Monday, January 3, 2011
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Global Writeathon!! Dec. 4-12
Greetings everyone! I wanted to take a moment from my busy schedule to make sure to tell you all about Amnesty International's Global Writeathon. Remember...Your Words Have Power. They can bring FREEDOM to prisoners of conscience. They can demand JUSTICE for survivors of torture. They can offer HOPE to human rights defenders at risk.
Your words can SAVE LIVES.
Each year hundreds of thousands of people across the world mark International Human Rights Day on December 10 by taking part in Amnesty International's Write for Rights Global Write-a-thon - the world's largest letter writing event. People all over the world join together and write letters to demand that the rights of individuals are respected, protected, and fulfilled. In doing so, they show solidarity with those suffering human rights abuses and work to bring about real change in people's lives.
I have decided to participate this year and have pledged to write 5 letters myself. I hope you you all take the time to join me in my efforts to spread human rights to all human beings. Tis the season to spread love and peace. Please do you part and join in the Global writeathon today. And don't worry if you don't finish your letters by the 12th there really is no deadline. This is just a yearly event to spur extra letters before the end of the year. For more information check out Amnesty's web site: www.amnestyusa.org/writeathon!
By the way, I have less than a month until the Nica delegation!! Please keep me in your prayers! I am also still taking donations, so if you feel the call to donate let me know. Thank you everyone and have an amazing day.
Your words can SAVE LIVES.
Each year hundreds of thousands of people across the world mark International Human Rights Day on December 10 by taking part in Amnesty International's Write for Rights Global Write-a-thon - the world's largest letter writing event. People all over the world join together and write letters to demand that the rights of individuals are respected, protected, and fulfilled. In doing so, they show solidarity with those suffering human rights abuses and work to bring about real change in people's lives.
I have decided to participate this year and have pledged to write 5 letters myself. I hope you you all take the time to join me in my efforts to spread human rights to all human beings. Tis the season to spread love and peace. Please do you part and join in the Global writeathon today. And don't worry if you don't finish your letters by the 12th there really is no deadline. This is just a yearly event to spur extra letters before the end of the year. For more information check out Amnesty's web site: www.amnestyusa.org/writeathon!
By the way, I have less than a month until the Nica delegation!! Please keep me in your prayers! I am also still taking donations, so if you feel the call to donate let me know. Thank you everyone and have an amazing day.
Monday, November 22, 2010
I received this story from an email. I thought it was appropriate for the holiday season!
Just a nice message to pass along today.
A blind boy sat on the steps of a building with a hat by his feet. He held up a sign which said: "I am blind, please help." There were only a few coins in the hat.
A man was walking by. He took a few coins from his pocket and dropped them into the hat. He then took the sign, turned it around, and wrote some words. He put the sign back so that everyone who walked by would see the new words. Soon the hat began to fill up. A lot more people were giving money to the blind boy. That afternoon the man who had changed the sign came to see how things were. The boy recognized his footsteps and asked, "Were you the one who changed my sign this morning? What did you write?"
The man said, "I only wrote the truth. I said what you said but in a different way." I wrote: "Today is a beautiful day but I cannot see it."
Both signs told people that the boy was blind. But the first sign simply said the boy was blind. The second sign told people that they were so lucky that they were not blind. Should we be surprised that the second sign was more effective?
Moral of the Story:
Be thankful for what you have. Be creative. Be innovative. Think differently and positively. When life gives you a 100 reasons to cry, show life that you have 1000 reasons to smile. Face your past without regret. Handle your present with confidence. Prepare for the future without fear. Keep the faith and drop the fear.
The most beautiful thing is to see a person smiling…And even more beautiful, is knowing that you are the reason behind it!!!
If you appreciate this message, please share. You may touch someone's heart today and forever. Enjoy this Thanksgiving week by having a heart of gratitude. I know I am grateful for you! You make me see that it is a beautiful day-cause you are in it!
Spread the love!
A blind boy sat on the steps of a building with a hat by his feet. He held up a sign which said: "I am blind, please help." There were only a few coins in the hat.
A man was walking by. He took a few coins from his pocket and dropped them into the hat. He then took the sign, turned it around, and wrote some words. He put the sign back so that everyone who walked by would see the new words. Soon the hat began to fill up. A lot more people were giving money to the blind boy. That afternoon the man who had changed the sign came to see how things were. The boy recognized his footsteps and asked, "Were you the one who changed my sign this morning? What did you write?"
The man said, "I only wrote the truth. I said what you said but in a different way." I wrote: "Today is a beautiful day but I cannot see it."
Both signs told people that the boy was blind. But the first sign simply said the boy was blind. The second sign told people that they were so lucky that they were not blind. Should we be surprised that the second sign was more effective?
Moral of the Story:
Be thankful for what you have. Be creative. Be innovative. Think differently and positively. When life gives you a 100 reasons to cry, show life that you have 1000 reasons to smile. Face your past without regret. Handle your present with confidence. Prepare for the future without fear. Keep the faith and drop the fear.
The most beautiful thing is to see a person smiling…And even more beautiful, is knowing that you are the reason behind it!!!
If you appreciate this message, please share. You may touch someone's heart today and forever. Enjoy this Thanksgiving week by having a heart of gratitude. I know I am grateful for you! You make me see that it is a beautiful day-cause you are in it!
Spread the love!
Thursday, November 18, 2010
46 Days!!
WOW!!! There are only 46 days, 6 hours, 9 minutes and 35 seconds until I leave for Nicaragua.I just wanted to share that with all of you. I am starting to feel slightly overwhelmed and anxious by all I have to do before I leave in regards to school work, saving money, preparing myself mentally, finding what I need to pack, etc. I really need lots of prayer right now just for some peace of mind, the strength to not panic, and to have faith like a child. Thank you for your prayers and support!
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Yes, Unfortunately I Still Need Money
I just noticed, right now, that it has been a long while since I last posted my fundraising thermometer, and I also just noticed that it is probably due to the fact that I have finally hit my fundraising wall. Unfortunately for me, I have tapped out on all of the funds that I could possibly get from my closest financial resources. I would like to reiterate just how grateful I am to all of you that have shown me so much love and support in all senses of the word: financially, mentally, and spiritually, etc. It has made this journey such a positive one thus far. I am so delighted by all of the positive and hopeful feedback that I have been receiving from all of my donators. Not only have each and every one of you have made this process so much easier to handle, but you also made it much more enjoyable than I could have ever possibly imagined.
Fundraising Ideas
If anyone reading this knows of anyone else that would be willing to donate to our cause for global understanding and the spread of hope, peace, and love, then please forward my information to them! Since I am taking 18 credits this semester I really do not have the time to go out of my way to find possible financial donors. And please if you have not yet made a donation, I pray that you will seriously reconsider making a donation today. All donations must be handed in by Thanksgiving, so please be aware that time is of the essence. We now only have 89 days left until our delegation literally embarks on a plane ride to Nicaragua. I would also like for everyone to consider it as 89 days left until I, as a human being, embark on the "Evolution of Alice."
As you consider making a monetary donation, please do not just think of it in terms of how much money you have to "spare" to physically send me there, but think about it more on the terms of, "how much are you willing to donate, so that a young woman can truly discover her life's destiny?" I pray that you contemplate the latter.
Fundraising Ideas
If anyone reading this knows of anyone else that would be willing to donate to our cause for global understanding and the spread of hope, peace, and love, then please forward my information to them! Since I am taking 18 credits this semester I really do not have the time to go out of my way to find possible financial donors. And please if you have not yet made a donation, I pray that you will seriously reconsider making a donation today. All donations must be handed in by Thanksgiving, so please be aware that time is of the essence. We now only have 89 days left until our delegation literally embarks on a plane ride to Nicaragua. I would also like for everyone to consider it as 89 days left until I, as a human being, embark on the "Evolution of Alice."
As you consider making a monetary donation, please do not just think of it in terms of how much money you have to "spare" to physically send me there, but think about it more on the terms of, "how much are you willing to donate, so that a young woman can truly discover her life's destiny?" I pray that you contemplate the latter.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Inspirational Quote..
So, I know I said that I haven't found any quotes lately, but I just checked my email and my dad sent me a devotional with an amazing quote that I'd like to share with all of you.
"I will refuse to see people as anything less than human beings, created by God. I will refuse to see any problem as anything less than an opportunity to see God."
Max Lucado
That brings another amazing quote to mind, "A person's a person, no matter how small."
Horton Hears a Who (Dr. Seuss)
Spread the love everyone!
"I will refuse to see people as anything less than human beings, created by God. I will refuse to see any problem as anything less than an opportunity to see God."
Max Lucado
That brings another amazing quote to mind, "A person's a person, no matter how small."
Horton Hears a Who (Dr. Seuss)
Spread the love everyone!
Long Time No See
Yes,I know. I have been slacking on my blogging. Unfortunately, this is the time of year when my life gets kicked into overdrive and I barely have time to sleep let alone keep up with my blog. I've actually never really been any good at keeping a daily journal or log of events. For some reason I feel like there's too much pressure in trying to find the most important things to mention from the day.
Anyway, as usual, I digress from my point. I also haven't really been able to find any motivational readings or quotes since most of my time revolves around reading the required texts for school and such, but don't loose all hope just yet. In fact, just yesterday I borrowed a book from the school library entitled: Blood of Brothers (Life and War in Nicaragua) by Stephen Kinzer. As you already know (or at least I sincerely hope that you do) I have been accepted to go on an amazing service learning delegation to Nicaragua through Montclair State University and Witness For Peace. Part of the process of preparing for the visit is to not only raise the funds through community involvement, but to also become emotionally and mentally prepared. A past delegation member has highly recommended this book to all of us current members in an effort to help us understand what to expect and sort of a guide on how to approach this wonderful educational opportunity. I already know that this experience will profoundly change my life, but I'm not sure I fully realize to what extent and in what areas I will be effected.
I think this book will really open my eyes to a whole new realm of Nicaragua and America. On the back of the book there are the usual positive reviews from several media sources. The last one really caught my attention. It read, "Reads like a cloak-and-dagger thriller...A very timely warning of what can happen when America abuses its power" said by Jim Miller in Newsweek. That statement really intrigued me and made me start to wonder how often do we abuse the power that we have in our own lives? Power is a double edged sword. Although it can be used in positive ways, more often it is abused and used to somebody's advantage over somebody else. I think Abraham Lincoln sums it up the best, "Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." I hope you understand the message he's trying to convey here, because it's one of the most important ones to learn.
Anyway, as usual, I digress from my point. I also haven't really been able to find any motivational readings or quotes since most of my time revolves around reading the required texts for school and such, but don't loose all hope just yet. In fact, just yesterday I borrowed a book from the school library entitled: Blood of Brothers (Life and War in Nicaragua) by Stephen Kinzer. As you already know (or at least I sincerely hope that you do) I have been accepted to go on an amazing service learning delegation to Nicaragua through Montclair State University and Witness For Peace. Part of the process of preparing for the visit is to not only raise the funds through community involvement, but to also become emotionally and mentally prepared. A past delegation member has highly recommended this book to all of us current members in an effort to help us understand what to expect and sort of a guide on how to approach this wonderful educational opportunity. I already know that this experience will profoundly change my life, but I'm not sure I fully realize to what extent and in what areas I will be effected.
I think this book will really open my eyes to a whole new realm of Nicaragua and America. On the back of the book there are the usual positive reviews from several media sources. The last one really caught my attention. It read, "Reads like a cloak-and-dagger thriller...A very timely warning of what can happen when America abuses its power" said by Jim Miller in Newsweek. That statement really intrigued me and made me start to wonder how often do we abuse the power that we have in our own lives? Power is a double edged sword. Although it can be used in positive ways, more often it is abused and used to somebody's advantage over somebody else. I think Abraham Lincoln sums it up the best, "Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." I hope you understand the message he's trying to convey here, because it's one of the most important ones to learn.
Monday, September 6, 2010
PROJECT AK-47
Today, I'd like to introduce all of you to an organization that I was immediately drawn to. While at a music festival called Revelation Generation in Frenchtown, NJ I noticed a table setup entitled: Project AK-47. Immediately the name caught my attention and interest, because I was pretty sure that was a name of a gun and it seemed pretty out of place at a Christian venue. So, naturally I got curious and wanted to know more about this mystery table setup, so I approached the table with an open mind. When I arrived I was seriously blown away by what I found. This organization fights against (as their flyer states)"one of the cruelest forms of modern-day slavery: the exploitation of children as soldiers. We rescue and defend these children where few (if any) organizations are involved: the war zones of Southeast Asia and Latin America." I never really realized what a vast global issue child soldiers were before! Their slogan " A kid or killer" really impacted me a lot, because what a terrible life that must be for those children that had no choice, but to accept this terrible life that was chosen for them. Many of these children are orphans that were stolen, raped, striped of their clothes, names, and all of their human dignity. They are given numbers instead of names, military training, and mostly likley AK-47's to use in combat. Project AK-47's mission sounds so simple, to rescue and rehabilitate child soldiers, but the reality is much more complicated. Their professional staff negotiatates and bargains for the release of child soldiers, which are then treated with the dignity and respect that they deserve. After they are diplomatically rescued the children are immediately rehabilitated both physically and mentally. Then once they are ready they are reintergrated into their local communities. They don't remove them from their countries, because they believe that these children need to rise up to set an example for the next generation that there is hope and a real chance for lasting changes!
I STRONGLY urge all of you to muscle up the strength to not just visit their website, but to acutally make an effort to take actions to stand up against this kind of pure evil that lurks in all the dark corners of the world. These children don't deserve to be where they are and they don't deserve to be ignored, by people who can help them. Please do your part! Here's a link to their "Get Involved" page.
http://www.projectak47.com/getinvolved.aspx#divtab1
There's plenty of options. I personally bought a dogtag, so that I could use it to jump start conversations about the project. I also thought it would be a great physical reminder to remember to pray for these children. I definitely plan on becoming further involved in this organization by make more donations and perhaps having some type of fundraising event on their behalf. I hope that you become as enraged and empowered as I have become and that you will stand beside me and "fight" such worldly injustices that thwart every human's right to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happniess!" Thanks for your time and God bless.
PS: I just wanted to mention what a blessing it was to see so many various social outreach efforts that were infecting all different types of people in need in varous parts of the world! People are out there making a difference whether you believe it or not! Don't just sit around dreaming. Be a part of the change that you want to see!!!
I STRONGLY urge all of you to muscle up the strength to not just visit their website, but to acutally make an effort to take actions to stand up against this kind of pure evil that lurks in all the dark corners of the world. These children don't deserve to be where they are and they don't deserve to be ignored, by people who can help them. Please do your part! Here's a link to their "Get Involved" page.
http://www.projectak47.com/getinvolved.aspx#divtab1
There's plenty of options. I personally bought a dogtag, so that I could use it to jump start conversations about the project. I also thought it would be a great physical reminder to remember to pray for these children. I definitely plan on becoming further involved in this organization by make more donations and perhaps having some type of fundraising event on their behalf. I hope that you become as enraged and empowered as I have become and that you will stand beside me and "fight" such worldly injustices that thwart every human's right to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happniess!" Thanks for your time and God bless.
PS: I just wanted to mention what a blessing it was to see so many various social outreach efforts that were infecting all different types of people in need in varous parts of the world! People are out there making a difference whether you believe it or not! Don't just sit around dreaming. Be a part of the change that you want to see!!!
Monday, August 30, 2010
One Can Make a Difference
I went to Borders the other day. I'm one of those people that actually enjoys browsing the shelves for random books, having a large hot chai tea latte, finding a large comfy chair, and to camp out reading some of the books for an hour or so. I don't know why, but I just enjoy reading in silence amongst lots of people. That's why I just absolutely love libraries! I love the thought of being surrounded by people that are on a pursuit for knowledge. Acquiring knowledge amongst others really motivates me to strive for more. Some how I feel compelled to read more, think more, and produce better literary works. I don't know why, but when I'm around other people that are also in deep thought, I feel that I am able to absorb some of their brain power and energy. It's the silliest thought, but for some reason I feel that we can actually feed off of each others' mental energies. It may not happen in the literal sense, but then again why not? If I do actually feel smarter and work harder then aren't those physical manifestations of acquired brain power and energy? I may not actually acquire it from another's brain, but if they are the catalyst for the change, then in a way they are responsible for the change. Okay, I'm going off on a crazy tangent, but I just had to get that off my mind. Thanks!
Anyways, what I really want to focus on today is a book that I actually bought the other day during one of my weekly adventures in Borders. Somehow while on-line I came across a book entitled, "One Can Make a Difference" by Ingrid E Newkirk and Jane Ratcliffe. It is a collection of original stories and essays by people that have influenced and made important changes to different facets of the world. It includes works by: The Dalai Lama, Paul McCartney, Willie Nelson, Russell Simmons, Martina Navratilova, Ravi Shankar, Oliver Stone, etc. One of my favorite essays (so far) is from Sharon Gannon who started Jivamukti Yoga School. Here are a few quotes from her chapter:
"Now I began to realize that ideas, even great ones, were not enough to change the world or to change my own life. Whatever I wanted to see in the world around me had to first become real in my own body right down to the molecular level."
"The practices of yoga refine your perception so that you see yourself as one with the whole. As a gentle, but potent, reminder to myself to keep Alaha (means all that is) in the forefront of my mind, everyday I wake up and chant: May all be happy and free. May all beings everywhere be happy and free and may the thoughts, words, and actions of my own life contribute in some way to that happiness and to that freedom for all."
"There's power inherent in our own speech. If we say we want everyone to be happy, then we have to question everything that we do, how we live, how we eat, what we buy, how we speak. The best way to uplift our own lives is to do all we can to uplift the lives of others."
"Whatever you want in this life you can have if you first provide it for someone else. Work for the freedom of others, and you yourself will become free. Don't wait for a better world. Start now to create a world of harmony and peace. IT IS UP TO YOU. IT ALWAYS HAS BEEN!"
I hope these words encourage you as much as they have encouraged me! Please feel free to respond and post your own favorite quotes! I'd love to read them.
P.S. Anyone know of a good beginners yoga studio around the Bergen county area in Jersey?
Anyways, what I really want to focus on today is a book that I actually bought the other day during one of my weekly adventures in Borders. Somehow while on-line I came across a book entitled, "One Can Make a Difference" by Ingrid E Newkirk and Jane Ratcliffe. It is a collection of original stories and essays by people that have influenced and made important changes to different facets of the world. It includes works by: The Dalai Lama, Paul McCartney, Willie Nelson, Russell Simmons, Martina Navratilova, Ravi Shankar, Oliver Stone, etc. One of my favorite essays (so far) is from Sharon Gannon who started Jivamukti Yoga School. Here are a few quotes from her chapter:
"Now I began to realize that ideas, even great ones, were not enough to change the world or to change my own life. Whatever I wanted to see in the world around me had to first become real in my own body right down to the molecular level."
"The practices of yoga refine your perception so that you see yourself as one with the whole. As a gentle, but potent, reminder to myself to keep Alaha (means all that is) in the forefront of my mind, everyday I wake up and chant: May all be happy and free. May all beings everywhere be happy and free and may the thoughts, words, and actions of my own life contribute in some way to that happiness and to that freedom for all."
"There's power inherent in our own speech. If we say we want everyone to be happy, then we have to question everything that we do, how we live, how we eat, what we buy, how we speak. The best way to uplift our own lives is to do all we can to uplift the lives of others."
"Whatever you want in this life you can have if you first provide it for someone else. Work for the freedom of others, and you yourself will become free. Don't wait for a better world. Start now to create a world of harmony and peace. IT IS UP TO YOU. IT ALWAYS HAS BEEN!"
I hope these words encourage you as much as they have encouraged me! Please feel free to respond and post your own favorite quotes! I'd love to read them.
P.S. Anyone know of a good beginners yoga studio around the Bergen county area in Jersey?
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Our Deepest Fear...
Today has been one of the most amazingly uplifting and empowering days that I have ever experienced. Every where I turned today I came into contact with something profoundly encouraging and inspirational. I'd like to offer you the same privilege now...
Have you ever seen the movie Coach Carter? I never did, but I ran into this one part of the movie on YouTube that quotes Marianne Williamson's "Our Deepest Fear." I seriously have no further words to share on the subject, other than the actual quote. You'll understand what I mean after you've read it!
Our Deepest Fear
By, Marianne Williamson
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness
That most frightens us.
We ask ourselves
Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.
Your playing small
Does not serve the world.
There's nothing enlightened about shrinking
So that other people won't feel insecure around you.
We are all meant to shine,
As children do.
We were born to make manifest
The glory of God that is within us.
It's not just in some of us;
It's in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine,
We unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we're liberated from our own fear,
Our presence automatically liberates others.
Have you ever seen the movie Coach Carter? I never did, but I ran into this one part of the movie on YouTube that quotes Marianne Williamson's "Our Deepest Fear." I seriously have no further words to share on the subject, other than the actual quote. You'll understand what I mean after you've read it!
Our Deepest Fear
By, Marianne Williamson
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness
That most frightens us.
We ask ourselves
Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.
Your playing small
Does not serve the world.
There's nothing enlightened about shrinking
So that other people won't feel insecure around you.
We are all meant to shine,
As children do.
We were born to make manifest
The glory of God that is within us.
It's not just in some of us;
It's in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine,
We unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we're liberated from our own fear,
Our presence automatically liberates others.
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