them realize their own…these things ARE possible and that CAN change the world and they SHOULD become part of daily life.

Elevation to sainthood requires miracles among additional criteria that separate  the ‘common’ man from a saint, These miracles must be documented, studied, authenticated, verified and reviewed by committee after committee.

 

It caused me to think it may be easier to live in a saintly way than to actually become a saint.  It’s also rather motivating.  So, why not?

 

I am more than confident that in everyone’s life, there have been events we have all called miraculous; I know they exist in my life!

We hear stories of survival after unimaginable accidents, strangers saving strangers, animals enduring extreme conditions as they make their way across the country to reunite with their families.  Yes, miracles happen every day.  

   

Here’s a challenge I put out there, and forgive me for assuming the right to do.

Create miracles, recognize the miracles of others, encourage the possibility of miracles in, for and by and because of others. 

We are, after all, women, responsible for the continuation of mankind:  miracle!

So IS it just me, or do you,  too,  agree that while there is not a Mother Theresa on every corner, - and there never will be -   there is still the possibility to be a tiny bit like this extraordinary women and to do simple things with great love and  to change the lives of  others.  Actually, it’s what women do every day.

Maybe no one is watching, but, hey, that’s makes it even better!

There are miracles in all of us.

Yesterday’s Memories Create Better Tomorrows

Is it just ME, or do you, too love to reflect on childhood memories? I’m somewhat of a story teller.  Many of the stories I tell are life experiences of years gone by.   Many are second generation stories as I try to repeat words of wisdom spoken and taught by my Dad, even his jokes, which are never as good when I tell them! Ahh!  Sweet memories!  So worth remembering,; so worth sharing. Below is such a story as shared by Mala Brindley who looks back on fond memories then takes those memories to create a better future for her own children and the children of the world…. Restoring Balance We all come into this world with a task to accomplish… when we don’t think on these things and we get too caught up in the day to day we forget our spiritual responsibilities. We reach a stage where we ask, “Is this all there is?” - “Why am I here?” Growing up in Barbados, we spent many wonderful days walking the beach and poking around the reefs of the east coast of the island… ahhhh… there is nothing between there and the coast of Africa - the air is cleaner and waves never stop crashing.  My dad bought our beach house over 55 years ago. He wanted my eldest sister to spend as much time there so it would ease her asthmatic conditions. All four girls have the best memories of spending time at the beach house. The carefree days of being in the sun and getting the salt spray all over your skin and the sand in your hair - oh those were the days. I would spend hours looking into all the rock pools in the reefs at low tide. I’d talk to the fish and hold the sea urchins and watch all their spiny needles dance. I loved all the seaweeds and coral formations - they were home. They needed to be cared for and protected.   Years later I would find myself happily married in Toronto. My husband Paul loved the east coast as much as I did and cared for the environment just as deeply. I always wanted to help but I didn’t know how. I wanted so much to clean up the beach and to educate people on being more environmentally conscious. We raised our boys checking out the fish and looking for patterns in the coral formations when we’d go on our holidays back home. They grew up frolicking in the same rock pools that we did and our parents did. I wanted for these precious human beings to have the same experiences that we had growing up. There’s a part of us that gets lazy as we “grow up” - we forget the power and gifts given by the creative forces - we stop taking time to be still and we don’t make time to align with Source. This takes us away from the things we love and treasure - the same things we want for our children and our grandchildren. And yet if we don’t make time for those things and show our children that we are doing all that we can to keep “our home” pure and clean, how will they learn and what condition will our planet be in if we don’t make time to look after what we forget is most dear? If every home made a conscious decision to live more mindfully, life would be more gracious. So often in the taking and working, we forget that a walk in the forest, a swim in the lake or just laying on a blanket in the park watching the leaves on the trees and the clouds in the sky is what we need most to feel that sense of what’s right with us - taking time to be grateful for all that we have. This can be done by going back to Mother Nature’s laws; to simplifying and making sure we all take time to connect to our divine nature. If we made more conscious choices of what we needed for ourselves, we would be gentler with ourselves and our planet. Even in the coldest longest winters, we can get cozy, close our eyes and give thanks. As we emerge into this spring, let’s remember to give back and take care of our Mother Earth. Together we can restore balance to what really matters. Mala Brindley Mala is taking part in a special World Healing Conference led by the renowned Kathy Roseborough on April 26th. You don't have to attend physically to be showered with Blessings and Healing.  Click here to help heal our waters. Here’s to creating new memories for tomorrow!

“O”, Yes

Is  it just ME, or do you, too, love the new-found energy that comes with the arrival of kinder, gentler weather.

In the Western Hemisphere, we are now in Spring and, after a devastating  winter, I am sure we are all ready for Spring-Fever.  To those in the Eastern Hemisphere, I hope you enjoyed a beautiful spring and summer that fortified you for the winter ahead.

Energy!  While there are many ways of expressing what energy is, I see it, no I feel it, as that want from within, that desire to take on new projects (or finish the old ones!),  that ability to see things on the lighter, brighter side and to move forward.

Energy!  It’s a life force, it’s a life source.  It’s vibrational,  it’s the flow of blood through your veins, it’s the ability to imagine and to realize the difference between living and just being alive.

ERGO, in the absence of energy, it is the opposite of all of these things!

So, what energizes you?  Do you know?  Do you know what zaps your energy?

Recently, I have shared many conversations with women of The International Women’s Leadership Association (TheIWLA) and what I am hearing is energy on a whole new level.  Thanks, that gets my energy going!

I am hearing words such as ‘inspired’,  ‘ focus’,  ‘now I get it’,  ‘desire’,  “I can”,  ‘purpose’,  ‘fulfillment’.   These are powerful indications of what is being felt, experienced and desired.  Yeah, it’s good; it’s all good. 

Mentor to women everywhere, Oprah Winfrey describes energy this way:

“Energy is the essence of life. Every day you decide how

  you’re going to use it by knowing what you want and what   

  it takes to reach that goal, and by maintaining focus.”

What energy IS NOT, is that it is not to be wasted.  Energy is a gift; a gift you may have been given and a gift you can share – and perhaps even give – to others.

The really great thing about energy is that it must be spent to have its true value; otherwise it just seems to fade, to evaporate.  

Once spent, it comes right back to you.  ENERGY BEGETS ENERGY!

If you are feeling low on energy (no matter what time of the year it is), turn your “ON” switch on; energy will start generating on its own.

Once in energy mode, you will not want to live without it and the world may miss your greatest contribution; don’t let that happen!

As always, it’s about choice; your choice. 

If you are just not sure about how to build the energy you need to reach your goals, to fulfill your dreams, to realize what you are truly capable of……call me!  REALLY, CALL ME!

So IS it just me – and Oprah – or do you, too get that you are the keeper of your own energy level.  But, don’t keep it…give it away and start manufacturing more!

855 843-4952

Everything is hard before it gets easy!

Is it just ME, or do you, too relate to this title?

Remember trying to learn a new lesson in school?  How to diagram a sentence, Trigonometry, conjugating verbs, parsing nouns – IN LATIN!!!

I suddenly have a pounding headache!!! 

What about leaving a message on an answering machine for the first 100 times?  Instant panic, “Hi, it’s me; call me; bye”!   NOW, we feel at ease to go on and on, and on, and on…                      AND ON!

What about using your computer?  Sending e-mails, texting?

As new experiences they may have created challenges; now they are second nature.  (Parsing nouns in Latin:  still not easy!)

Matters of the heart!  Sometimes hard; easy with the right person.

Starting a business!  Sometimes, it may seem impossible.  Then you start.  Day by day it becomes part of you and you a part of it.  It’s easier!

Virtually every day, women of The International Women’s Leadership Association (TheIWLA) share their trials, their tribulations, their triumphs.  I imagine it may have been hard for many of them to be that honest, that open; then it got easier.

In listening to these women, what was once hard(er) for me to understand has become quite easy, that is, that if something means enough to you and if that something is a true and valued cause, it’s not too hard.

What I don’t think ever gets easier is wondering why, or what if. 

What seem hard for you right now?  Please stop and consider that, won’t you?

WHY does it seem hard?  WHAT is it that scares you?  WHERE is your doubt, your fear? 

Now, here’s the big question; the ‘hardest’ one to answer….

WHO’s making it hard, WHO’s getting in your way?

While I think we all know the answer, it may be too hard to hear yourself say it aloud.  But, as soon as you say it, you begin to accept it and as soon as you accept it – it begins to get easier.

If this is too hard to do alone, call me…it used to be hard to find me; now it’s easy!!!

So, IS it just me, or do you, too still find parsing nouns – IN LATIN – not all that easy?

Et Tu?