Wednesday Wisdom

Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better [wo]man.

~Benjamin Franklin

Happy New Year!

awareness vs. activism

art from www.beatplay.wordpress.com

I spend a lot of time learning, building awareness, about what's going on in the world. NPR, New York Times, blogosphere, books, documentaries, you name it. I am aware about a lot more issues than I am actively involved in changing.

But, it is awareness that leads to activism, which leads to change. Activism sounds big and intimidating, but it's really quite simple: taking action towards change, and urging others to do the same. If I had never learned about child slavery, I would have never become a fair-trade activist (and in turn, and anti-slavery activist). If I had never seen the massive inequalities children face in our society, I would never have become a social worker (which is a full-time activist). And so on, and so forth . . .

Of course, no one can be equally involved and passionate about ALL social issues. Some people give their lives to fight for clean water, some people fight for food and shelter for everyone, some people fight slavery, some fight loneliness. All of it is important, and I think each of us should find our passion and dive right in. But what about being integrated, and living our values even in the little things?

I think sometimes awareness feels like activism--watching a gripping movie that teaches us about some social ill makes us feel really smart and compassionate. And while that learning is important, it only matters in so far as it changes us, and in turn, changes society.

So while I spend all day working to make sure children who got an unfair hand have access to everything they need to grow up healthy, I also try to beactive in little ways, like reducing negative impact on our environment, or trying to use my money in ways that make the world better. I think I can call myself a Fair Trade Activist, even though it's not a full time gig. I also have a long way to go . . . I am trying to increase my impact with clean water for all and making my voice heard in a greater variety of justice issues, and I know I can do more. We can be everyday activists--in fact, it's among the most important things we can be! I firmly believe that the world will truly change when all of us make series of small choices that make life better for everyone.

Awareness, yes. But because it leads to activism, and because activism leads to change.

If you're looking to make a difference RIGHT NOW, check out http://www.domaconnection.org/ and give. They are 3 days away from a major opportunity, and they need you!

Wedneday Wisdom

I've been thinking this one over for awhile. It's tempting to work like crazy, making things happen, manipulating situations into perceived success. When dealing with people, though, goodness blossoms at its own time. Christmas teaches that lesson well: the world was a mess, so God planted a teeny, tiny seed in a woman and allowed it to grow. And that is what saved the world.

"Adopt the pace of nature; her secret is patience."

--Ralph Waldo Emerson

Merry Christmas!

Double your money! Act now! Operators are standing by!

If you're looking for an alternative Christmas idea, or an organization to give your year-end tax-deductable donation, or if your heart has been stirred by the horrors of human trafficking and the degradation of America's sex industry, or if you want an opportunity to change a woman's life, then I strongly urge you to check out Doma International!

Doma has an opportunity to earn $54,000 before the end of 2010--on condition that they raise $27,000 themselves. If they raise $27,000, a generous donor will DOUBLE it to $54,000! If they raise $26,500, then no match.If you've ever considered giving to Doma, even giving $10, $100, $1,000, or $10,000, now is the time!

With these funds, Doma will be developing their Bloom! house for women who are exiting prostitution and the pain that goes with it, growing firmer roots and reaching toward the sun. The program will provide victim support services in conjunction with the courts and substance abuse recovery. The women learn basic life skills, build healthy relationships, and engage in nurturing activities, all while being surrounded with strong women who care about them and their futures. This program is a part of Project Green Light, seeking to end human trafficking in Ohio, the United States, and the world.

Could this be your first step (or next step) in the modern abolitionist movement?

Could this be your chance to bring this situation to the attention of someone (or some organization) who can make this matching grant a reality?

Do you have questions about prostitution, human trafficking, or Doma?

You can contact me. Or contact Julie Clark, CEO of Doma, Daniel, development director, or Tom English, COO. Or if you're ready to give, head on over to Doma's secure giving site hosted by eTapestry and give to your heart's content.

Could you please share this information with friends, family, and organizations through emails, reposts, links, and even phone calls?

Please don't wait, we only have until December 31, 2010!!

And THANK YOU for your care and concern for women and children, at home and beyond!

Time Flies

I definitely thought I'd be blogging more in Advent.

And I definitely discovered that the spirit of Advent and Christmas is more present in our home when we spend less time with a computer in our laps.

Living the meaning of Advent comes easier some days than others. And our calendar idea will undergo some tweaking next year, as delivering suprise cookies works better on some days than others, for example. But it's been a fun adventure and a joy, living mindfully this season and focusing on what matters. We've been reading lots of St Francis, spending good time with good people, and opening our eyes to new opportunities. I thought I'd be blogging more, but I guess there are brighter and warmer things for me to do this season. I'm OK with that. :)

Wednesday Wisdom

Christmas means nostalgia. For the children I work with, it means memories and missing people you love with all your heart. For so many people, it stings, as they are more alone than they dreamed they would be.

Maybe we need to take a bit more care of ourselves during this holiday season, to learn from our feelings and grow into stronger, more sensitive people. And most definitely, we need to look around and extend some warmth, maybe open our homes, to someone who is feeling alone.

"Christmas is a time when you get homesick--even when you're home."
-Carol Nelson

Linus and Lucy

Linus is concerned that Christmas has gone too commercial. Lucy is just glad that Christmas means lots of presents for pretty girls. Argh! I feel like Linus in a Lucy world.

It is so, so hard to find gifts that fit our values, fit our budgets, and delight the people we love. After years of shopping for gifts that make wise use of resources and support human dignity (not slavery), we feel like we have maxed out Global Gifts, Fair Indigo, and the like. We're trying Global Girlfriend. We're trying Uncommon Goods, though I am not convinced these products are produced fairly. When we buy mainstream gifts, we try to buy smart, using Green America's Responsible Shopper. But the sad truth is, there is a limited supply of items that feel good for us to buy and give.

Further, I have never enjoyed giving gifts just to say I have given a gift. I want to give something meaningful, useful, fun, worthwhile. The honest truth is that for most people on my list, they have PLENTY. A feast of more than enough. It is hard to find an item that cuts through the accumulation of stuff to be a meaningful gift.

What to do? We have tried to give gifts of presence, not just presents. Tickets, time together, etc. Sometimes that works better than others. I would love to stick to what a lovely woman I know calls the secondhand, handmade, fairtrade rule, but sometimes I shy away because I'm not sure how it would be received. Or what about contributing to college funds for the busy kids who seem to have everything?

We're still pondering, but we're running out of time! What about you? How do you go about selecting a lovely Christmas gift?

Wednesday Wisdom

Remember my perfectionism compulsion? Who knows why I'm this way, but it's taken me 31 years to get here so I have some grace for myself if I haven't quite mastered it yet. A fresh perspective, at least for me, and a beautiful relief and challenge:

"A [woman] who fails well is greater than one who succeeds badly. One who is content in what [she] has, and who accepts the fact that [she] inevitably misses very much in life, is far better off than one who has much more but who worries about all [she] may be missing. For we cannot make the best of what we are, if our hearts are always divided between what we are and what we are not." --Thomas Merton

Wednesday Wisdom

I find wisdom in so many places. I read it and hear it every day, from friends, family and famous people. Looks like Wednesdays will be a weekly homage to the wisdom I gather throughout the week. As we enter Advent, I am striving to keep the spirit of the season alive in every moment of even the bleakest day. Thus,

"It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air."
--W. T. Ellis