This morning Grandmother Pa'Ris'Ha sent me the link to the Cirque from Space Save the Water movie. As I sat at the river doing my meditation with the hawk and the warmth of the sun, I was overwhelmed with the sense that we are coming to critical mass and really are winning the war over the Guardianship of the Earth Mother. For 20 years I have worked side by side with the people in this organization, stretching and growing with every breath moving past so much resistance to enlightened education. A few of the programs are how the ancient ceremonies were based on quantum physics principles, how our youth should be honored, nurtured and recognized as the hope of the world, what it is to be a caretaker, how to develop and manage your own business and do it all whi, with all life. I looked at the river this morning and realized with joy that what this organization offers through their programs in their beautiful locations - is HOPE. By being a volunteer of this center I have learned what it is to be a better HUMAN BEING and the responsibilities we carry.
I have been volunteering for this organization since 1989. That is a long time! And some of my favorite experiences have centered on seeing a real difference that we have made in someone's life. I want to share the following story to illustrate how important children and their well-being are to our organization. This took place in Cleveland Ohio, 20 years ago in 1991. We had been invited to do a presentation at a local public school for over 100 children in Grades 4 and 5. Prior to the workshop, the school organizer had warned us that the children had a very limited attention span and apologized for their disruptive behavior, in advance. Well, armed with rattles, drums, and dance sticks, we smiled and met these wonderfully energetic and boisterous kids. The rhythmic pattern of the rattles and the drums enchanted the boys and girls who got up and flew like the eagle and roared like the bear. They all sang the Children of Happiness song and so most of the undisciplined energy that had no where to go got used up and schooled into productivity. Then, we started with the exercise that all the teachers said was impossible. A traditional "game" called "Niki Ki Hi" - a training in teamwork and responsibility. All the children were lined up in 10 rows of 10 and given a dance stick. The object of the game is to pass the stick to the person either in front or behind you without dropping it - and without looking. You are only successful when the person you are passing it to has a firm grasp. This teaches children coordination and the importance of passing only a good and final product to another, eliminating cheating, gossip, and irresponsibility, as well as of course, training eye hand coordination and dexterity. The children all sing "Nikki Ki" - and then on "Hi", pass the stick. there are many variations to increase the challenges. I have seen total chaos erupt with adults, but within minutes, the entire gymnasium was filled with the young voices singing in unison. Their movements flowed in harmony with each other and there was not one dropped stick or flared emotion in over 20 minutes. The teachers were shocked. The children were empowered and it was a very good day.
I went to one of the Center's workshop about the brain and how we are chemically addicted to our emotions. I learned so much about myself in only one hour. It really makes a difference now on how I look or experience my thoughts. I know that I can change it and that it makes a difference on my body's chemical reaction. Their workshops are so helpful!
A group of volunteers prepared each a box, filled with all kinds of good things (sandwhiches, soaps, shampoos, candies, a nice personalized note etc.) to give to the homeless. It was a cold day in late Autumn. We then went in the closest big city and went under bridges looking for homeless people. We found quite a bit of them and then presented ourselves letting them know that we were with the Center for Human Development (LCFHD) and that we came to bring them some sandwhiches and goodies. They greeted us nicely and sensed our love and non judgement. This was a very enriching experience and we were all touched, the homeless people and the volunteers. This is the kind of thing that LCFHD does for people. We give and we educate in order to help people help themselves.