Tag Archives: Diversity

October 21, 2013 · 1:49 pm

A Beautiful Moment

Family…

What do you see here? A family portrait? Love? Two beautiful, strong women and their amazing children? That’s what I see too. This portrait adorns the living room of Beth and Carolyn. It represents a family wrapped in love, a family with ups and downs, a family with rich traditions and a family that until this past Friday October 18, 2013…didn’t have complete, legal recognition. That last, ridiculous little tidbit of information, became exiled into history when Beth, Carolyn, their two children Trystin and Taylor, and about 10 of their closest family and friends walked into the Vista County Assessor’s office and got married!! Continue reading →

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Tagged as Communication, Community, Connection, Convening, Courage, Diversity, Family, Friendship, Hope, Humanity, Inclusion, Invitation, Kindness, Learning, Love, Mutuality, Nurturing, Reflection, Relationships, Storytelling, Wholeheartedness

October 7, 2013 · 6:00 am

Creative connections…

A while back, a friend of mine living in New York City, posted a link to this project on his FaceBook page. I remember being blown away with the idea, but having no time to really digest it. I immediately bookmarked it and have recently taken a look back at what caught my attention so significantly at first glance.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFXp0TG8pco Continue reading →

Checking in…

Well, I observed, observed, observed, as promised. So, here are some early reflections on my two weeks of pondering setting up a community feast in Ratho…

1. People are kind. I actually already knew this (clever me, eh?!) but it really is starker when you are nervous about something and everyone is supportive and lovely about it. Messages of support came via Facebook, from friends in the village, and in the response of the local Community Development Worker. Continue reading →

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Tagged as Co-operation, Community, Connection, Convening, Courage, Diversity, Family, Friendship, Hospitality, Humanity, Inclusion, Invitation, Kindness, Learning, Neighbours, Vulnerability, Welcome

July 29, 2013 · 6:36 am

Table for one at the Gratitude Cafe…

Highway 101 just outside Santa Barbara…

Driving down Highway 101 from Santa Barbara to San Diego early Sunday morning, along the familiar coastline I’ve traveled seemingly all my life, a line from Jason Mraz passes through the speakers in the car: “I keep my life on a heavy rotation, requesting that it’s lifting you up, up, up and away…and over to a table at the Gratitude Cafe.” This analogy of placing yourself into a metaphorical space to be mindful of your gratitude for life, resonates deeply. Continue reading →

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Tagged as Community, Connection, Convening, Diversity, Family, Friendship, Gifts, Gifts Hospitality, Hope, Humanity, Inclusion, Interdependence, Invitation, Kindness, Love, Neighbors, People Power, Storytelling, Welcome, Wholeheartedness

July 8, 2013 · 6:00 am

The Gathering…

Stone Soup

I’m blessed to have happened across a global community of colleagues, friends and loved ones 4 years ago at the Toronto Summer Institute. This year, along with Chris Lee, Sheldon Schwitek, Peter Leidy, Beth Gallagher, Michelle Schwartz Continue reading →

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Tagged as Co-operation, Community, Connection, Convening, Diversity, Friendship, Gifts, Gifts Hospitality, Hope, Humanity, Inclusion, Interdependence, Invitation, Kindness, Love, Mutuality, People Power, Storytelling, Welcome, Wholeheartedness

June 10, 2013 · 6:00 am

Sometimes it sneaks up on you…

Families gather…

On Monday of last week, my family attended the end of the year St. Mark’s Pre School family gathering. Upon arriving at the park, we set out our blanket and briskly followed our kids to the adjacent playground for a quick swing session. Minutes passed and the sea of children and families swelled. Familiar faces all around, as this is our third year of sending at least one of our kids to the pre school. New faces appeared throughout the evening, depending on the tide. Continue reading →

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Tagged as Co-operation, Community, Connection, Convening, Diversity, Family, Friendship, Hospitality, Interdependence, Kindness, Learning, Love, Mutuality, Neighbors, Reciprocity, Reflection, Relationships, Welcome, Wholeheartedness

June 3, 2013 · 6:00 am

In Order to Change the Community, We Must Change the Soil

This week we’ve linked in a TED Talk given by Ron Finley. Ron Finley is an activist in South Central Los Angeles. He started an organization comprised of volunteers that plant gardens in vacant lots across South Central Los Angeles. His passion rests in educating kids and community members about food and a healthy way of eating. His philosophy is beautiful, simple, real and impactful. Take the time to watch this ten minute talk. Have a great week everyone!

A beautiful story of recognition…

Last night, Jody and I sat down and watched the next movie in our Netflix envelope. We often don’t know what it is, though we set the list ourselves, it is usually a surprise which title arrives. The movie was “Searching For Sugar Man”, a film recommended to me by a friend who viewed it at a film festival. Over the course of the next 90 minutes an evolution of emotions rolled over me like a Zamboni smoothing the ice of a hockey arena. This story set me at peace. Continue reading →

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Tagged as Co-operative, Community, Connection, Diversity, Gifts, Gifts Hospitality, Interdependence, Invitation, Learning, Love, People Power, Reflection, Storytelling, Welcoming, Wholeheartedness

May 6, 2013 · 6:00 am

“From Below, Not Above”

Before we introduce this week’s blog link, we have AMAZING news! Co-author and co-creator of this here blog, Linda Keys, along with her partner Alan MacFarlane, welcomed their son Findlay into the world on Saturday evening, May 4. In a text she wrote, “Our beautiful wonderful son Findlay Keys MacFarlane, was born last night, May 4 at 8:21pm at home in water. Weight 8 lbs, 11 ounces. It was the most perfect home birth I could have ever imagined. His transition to the outside world was gentle and calm. Auntie Jenny made it here in time. We are all incredibly well and happy.” Congratulations Linda and Alan on the birth of Findlay!! Findlay is blessed to have you as parents! Now on with the show…

This week we are honored to provide you with a link to a dear friend’s blog, April Doner. Continue reading →

Imagination creates beauty…

A friend, and recent guest blogger, Chris Lee, recently shared this video about a project coordinated by Christina MacLeod. She organized a group of community members to transform a “dull and lifeless street, into a public place that encourages activity, community and health.” It is a beautiful piece about a beautiful idea. Take the time to watch this 6 minute video. Be well friends!

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Tagged as Co-operation, Co-operative, Community, Connection, Convening, Diversity, Friendship, Gifts, Hope, Hospitality, Inclusion, Interdependence, Invitation, Kindness, Learning, Love, Mutuality, Neighbors, People Power, Reciprocity, Relationships, Welcome, Wholeheartedness

Tag Archives: Diversity

A Beautiful Moment

Creative connections…

Checking in…

Table for one at the Gratitude Cafe…

The Gathering…

Sometimes it sneaks up on you…

In Order to Change the Community, We Must Change the Soil

A beautiful story of recognition…

“From Below, Not Above”

Imagination creates beauty…

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