We can become aware...

I'm hoping 2014 is the year of awareness.

We can become aware that we can vote with our money and shop at stores that actually care about their employees (fair wages and benefits), where their products come from (fair trade), and how safe the products are for us.

We can become aware that we are beautiful regardless of how ugly the media, fashion world, and diet companies want us to feel for their own greed, and we can vote with our money again and say enough of this body/mental image abuse. 

We can become aware that the food we put into our mouths can make us healthy or make us sick, it is our choice. 

We can be aware that our differences on the outside are less than 1% of our DNA and that our more than 99% similarities are what matters most.

We can become aware that if our country (our world) is truly to be free, as long as the choices of others do not hurt us personally where we can continue to live our own lives as we wish, it is freedom that allows other people to choose their own direction for happiness, just as this same freedom allows us to choose our own direction for happiness. Call it a "No Judgement Day." 

We can become aware that our actions on this earth can either harm or nurture the earth. Many of us have felt the wrath of global weirding this year. 

We can become aware that spending all the resources on war is only going to produce more war and bankrupt countries and the people of countries. What you focus on is what you get. Let's focus on peace. 

Our resources, time, money, energy, thoughts, actions, can be spent making the world a better place for all, not just for the few that want to control all. 

Yes, I'm hoping 2014 is the year of awareness, and that we become aware that we have the power to do something to create a positive outcome (instead of all the 2013 crap we went through). 

Happy New Year!

Heightening awareness

I am encouraged to see the heightened awareness that is happening.  I can't wait to see more!

We can no longer stay asleep to what is happening behind the scenes.  There are shiny looking corporations that are treating their employees badly and forcing their suppliers to work overseas.  There are governments that do not have the best interests for their people and instead cater to their own greed of power and money.   There are decisions being made everyday that are supporting this careless behavior, but it is getting better.

Why does it take a disaster to wake us up to human kindness again?  Can't we function this way everyday in every day life?

This means that we take more care in where we purchase from and who we back for a government seat.

With awareness, the hypocrisy will stop.  All the shiny objects that have been diverting our attention will be seen for what they really are, a big front that was paid for by big money, instead of doing the right thing in the first place.

I definitely see a shift happening when certain generations take over or start companies on the right foot and remain steady on their course.  Allowing employees to share in the wealth and buying from companies that supply American and/or Fair Trade jobs.

So, how can you heighten your awareness?  Keep your eyes open and start researching before you buy, and then purchase from companies and elect officials that truly care about others (instead of just themselves).

I don't care what side of the fence you are on politically.  Humans are in trouble everywhere when we do not love thy neighbor and help our fellow man.  We can turn this around whenever we want to.  It's our choice!

-SDF

The power to change

This morning someone said to me something that I interpreted as mean.  They said, "You think you have the power to change people, but you don't!"

I instantly became upset.  This statement hit me to the core.  I always thought my mission, my life's purpose was to be a change agent, someone that helps people change for the better.

At first my thought was if I don't have the power than why am I alive?  I should just die.

I had to take time out to think about this.  I have created my life to be in a position that is available to help people and an industry change to what I feel would be a more positive path.

I came to a conclusion that people do have the power to change other's lives, if we let them.  It can be our choice to go with the change or not.  Also, not doing anything can allow others to create changes, good and bad.  Just look at our political system.  People in political power change our lives, sometimes in horrible ways, especially if we remain silent.

I also realize that sometimes people are afraid of change, so they do nothing, only to find that change is happening all around them without their consent.  Change will happen.  Change is the only constant.

As someone who feels they are here to help bring positive change, I know I may not be able to help people directly, but I can help people indirectly.  In this way, we all have the power to help bring about change and help change people's lives in positive ways.

The best scenario is if we choose to change in a positive way and ultimately have the power to see a positive change through, despite any fear we may have to move forward in a new direction.  

In the end,  that person's statement is true and false.  It has to be.  Otherwise, we would all be powerless in this world to make a difference.

-SDF

Education for adults with experience?

I'm finding myself in a situation that is rather uncomfortable.  I have the desire to continue my education, but I seem to be a round peg trying to fit into a square hole.  I am the adult with years of experience looking for the right Master's degree program.

Currently I have over 20+ years of experiences in the realm of arts administration.  I signed up for a qualifying course in an arts administration program, and I was bored.  I felt like it was a waste of time and money, and my fellow students kept commenting, "Boy, you really know what you are talking about!"

The course was about perspectives on art.  What is art?  We had to find good examples such as articles for various views on art and comment about our findings.  I do this type of work almost everyday, and have been doing this frequency for about 6 years.  If you follow me on Twitter, you know what I mean.  I post ARTicles for my fellow colleagues to read and learn from and to start discussions on these types of topics.

The point to this rambling is, there seems to be no educational options for the adult learner who already has experience.  If I want the "title," then I either have to waste the time and money or in some cases pay for credits that represent my experience.  Yes, there are a few schools that will evaluate your experiences and allow you to pay a certain amount for a certain number of credits.  Pay for my experiences which I already paid for through hard work?  Seems ridiculous to me!

I have seen a few build your own degrees, which are attractive to me, yet, they are few and far between and many are not online, and some are not offering Masters degrees.

So, what am I to do?  I fell upon a few articles for "creating your own private degree."  There is a small movement where people design their own "degrees" and find the books, online courses, and continuing education classes to form their own personal degree.  Some of these posts even suggest that learning in this fashion could be the wave of the future.  After all, when you think about it, the degrees and stamp of approval from institutions are simply creations of people.  Couldn't I read the same books and write my own papers and get peer reviewed approval?  In this world of social media sharing, many of us are doing this to some extent.

Don't get me wrong, I view education as extremely important and something to value.  However, who is to say you are an expert simply based on a program of someone else's creation?  Couldn't someone create their own path of learning and becoming equally expert?  There are many people in this world that do not have a college education, but they have learned what they needed to know and took this type of education into the real world for real life experiences.  Some have built empires, and some have written books.  Society values this type of entrepreneurial spirit too!

It has been a constant roller coaster thinking about getting a Master's degree.  I do not fit neatly into the box that the majority of educational institutions have designed.  I guess I will keep looking for a program that values my experience and allows me to design my own future.  If you have any suggestions, please do reply and let me know.  And, if the right program is not out there, perhaps designing my own private degree is the way to go. 

Thoughts?  

-Shoshana

Day 29 - 29 Gifts Complete!

Well, it is not all bells, whistles, streamers, etc, but I did finish the 29 Gifts challenge.  For the last day, I ended up making dinner when I was going out with my handy dandy crock pot.  What a surprise to have dinner ready when he got home! 

Today I am listening to Star Trek, The Next Generation.  I am a proud TNG fan, and the music for this series was incredible!

Now that the 29 days are over, I am considering a new and different challenge.  Perhaps a month of gratitude.  Or, maybe a month of movies. 

Any suggestions?  :O)

Happy gifting and thank you for the company on this special 29 day journey!

Day 24 - 28 of 29 Gifts, May 18 - 22

Wow, tomorrow is the last day.  I will save that to be a post all its own.  Here is the next few days for me on my 29 Gifts journey:

 Day 23, May 17: I changed my gift to be offering to drive during a hectic time.  He needed to relax so I gave him the gift of being able to stare out the window, look at his iPhone and relax after a really tough day.

Day 24, May 18: A morning bike ride!  I don't bike ride with him as often as he wants, so this morning, we went on a ride that we both would enjoy.  I had a good time too.

Day 25, May 19: Time with my mom and sister on a conference call.  It is good to give time to family, especially when so far away.  I also gave a book to another book club member that I thought she would enjoy.

Day 26, May 20:  This was the one day I gave to myself.  A day to myself, retreat like, and much needed, but I also gave my cats tons of my time too.   

Day 27, May 21: A donation to the Red Cross to help the people in Oklahoma; I only gave $10, but every little bit helps.

Day 28, May 22:  Today I purchased my last punch on one of my coffee cards and then gave it to the person at the counter to give to the next person in line for a free drink. 

I am listening to Marcus Roberts Portraits in Blue.  This is a fantastic jazz snapshot of Gershwin with touches of his own personality. 

Happy Giving, and time to celebrate tomorrow!

Day 17 - 23 (May 11-17): Catch up time

I have been missing in action for posting, but I have been continuing to gift for the 29 Gifts month.  Here is the complete catch up.

Day 17: Mother's Day Gift received.  I sent my mom a gift on Wednesday, but wanted to count it when it was received.  Today she called and left a message that she loved her 2 gifts!


Day 18:  1 hour of uncomplicated conversation with my mom.  Despite having an interesting, complicated time in my life right now, I decided not to talk about me and spent the hour focused completely on her and shooting the breeze about anything and everything.  We laughed and had a great time.  Cherish the moments!


Day 19:  Email to a friend in need.  I found out that my friend is still having thoughts about his wife having cancer, even though she is in remission.  I sent a message acknowledging how he feels and letting him know that it is okay to own his feelings and to cherish each moment with her.  We never know when someone will be taken from us.  The gift of the present moment is all that matters.

Day 20: A few more promotional posts to help others.


Day 21:  Gift to my sister for a coffee gift card.  She is having a challenging time and mentioned that she is not sure she can even afford the luxury of her morning cup of coffee she so enjoys each morning.  I hope the 5 coffees on me will help a bit to lift her spirits.


Day 22: Compromise for television night.  We both wanted to watch something, so I gave the gift of compromise instead of simply leaving or being stubborn.  We had a nice evening together.

I also gave the gift of letting someone go ahead of me in line at the grocery store.  He was an unassuming man.  He was only buying milk.  He was very surprised and had a great smile.

Day 23: Today I am going to go to my favorite coffee shop and get the last punch in my coffee card, and then, I will give the gift of my one free coffee after 10 purchases to someone else.  If I see a friend, I will give it to them.  If not, I will tell the person to gift the next person in line. I hope they will be okay with transferring the card to someone else.


I am listening to a CD I recently purchased.  I am getting into World Music via the lable Real World, which is Peter Gabriel's label.  Shelia Chandra's  The Zen Kiss is the CD of the moment.  It is all vocal chants and/or prayers and/or stories.  Exactly what I need to listen to today.