15 and Shooting for More
Whole
Life Network Release
It's
been fifteen years since Rebecca Lindsay signed the articles of incorporation
that launched The Whole Life Network. Rebecca and eleven other like-minded
spirits served on the original 1988 Board of Directors. Wouldn't it be
fascinating to know their dreams, goals and visions of the future for their
fledgling network? Did Rebecca Lindsay foresee a robust, active membership that
spreads literally from California to Massachusetts and from Texas to South
Dakota? We wonder if Don Bailey envisioned serving for four terms as President?
In that first year, do you think that Dr. Bettye Hooley of Morningstar
Veterinary Clinic realized that one day she and others would advertise their
businesses in our monthly newsletter, Connections?
The answers to these questions and much more early history of The
Whole Life Network can be found in the "How It Started" series of
articles which have been reprinted, due to popular demand, in this issue
beginning on page 5. You'll find these essays filled with devotion and passion
that generated the impetus for creating our unique network. We have also done
some research to create an Honor Roll of officers who have given so much time
and energy. You won't want to miss a word. (NOTE: Please see previous issues of the Connections for these stories, beginning with January 2004.)
Now
it's 2004 and all who have ever been associated with or supported The Whole
Life Network have true cause for remembering and celebrating our heritage. So,
let's have a party! Let's get together to show the community our pride in
fifteen years of accomplishment. Let's come to the Red Arrow Best Western on
Saturday, October 23rd at 6:00 P.M. David and Tamara Hauze will be there to
entertain us with talented voices and instrumentation. We'll have door prizes,
a silent auction, a great Chinese dinner provided by the Grandview Palace,
speeches, reminiscing that brings tears of joy, and love for one another. It
doesn't matter that you haven't attended a Board meeting in years. If you were
a volunteer for our network, we want to recognize your contribution. Set aside
Saturday night the 23rd right now. Turn to page two where you will find an
order form for tickets to the 15th Anniversary bash. The entire evening out is
only $15 per person if you order your tickets right now. Have a Blessed Fall
and we'll see you at the Banquet.
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Wednesday Night Wisdom
Whole
Life Network Release
If you
didn't get out to the Wednesday Night Wisdom speaker series sponsored by The
Whole Life Network during September, you missed out on some fantastic FREE
entertainment and educational opportunities. Here are the featured presenters
and their topics for October:
At Whole Life Network Office - 307 E. Main St., Suite No. 3,
Montrose
Wednesday -
October 13th at 6:00 P.M. Anna Collins PDHom(UK) - CLASSICAL
HOMEOPATHY
The
success you may be getting from homeopathic remedies you purchase in health
food stores is just the tip of the iceberg of what homeopathy can offer
you. Anna will present an overview of this 200 year old safe and
effective approach to health and well being....giving you insight into the
enormous possibilities it offers for improving your overall health. Anna Collins is a Classical Homeopath practicing in
Paonia. She completed the three year academic program offered by the
Connecticut branch of the School of Homeopathy, Devon, England, as well as a 16
month clinical supervision. She has studied with internationally known
leaders in homeopathy such as Dr. Rajan Sankaran, Jan Scholten, Misha Norland
and Janet Snowden. She is currently in process of achieving national
certification in Classical Homeopathy.
At Whole Life Network Office - 307 E. Main St., Suite No. 3,
Montrose
Wednesday -
October 27th at 6:00 P.M. Carla
Blowey - Dreams: A Blessing in
Disguise
Carla Blowey, bereaved mother and author of Dreaming Kevin: The Path To Healing
shares her inspiring testimony of the healing power of dreams in
reconciling the death of her five-year-old son, Kevin. In her program, Dreams: A Blessing in Disguise, Carla
invites anyone grieving the death of a loved one to recognize their dreams as a
valuable tool for healing. Dreams often mirror our grief journeys with symbols,
metaphors, and memories pointing to issues and hidden agendas blocking the path
to reconciliation. In the first hour of the program, Carla will share excerpts
from her book to illustrate the guidance, wisdom, and healing offered to her by
the Holy Spirit. There will be ample time in the second hour for questions,
sharing, and insights.
In an
attempt to make our free presentations available
to more and more individuals, we have changed the night of the presentations
from Friday to Wednesday, thus it is Wednesday Night Wisdom. These
programs are held at the Whole Life Network office. A new policy will be
in effect for all of the events. We are asking that all attendees at
Wednesday Night Wisdom bring a donation of a non-perishable food. Your
donation will be forwarded to Mission Charities of Montrose. For the
Wednesday night programs, we have scheduled a great lineup of subjects for you
to explore with our volunteer presenters. Bring a neighbor or friend. Come
early and browse among our library. Visit with your friends and fellow members
of The Whole Life Network. In this network, you won't be a stranger for long.
Do you
have a subject on which you want to be heard? We plan to schedule one of these
free-to-the-public presentations every other week all year long. To have a date
reserved for you, just call Jody at 240-0234. For a great evening out, come to
the Wednesday Night Wisdom series.
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The Whole Life Network to co-sponsor naturalist, author and
activist, Terry Tempest Williams.
Whole
Life Network Release
The
Whole Life Network is again co-sponsoring an upcoming event with the Western
Colorado Congress. Their 24th annual meeting is on October 9th
and will include a keynote speech from Terry Tempest Williams best known for
her book entitled “Refuge: An Unnatural History of Family and Place.” Richard
Grossman, co-founder of Program on Corporation, Law and Democracy, will speak
on the loss of democracy to corporate power and what we can do about it.
The
theme for the annual meeting is “The Open Space of Democracy” and also is the
title of Williams’ new book. Williams is a passionate advocate for the
preservation of the environment and that passion certainly fits in with the
WLN’s commitment as well.
When
Paul Chubbuck again proposed this co-sponsorship to President Kim E. Davis, she
immediately agreed to have the WLN participate. Davis said this venture is even
more important than the Nakai Quartet concert in that not only is the
preservation and sacredness to our environment our decree, but our duty as
human beings as well.
This
event for the WCC is a fundraiser and begins at 9 am Saturday October 9th
and the Montrose Pavilion. Richard Grossman’s speech is at 1:30 and tickets are
$10.00. Williams is scheduled to speak at 4 pm and the tickets for that are
$20.00. For more information or to purchase tickets please contact the Western
Colorado Congress at 970-249-1978.
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2nd Annual – Beaming Bioneers Conference
Whole
Life Network Release
Thanks to the organizational
efforts and the determination of a trio of Telluride feminine
environmentalists, the 15th annual Bioneers Conference again be simulcast by
satellite into the San Juans. Elisabeth Gick of Ah Haa School for the Arts,
Betsy McKinney of ReStore Our World, and Joan May of Sheep Mountain Alliance,
are to be congratulated for once again providing the locals with the
opportunity to participate in this inspirational annual event. Just how
fortunate are we? Consider this. If you aren't in San Rafael, California to
attend the Bioneers Conference in person, there are only 15 other sites
nationally that will host the simulcast activities. And the cost of the local
beamed version of the Bioneers is very reasonable, $15/day or $40 for the weekend.
Whole Life Network Business Member, Maggie Remington, was in California last
October and attended the Bioneers Conference. Her recollection is that the 3
day weekend cost just slightly less than $300.
As everyone in the environmental
restoration world knows, Bioneers are biological pioneers, those working with
nature to heal nature and ourselves. Their web site (www.bioneers.org) says,
"Above all, Bioneers represent a culture of solutions. Their stories
demonstrate that just as people have created the environmental and social
problem we face, people can solve them - through a reciprocal partnership with
nature." Sounds like a group that we should all support! So mark this date
and tell a friend: October 15 - 17 in Telluride at the Sheridan Opera House. The
featured live presenter will be Anna Lappe, best selling author of Hope's Edge.
For more information, go to www.ahhaa.org/outloud or call Joan 970 728-3729 or
Elisabeth 970 728-4689.
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Remembering Aztlán:
a
column of poetry, culture & spirit
by Art Goodtimes
CORPSE ON BOOMERANG ROAD … Montrose writer MaryJoy Martin has gone and done
it. For almost 20 years I’ve been researching the archives of available
Telluride newspapers from before, during and after the Labor Troubles of
1901-1904. Back when I first came to town I read a monograph on the period by
Roger Neville Williams. It was interesting, but it left many questions
unanswered. What kind of man was Vincent St. John, head of the local miners’
union and eventual co-founder of the International Workers of the World, aka
the Wobblies? Who started the firefight in which John Barthell was martyred?
And what happened to Charles Sumner, a Republican newspaper editor who got run
out of town as a union sympathizer? … Well, Martin has the answers. Not only to
these, but to hundreds of other questions. She identifies villains. Exposes
their lies. And stamps “Liar” on their historical foreheads. Or “Saint” … Like
St. John, a young miner from Kentucky who went to work to support a widowed
mother, and rose through the ranks to head up the local 16-to-1 union chapter
in Telluride. Singlehandedly disarming “Shadagee” Bill Jordan on Telluride’s
main street before he could shoot someone in cold blood. Galloping into a hail
of bullets to stop a shootout at the Smuggler-Union mine. Or taking charge of
the Bullion fire amidst management incompetence -- working day and night to
rescue miners, union and non-union alike … Whereas, hatching his bachelor
plots, Journal Editor Francis E.
“Eddie” Curry keeps stirring the pot with lie after lie. Slandering and
mud-slinging. Doing everything in his power to denigrate the local miners’
union. A journalistic thug. A most villainous cad … Addison M. Wrench also
proves to be an arch anti-labor plotter-behind-the-scenes. A banker who apprenticed
with L.L. Nunn. He heads up the junta hoping to overthrow the Western
Federation of Miners. Another villainous fellow … And, contrary to what I’d
guessed, it turns out that “Shadagee” Bill was not named for a Shadowgee, those
tin can candle lanterns the Sagstetters wrote about in The Mining Camp Speaks (Benchmark Publ.,
Denver, 1998). Nope, it seems that Jordan was from Chateaugay, New York. And he
took his nickname from a phonetic version of his home town. That’s the level of
detail in Martin’s account. Archives. Newspapers. Legal documents. Personal
interviews. Martin has done a brilliant research job. This is the definitive
history of Telluride’s War on Labor 1899-1908. Exhaustive. A masterpiece of
historical detective work … And it’s not just great history. It’s a great read.
As Martin says in the preface, “History shouldn’t be so hard that you get
saddle sores riding through it.” No, Martin makes this book a riveting
page-turner. An expose of class warfare gussied up as crime novel. With good
guys and bad guys. Mutilated bodies. Rank tragedies and deeds of perilous
heroism … Her writing style is cheeky. Irreverent. But always on mark. As she
notes, Curry’s fabrications are so scurrilous and blatantly invented that
Martin ends Chapter 1 with this observation, “If that was truth, F.E. Curry
stored nuts in his nose.” Curry’s Daily
Journal was known to the miners of the day, she explains, as the
“Daily Diaper for the load it carried.” And in analyzing a possible motive for
murder, she writes, “[Arthur L.] Collins [who later was shot in the back as he
played cards in his Pandora home] made it known he disliked Italians, yet
readily hired them because they accepted lower wages in their desperation to
work.”… This is a fascinating tale. Characters best known as historical cutouts
become full-fledged character studies. And a terrible story takes place. A
conspiracy forms -- Boston capitalists, their Colorado mine-owner cohorts,
National Guard generalissimos, crooked legal and political professionals, an
in-house bully pulpit and petite bourgeois businessmen. And this conspiracy
begins to wage war on working class folks and a handful of local heroes. It is
a most disgraceful chapter in American history. But, like Telluride itself,
once discovered, it’s a story to be remembered … MaryJoy Martin has done us all
a great service. I can’t imagine working, residing in or even visiting
Telluride without reading this book. If only to recognize the onus we inherit
walking these streets. Most highly recommended.
© 2004 Art Goodtimes
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ReConnections: A Look Back
The heritage of
The Whole Life Network from the pages of Connections.
One Year Ago **"If
you are new to The Work of Byron Katie,
you can catch a free preview of what it is all about at The Friday Night Forum
on Monday Oct. 3rd. Judie Heideman is a graduate of the school
of Byron Katie and she will hold an introductory session on The Work for anyone interested in learning
this discipline."
**Tricia
Joy described the building of a labyrinth by a group of co-creators," And
once again, a sacred labyrinth calls forth, now located on the high desert
southwest of Montrose. Under a cornflower blue September sky smiling
with high wisps of clouds, earth and rock, shovel and wheelbarrow, souls and
Spirit came together to express upon the land, the sacred geometry we recognize
as a labyrinth."
Five Years Ago **"It's
almost time!!! Greg Braden will be our guest for the WLN Symposium, on
October 22 and 23, in the main auditorium at the Montrose Pavilion.
**Gary
Duncan of Smart Shelter wrote about progress in natural building, "It's
been interesting to watch over the past several years as natural building
(making our homes in ways less damaging to the environment) has
blossomed. The industry has grown from a few renegade eccentrics living
in adobe huts to $250 per square foot strawbale mansions at the foot of
Telluride's Wilson Peak with three-story composting toilets and poured adobe
floors."
Ten Years Ago
**"There's still time (but not much) to register for
"Exploring the Near Death Experience", to be held on October 8 from
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Montrose Pavilion."
**Joseph
Logiudice saw something coming, "So what we currently are
experiencing in the world of form is an isolated and insulated society poised
for and awaiting a "happening", a significant and emotional
experience designed to awaken the sleeping giant resident in all. This
shift in conscious awakening is already occurring. With each passing
cyclic year of this Piscean cycle we are experiencing an increased acceleration
of awareness, and it's occurring globally."
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Dea’s Kitchen: Vote with your pocketbook
by Dea
Jacobson
Last month, a mainstay of the organic marketplace in
Western Colorado closed its doors. Sundrop Grocery in Grand Junction, after 26
years of bringing fresh local and regional produce, organic grains, herbs and
spices, as well as health and beauty aids and supplements, went out of
business. Recently, they had opened a hot deli where friends and strangers
could sit together – they nurtured our bodies and our community. In an
underwriting statement on community radio KAFM, Sundrop management urged
listeners of local public radio to choose locally owned small businesses to
patronize thus supporting sustainable community. At their going out of business
sale, I saw lots of long faces, confused and lost as to how to replace this
valuable resource. While it’s too late for them, there are lots of other local
retailers competing with national and international chains to shop at for
everything from bikes, to clothes to toys to food.
That’s where we cooks can make a real difference. In
Sacred Kitchen, Robin and Jon Robertson point out that the choices we make in
the grocery store affects the world’s health and resources. Chain supermarkets
track every purchase these days for marketing research. It’s no different from
casting a vote when you shop. You support a product, its components, packaging
and advertising, as well as the actions of the company that makes it. Your
purchase is a “yes” vote for a whole chain of events, from production to
disposal of its waste products.
These votes are as powerful or more so than those we
cast in a political election. With this very real influence we can take power
away from polluters and exploiters of people and the environment, and make
compassionate choices as we shop. So, cooks, step forward and claim your power!
For an example, where you buy beef,
where it comes from, and how it is produced matters. It takes 16 pounds of
grain and 2500 gallons of water to produce a pound of commercial beef,
according to research the Robertsons did. But 16 people could be fed that
grain, which takes only 250 gallons of water to produce. Every 2 seconds a
human child starves to death. You get the picture? You can be an international
activist right from your little kitchen. As Ghandi said, “Whatever you do may
seem insignificant, but it is very important that you do it.” Here’s a few
suggestions. Eat lower on the food chain. Limit your use of animal products and
find local, grass fed sources. Hormone free, of course. Read labels. Buy foods
in season. Foods grown out of season are often coaxed to grow with chemical and
artificial light. Buy grains and beans in bulk and avoid wasteful packaging.
Take time to educate yourself.
This month, the recipe is “Mother Ogg’s Sweet
Potatoes”, courtesy of Amadea Morningstar.
3-4 tablespoons ghee (see 12/03 issue)
3-4 tablespoons ghee (see 12/03 issue)
2 tablespoons flour
2 cinnamon sticks, broken into several pieces
½ teaspoon ginger root, grated
2 cups milk – your choice
½ teaspoon sea salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
Wash
potatoes, and peel if skin is tough. Try scrubbing it off first. Boil for 20-30
minutes. Melt ghee in a large saucepan, and add the ginger root and cinnamon
pieces. Saute for 2-3 minutes. Drain the potatoes and mash them into the ghee
and spices. Make a well in the center, and add a little milk and the flour,
incorporating it into the potato mixture. Add the rest of the milk; heat until
hot. Add salt and pepper. Remove the cinnamon sticks before serving. Feeds 4-6.
Yummy!
Dea Jacobson, RYT, is owner of Blue Heron Yoga in Cedaredge. She teaches classes and has
one-on-one yoga therapy sessions in Delta and Mesa Counties, and cooks for
retreats regionally. Contact her at 970 856-4905 or www.blueheronyoga.com.
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Peaceful Contributions for the Soul
by Kathy Gates
We
are now entering the time of fall, a time of reflection. A time to become more
aware of the cycles of life. It is there in the still quiet place within, that
you can have direct experience with Creator. This can help you to reflect,
contemplate, and take stock of yourself, think before you speak, and let all
your communications be guided by your own wisdom.
Unity,
Harmony and Peace, bringing all people together. Instead of writing a meditation this month Women's Spirit
invites you to join us for Colors of the
Canyon, Sacred Steps to the Sunset. This fall program is about
Warming the Hearts and Souls of all People, One step at a Time. All life is a
gift we must nurture and treasure. Our spiritual beliefs may vary from one
person to another, yet that's what makes us so interesting That all of us can
be so diverse and yet join together to become one.
This
all day event for Unity will take place October
23rd from 1-8pm. Featuring Harriet Brekalo, guiding us into a
beautiful inner journey to self-healing through the sights, sounds and scents
of nature. Bobby Jimenez playing
the Native American Flute, may others see the warmth of your Spirit through the
compassion of your heart. Nora Axarlis
playing her Angelic Harp, come and be blessed by the Holy spirit. Colleen Patton playing her Celtic Harp,
bringing the light, love and peace to all. Kathy
Gates, drumming and singing, songs of the earth, the dawning of a
new time is coming, along with Linda Perri,
who will take you on a nature walk. Nature remains unsurpassed in its power to
transform our lives. By giving we receive, our give away blanket items will be
given to those in need.
Tickets
are available for purchase by contacting Women's
Spirit Retreat 970-856-7665 or you can call Harriet Brekalo at 970-201-3276.
Tickets are $40.00 per person, advanced ticket purchase
required. You
will need to bring a chair to sit on, a potluck dish to share and a meaningful
gift to give away for a special person in need.
Support
Peace and join us for this Harmonious Fall Celebration. Peace and Blessings to
you.
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Autumn Transition
© Anne Calzada Herbalist
Autumn
is the time of falling leaves, the waning Sun and a bounty of harvest. The
energy is directed inward as the Earth prepares itself for a winter season. The
plants and trees begin to nest deep in their roots. It is time to ground and
become focused. Traditionally spring and fall are the times of change and
cleansing. We prepare the house and the yard as well as our internal climate.
Autumn is associated with the element of metal in the five-element theory. Metal corresponds with the lungs and the
large intestine. Giving attention to these two organs will add strength and
balance to the body, mind and spirit. The flavor associated with metal is
pungent. Foods and herbs that are pungent support the respiratory system. Foods
such as cayenne, garlic, ginger, horseradish, mustard and onions are helpful
when there is mucous, sinus congestion or a cold trying to set in. The lungs
express themselves through the skin and an imbalance may manifest as acne or
dry skin. Herbs such as mullein, and peppermint support the lungs and dilate the
bronchial tubes for optimal functioning. Foods and herbs that are cleansing,
soothing and fibrous are beneficial for the colon. Oats, flax seeds, psyllium
seeds, yellow dock, burdock, root vegetables, squash, pumpkins, grapes and
apples help with colon health and toxin elimination. Accumulation in the colon
may result in constipation, headaches, allergies, sinus problems, asthma and
fatigue. A dehydrated body leads to constipation, dry skin, hair and eyes. The
climate of metal is dryness and the fluid is mucous. Drink water and nourish
with good essential fatty acids. Supplement your body with acidophilus. The
colon will function more efficiently. Feeling balanced is expressed through
communication, clarity, order, discipline and focus. Metal is said to rule the
emotions of worry and grief. Unexpressed emotions are damaging to all systems
and are encouraged for release. Emotional harmony is strengthened through
exercise, meditation and prayer. Singing is wonderful for the lungs and helps
to "get it all out". Singing is helpful for fatigue and enlivens you.
Musical instruments and dancing allow for great _expression and release of pent
up energy. Affirmations such as "I release the old and welcome the
new" are powerful! Essential oils are helpful in lifting the body, mind
and spirit. Eucalyptus stimulates immunity and opens the bronchial passages.
Lavender is soothing and relaxing, helping to calm the mind. Frankincense and
myrrh are antiseptic and used for meditation and grounding when focus is
needed. Never use essential oils internally! Use them in a diffuser, massage
oil, spray or simply inhale them. Many singles or blends are available in
different forms at health food stores. Massages, reiki, acupuncture,
chiropractic alignments, yoga, tai chi and baths help the internal energy to
flow. Detoxifying baths and visits to the hot springs are beneficial. Dry skin
brushing sloughs off accumulations and supports the lungs. Take time to admire
the wonders of nature as the leaves change. See the animals gathering and the
birds changing their routes. We are blessed to be here. Not only on Earth, but
also in Colorado! Congratulations to the Whole Life Network on their 15 years
of service to the community, I am joyous to be involved! Happy Holy Health!
Anne Calzada is a Certified Herbalist and founder of
Healing Heart Herbs. Her products can be found at Food For Thought in Ridgway
and at other fine natural health outlets. For consultations or classes she may
be reached at 626-5663 or by email annecalzada@aol.com).
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GETTING OUT OF DODGE
Part Three of a Series by Earl Sires
Monday
night in Dodge was a night of dodging the Tornado Boys, the meanest bunch on
the prairie. I had heard of how rough they can handle a whole town.
Indeed I had seen the results of two of their rampages years ago, and I wanted
no part of them. I'd been warned to get out of Dodge, where I was
spending the night. Even so I waited until morning to make a run for
it. When morning came I took my time, just sauntered about, taking a
shower and getting breakfast. I wanted to prove to myself that I was no
coward, and even though I didn't want to tangle with those boys, I had to show
them they couldn't just shove me around.
Once on
the road I quickly forgot about them. This would be the second day of my
ride from Chase County, Kansas where the prairie rolls gentle, is covered with
the tall Bluestem grass that is thought to be the best feed in the world.
A few miles out the grassland became farmland mixed with imported grass, the
land leveled out and for many miles I road through flat lands. Once
beyond Dodge I watched a gradual change as first a few cacti appeared, then
some tumbleweed, and finally I began to see Juniper dotting the land, then sage
and finally large stands of Pinion Pine. At the same time I noticed a
rise in the land that would eventually reach six thousand feet at the foot of
the Rockies about twenty five hundred more than where I was. The sky was
heavy with the somber clouds of a desert rain but not dark enough to hide the
great mountains as they at last came into view. About here there came a
downpour that began as marble sized hail. For a moment I thought
the Tornado crowd had caught me after all. But a bit of slick riding brought me
to safety, the sun came out and I had no more trouble as I rode on.
The
ground was now rising fast and I could look to right and left and see the two
great arms of the Rockies reaching out far to the north and the south.
Going through Pueblo I hadn't time to pay attention to the mountains for having
to thread my way through an old western town that somehow had changed itself
into another vast American shopping confabulation. Twenty miles of riding
through modern ugly and I was again out in open country looking more and more
like Colorado. Now the hills turned yellow and red and buff covered with
Pinion Pine, the hills a little more broken with arroyos showing now and
then. Pretty soon low rough rock outcroppings broke through the earth
looking like rows of dinosaur jaws. A quick check of the mountains to
right and left told me the great arms were fast moving out to begin dosing
around me. The hills and valleys were becoming more pronounced, more rock
now than earth, far more dramatic in their countenance. Before me the
great walls looked solid and impenetrable, and right and left they were
gathering me in. The road fell away into a deep valley covered with
beautiful Cottonwoods, willows and other shade trees, and the green valley
spread north and south.
Then I
was through it and speeding up a long hill that wound around through the gap
and I noticed two things almost simultaneously; that my breathing grew faster
and my heart picked up its pace, two signs of growing excitement, and then the
mighty arms of the Rockies closed around me in sweet embrace and I was back in
the bosom of the country I love so well, in the mountains that have forever
called to me.
At
Royal Gorge I settled in for the night with mountains all around me, some
standing high above the others still covered with snow. And the night
fell and the stars shone brightly and the cool mountain air felt so fresh
against my skin. And to quote a famous Negro narration, God looked on His
creation and said, that's good! And so it is.
And
that's how I got out of Dodge.
(Editor's Note: These are excerpts from the journaling
of Earl Sires, former Board Member of The Whole Life Network. Earl Sires has
removed himself from our valley as a permanent resident, but he continues his
influence in our community with frequent visits. Please refer to the March 2004
issue of Connections and the
article, Earl Sires Marks His 75th, for more detail on his life and travels.)
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More News From Kembatta: IPAfricaN at Work
Excerpts from a letter to Elizabeth Roscoe from Women's Self-Help
Center in Ethiopia.
Dear
Elizabeth,
Thank
you, very much for the money sent and soliciting assistance in all forms.... We
(Women's Self-Help Center) are progressing in our environmental work. We
have completed a very comprehensive survey that included examining the
availability or lack of family planning, alternative income generation,
alternative energy sourcendemocracy and governance, gender, democracy and human
rights, health, education and population. We hope this would give us a total
picture to see ecology, society and economy, and how to go forward in
sustainable manner.
I
just came back form the project area. It was interesting and exciting trip and
at the same time, a heart breaking, because, you hear testimonies after
testimonies of victimized women at the hand of men, for no apparent reasons,
other than that they are women. A tragic case that concerns Female
Genital Excision and HIV/AIDS was reported. About three years ago, a family in
a remote district of Angacha, had celebrated the cutting of their two
daughters, 18 and 17, at the same time, one after another. In the process of
cutting of the older daughter, the traditional "circumciser" cut her
own finger accidentally, and was bleeding. Of course, that is not unusual; she
proceeded to cut the younger daughter and everybody was happy.
The
older daughter got engaged to a young man, and came to our center for HIV
testing. She was found HIV-positive. Her world and that of her family was
turned up side down. Everybody knew the girls to be very innocent,
unassuming, shy, well behaved and churchgoers and the family to be exemplary in
the whole village. According to the basic facts about HIV/AIDS and its possible
modes of transmissions, they traced back to the "circumciser". Then
they also tested the younger sister who was cut at the same time. The younger
sister was also found to be positive, and both the girls are languishing,
helplessly. The recent reports indicate that, "there is a growing feminization
of this epidemic"; in sub-Saharan Africa, women are 57% of infected,
including Ethiopia and in Kenya, 65%, and 75% of them are between the ages
15-24. Horrifying!
On
the brighter side, the social movements among the districts we operate have
become very strong. We had our biannual, two days reporting and experience
sharing meeting of the representatives of the different units. The group from
the five districts shared their victories, challenges and how they have
overcome some of the challenges, concerns and (how they) continue the struggle
and suggested a way forward. It was electrifying, energizing, encouraging and
extremely enriching.
One
of the agenda items was preparing women for the upcoming national election, of
May 2005. Each of the five districts discussed; why women need to be elected to
different level of government structures; from the lowest to the highest level.
How we should sensitize communities to the need and importance to vote for
women candidates; how to prepare women candidates in each of the district to
campaign for public offices; enhance their organizational and public speaking
and self-presentation skills and self-confidences.
Our
last agenda was about the up-coming celebration(of the reversal of the ritual
of Female Genital Excision); after introducing the idea, each district was
allowed to discuss as a group, how they would like the celebration to be
organized and proceed, what the role of each district should be, who and how it
should be financed. The responses of the group were amazing. The group
particularly the women took the lead; they said, "we had a tongue but we
were mutes, we had brains, but never used it, we were not to be heard, but only
to be seen and ordered around". This would be our chance to tell our
stories, our trials and tribulations and most importantly, our victories, in
our own voices. They said, "We would bring the young girls we saved from
the horrors of "circumcision" to the celebration, even if it means we
would walk barefoot for three days". The energies and the excitements were
high; this definitely makes me feel worth everything I worked for.
Much
love and hope some day to see you.
Boge
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They Say Men Aren't Supposed to Cry
by Jerry Overton
They
say men aren't supposed to cry
They're supposed to be tough, in control, with a stiff upper lip.
They say men aren't supposed to cry
That it's a sign of weakness
That it's for women or little girls or sissies.
They
say men aren't supposed to cry
Even when they're still little boys
When they fall down and knock their knee caps off
When their best friend moves away unexpectedly
When their parents divorce and never exchange another kind word.
They
say men aren't supposed to cry
That they're to be the strong ones
And learn to stifle their fear-driven tears
To squelch them before they come to sting their cheeks
To choke them in their throats before they ever become apparent.
They
say men aren't supposed cry
But rather be men dammit
Be like their fathers before them
Stifling all feelings
Even the saddened rage they feel in the bleak dark of the night.
They
say men aren't supposed to cry
And so they don't
Except in the deepest part of their souls
That part beyond reason or logic
Beyond the voices of those who would stifle their tears.
They
say men aren't supposed to cry
Not even at their own mother's funeral
Or the realization that they never really knew their father
And may never know their own children
Or even themselves for that matter.
They
say men aren't supposed to cry.
So instead they work themselves to the point of exhaustion
Or chase women, or drink themselves into oblivion
Or become cynical, abusive, or even worse, religious!
And die of a coronary at the age of 53.
They
say men aren't supposed to cry
It's just not the manly thing to do.
But last night, at that darkest point of the night
That point when you don't know if it will ever be light again,
I cried.
Perhaps
the Light, and Life, will come again after all.
Copyright 2004, Dr. Jerry D. Overton
Jerry is a personal coach, therapist, and Director of The Center for Personal
and Spiritual Growth. He can be reached at 252-9311.
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Whole Life Network
Business Member Profile
Joshua Hayward and Ester Lail
Light Source Institute
Whole Life Network Release
In the
recent past, the partnership of the Whole Life Network and the Light Source
Institute has produced some pretty innovative and amazing successes. One
can start with the original Friday Night Forum speaker series hosted by none
other than Josh Hayward. This very inspiring series of programs was
created and orchestrated by the Light Source Institute. He also was
Vice-President of our network. Ester Lail was secretary of The Whole Life
Network and served several times to oversee the activities of The Whole Life
and Learning Expo. As an aside, it was Josh Hayward who came up with the
name change for the Expo when we found that our fair was being mistaken for the
event put on by the hospital. Josh Hayward has been for many years the
host of our radio show, Connections, which
is aired at high noon on the fourth Thursday of each month on KVNF, public
radio, Paonia.
Josh
and Ester do have a life outside of The Whole Life Network. About a year
ago, they had the opportunity to move to a great location for the Light Source
Institute in Ouray and they jumped for the chance. In Ouray they have
made many new friends and we are confident that they have retained all of their
old friends from farther down the valley. The Light Source Institute is
now located at 600 Main St. in Ouray. The next time you are down their
way be sure to stop in and check firsthand on all of the activities of Josh and
Ester. You'll find that here is a place where guidance and inspiration
abound to support the journey of the soul. Josh and Ester know the
callings in ones heart and they provide a loving, nurturing energetic space for
the education of spirit and the growth of consciousness. Ester is a
highly sought after clairvoyant whose experienced, compassionate work constantly
creates breakthroughs for clients and students. Are you ready for your
"inner child" to be wearing a big grin? Then you are ready to
have Ester touch your life. If you know Josh, you know why he is known as
a "consciousness advocate" in our community. He truly
"walks the walk" and inspires others to do the same. He is an
astrologer who is helping us to interpret our times. For the best
evidence of this you should read his newsletter. Go to www.lightsourceinstitute.net to
sign up for the newsletter and to get the latest on class schedules and planned
activities.
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