The Christmas season is a great time of love, joy, and peace. It is a special time. Gratitude and giving are present all-around.
I love this time of year. Even when I had little, and there were many reasons for despair, it seemed easier to me, to think of the good, to think of what I was grateful for. I hope that all can find the joy of gratitude and giving this month, and this coming year.
Dan Drew
Michael Bernard Beckwith is joining with others on 11.11.11 to create a movement called PeaceLink. He has a great gift for words, and a great energy of good about him. I like what he is doing. I applaud his efforts. The PeaceLink movement desires to accomplish a great good in this world.
It’s a number of people coming together to create a vibration and coherence all around the world in which individuals will stop and celebrate the infinite possibilities that lie within each and every one of us as spiritual beings and the human incarnation. There’s so much attention being portrayed in the mass media which is disruptive, that shows parts of society which have fallen apart. Yet all at the same time there’s a whole pattern of energy emerging so peacefully, brought about by individuals that are sending out a call to place our attention on that which is seeking to emerge in us, in the human family, and to come together and articulate that—to feel that, to express that, to celebrate that, and to anchor that on the planet on this particular day. We will have an array of artists, speakers, visual artists, dancers, singers, and we will come together and adopt the highest for our planet and reach out to other places [cities] and release that powerful work and joy.
This whole interview is worth reading. Michael Bernard Beckwith does much good, desires to do more, and has a strength of leadership that will lead many to do much more, to contribute, to help out, to make our world a better place.
I desire to work with Michael in The Seven Steps Foundation. He could add much to making it better, to helping it reach the people of this world, and to help it do the great good that it can and will do. I believe in the Seven Steps. I desire all to know about them, to learn from them, to apply them in their lives.
I send my support for the good that PeaceLink is doing, and will do. May others unite in bringing the peace that is so desperately needed in this world.
Source: “PeaceLink 11.11.11, An Interview With Micheal Beckwith,” Vision Magazine, Nov. 2011
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Agape International Spiritual Center
Edward James Olmos gave a landmark speech on Tuesday 20 Sep 11, in Pueblo, Colorado. I wish I had been there. I would love to see a video of the speech, and the text. I hope they are available. We are one family on this earth. There is only one race, the human race. When we divide ourselves into parts (sub-races), or create new “races,” then the troubles begin.
“There is only one race and that’s the human race. We use the word ‘race’ to define culture but in actuality, there is only one race….
The word race is a unifying word but we have used it to be a divisive word…. We wanted to be able to kill one another easier. As soon as we had different races, then you could kill….
We are all related but we act as if we are all so different. We should stop using race as a cultural division…. We are the most diverse country on the planet but we say that only European studies deserve to be taught. You know what, you pressed the wrong button because that is what has led all of us to this day. Not being able to accept ourselves for being human beings first….
If we only teach them [Latinos] that they are Latin and that’s the culture that’s in them, you lose… You start with Africa, you bring in Asia. You work the indigenous in and the Caucasian and European. You put them all in there and you say that you are all people….
We are all one race. Never forget it.”
I am very impressed and moved by what Edward is saying. I believe this in the depths of my soul. We are all family. We are all children of God. We all have infinite worth. I am committed to accept and treat all as my brothers and sisters.
Thank you Edward James Olmos for your leadership, vision, and goodness. I am with you.
Source: “Olmos stresses message of unity,” Pueblo Chieftain, 9/21/11
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Edward James Olmos gave a speech on Tuesday 20 Sep 11, titled, “We’re All in the Same Gang,” The title alone speaks volumes. We are all in the same gang. We need to look after each other, help out, love. Life is about love. Edward does much to encourage others to choose good, and to stay away from the awfulness of today’s gangs.
Besides acting, Olmos is an influential activist and advocate in the Hispanic community. Many of his causes revolve around youth and their problems, including violence and gangs.
He frequently speaks to youth groups, particularly at-risk youth, about making the right choices in life, the importance of education and the risks of being involved in gangs.
Olmos has been the U.S. Goodwill Ambassador to the United Nations Children’s Fund.
He is the executive director of the Lives of Hazard Project, a national gang-prevention program funded by the U.S. Department of Justice.
I believe that we are all in the same gang. I believe that all on earth are children of God. I desire to treat all as family, to love all as my own. I desire to encourage those affected by gangs to consider a better path, to have the strength to choose what is right, no matter the consequences. The Seven Steps Foundation can do much to help in this endeavor.
Thank you Edward for all the good you do. May good things continue to come into your life. May you continue to be a great influence for good on others.
Source: “Olmos to speak: ‘We’re All in the Same Gang,’” Pueblo Chieftain, 9/19/11
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Oprah Winfrey’s live online Facebook interview was quite engaging. My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed it (you can watch the recording on Facebook.) Oprah talked about her goal to help everyone become the highest and fullest expression of themselves. She shared that having a greater purpose, and knowing the bigger picture, helps her get through the difficulties and challenges. I believe in that. I know that the challenges and obstacles that keep piling on me can be overcome. I found it interesting that she encourages her employees to meditate, or to have a “quiet time,” twice each day, saying, “God lives in the space of stillness.”
I remember a specific moment, watching my grandmother hang the clothes on the line, and her saying to me, “you are going to have to learn to do this,” and me being in that space of awareness and knowing that my life would not be the same as my grandmother’s life. All of us have that space where we are willing to get still because the world will try to tell you everything about yourself and we have so many voices in our heads and in our Facebook pages telling us everything, but to know really what to do and how to be guided in your life you have to go to that space where the bigger you, the greater you, resides.
It appears that OWN, and other Oprah platforms, are committed to spreading light, truth, and inspiration. I hope that fun and laughter are included in the mix. Her desire to teach, encourage, and inspire are admirable. I desire to be the highest and fullest self that I can be. I am moving in that direction. I plan to keep track of what Oprah has to offer. I look forward to working with Oprah and OWN on a few new projects.
Source: “Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook COO, Interviews Oprah Winfrey Live Online,” Huffington Post, 9/9/11
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Michael Bernard Beckwith recently talked about the importance of example, of living what you believe, of loving, and being fully present in the moment. The influence that a grandparent has on their kids and grandkids is great. Life and belief (religion) is about doing.
“Religion is sort of what you do. And children watch you,” Michael says. “Our grandkids watch what we eat [a healthy vegan diet]. They watch us with their parents. They watch us being in spiritual community, being of service to others, being generous and kind.”…
Michael explains how kids have “one kind of conversation with their parents” – about school, chores, activities, time to go to bed and the like. “But as a grandparent, you get to have a much wider conversation. You get to talk about life,” he says. “You can ask certain questions about the kind of person they want to become or the contribution they want to make to the world, and it leads to other questions.” Those are the kinds of conversations Michael had with his own grandfather, and they “still resonate” with him.
The most important thing, this loving couple agrees, is to spend time with their grandkids, to be fully present in the moment, and to enjoy them.
I love being a grandparent. I love my grandkids. I hope the best for all of them. I desire to be a good, loving influence and example for them. Thank you Michael and Rickie for your words of wisdom, and good examples.
Step 1, of the Seven Steps, is all about choosing good, love, being a good example, and being grateful. I believe in the Seven Steps. They have done much for my life. They are true and good principles that have stood the test of time for millennia. I encourage all to learn and live them.
Source: “Love Is As Love Does,” GrandMagazine.com
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I love to hear about dreams coming true, and about those that keep trying. I believe success comes when we try, try, try, and never give up. It sounds like the Robinson family is making great headway in living their dreams.
When Robbie Montgomery – one of the original back-up singers for 1960s soul duo sensation Ike and Tina Turner – toured with the band, she poured her creative gifts into her cooking as much as her singing. After the singing stopped, Robbie took her mother’s soul food recipes, passed down through generations, and created the empire known as “Sweetie Pie’s,” St. Louis’ iconic and wildly popular soul food restaurant run by Robbie and her dynamic family. With two successful locations, Miss Robbie is upping the ante and preparing to open a third restaurant with the help of her son and business partner, Tim. While Tim and his girlfriend, Jenae, also prepare for the birth of their first child – and their wedding – Miss Robbie, who has never been married, continues to look for love at the age of 71. Welcome to Sweetie Pie’s follows the loud, loving and still very musical Montgomery family as they struggle with the demands of expanding their family-owned business, one soulful dish at a time.
A great part of the Seven Steps is fun and laughter. I can see a lot of that happening in this TV series. The ups and downs of life, real life, is always great to see. I hope they learn and grow into all their dreams.
Source: “Say What??? OWN To Premiere A Black Show On The Network,” indieWIRE Blog Network, 8/20/11
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Oprah Winfrey has begun at the helm of the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN). She is excited and determined. I expect her talents to shine through, reach all those she works with, and touch the lives of many throughout the world. Oprah Winfrey is a great leader. I like what she does. Women of the world love her, follow her; even some of the men. In her recent Facebook entry, and email newsletter, she talked about OWN’s new motto, “The next right decision.”
Lorne Michaels, master creator/producer told me months ago, “it won’t start to come together until you’re there.”…
My experience is a network, yours is whatever is calling you right now.
Get clarity. Don’t allow yourself to be overwhelmed. Don’t be defeated by mistakes. Learn from them.
We have a new motto…”The next right decision”…what is it?
I can tell you this, Oprah Winfrey, one of “the next right decisions” will be working with The Seven Steps Foundation. Together we can accomplish great things in this world. Apart, we cannot.
Source: “Oprah ponders ‘the next right decision,” USA Today, 8/1/11
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