I am so fortunate to write on this day of hope and change.  A new president, a new era.  A world that has another opportunity to move in the right direction.  A shift in our social consciousness.

The 36-day GIGGGLE project taught some unexpected lessons – and a little more about myself.  I am pleased for what I could do and optimistic that I can continue the giving-receiving cycle in a more fluid natural way going forward.  Some of those things that I learned . . .

1: that we all give and receive every day in our own unique ways.  And mostly without a directed intent of doing so.
2: one does not need to have a lot of money, does not need an abundance of time, and does not even need a fair amount of energy to be a giver.  Something as subtle as a nod of appreciation toward somebody can change their course of direction for the day – which can thus positively change those in that person’s path.  And if one does have an abundance of money, time, energy + the proclivity to be charitable, then the opportunities are endless.  My current conclusion is that the value of the intent and action is not relative to the monetary value or grandness of a gesture.  Giving and receiving is non-exclusive, accessible to all.
3: that when I began this – it was born out of a small interesting “what if…” thought in my head.  I didn’t  thoroughly think through logistics or what happens when life gets in the way.  I’m glad I did not.  Without the pressure of having to do this a correct way, it was easier to be organic and creative.  There were experiences which I did not jot down, like bringing a flowerbud to somebody ‘just because’ and reaching out to strangers with suggestions on questions they were needing answered.  Those sort of things can be as giving as a monetary donation – and in the balance of life, sometimes just as appreciated.
4: I had concerns that, as somebody with a current health challenge, I would not be able to complete the project.  Turns out, I am stronger willed than I thought.  I had moments of discouragement, particularly with realizations of my inability to be a consistent volunteer.  But that is a TINY part in giving and helping out.  Compassion, a helping hand up, giving, being a good listener – all these things come in many forms.  I have also been reminded that if I really want to volunteer with a specific cause, that there are things that can be done virtually in which I do not have to think so much about physical demands and consistency.

Am surprised that I did not focus on the items that I thought I would be most passionate about – particularly literacy and children’s causes.  In the end, they seem so important – so large – that to have one small thing to contribute seemed trivial.   And what I want to devote there feels like it should be on an ongoing basis.  So isn’t that interesting that I would skip those altogether in the 36 days?

On the receiving side, this was not as easy for me.  Though it was magnified just how abundant and fortunate I am, and how easy it is to find things to be grateful for.  On New Years day, I gathered a list of accomplishments from the last 16 months and spent some time reflecting on how much I have been able to do in light of some difficult and challenging circumstances over the last year.  I have been a good human do-ing.  And will continue the evolution to a human be-ing.  The latter months have definitely been more about just being.  And about exploring my worth in the context of just being alive (in contrast to my worth being equal to a societal-defined measure of productivity).  I must say that there seems to be some sort of correlation in the ability to receive with the confidence of feeling valued as a person.  Understand that this may be vague,  however it does makes sense in my head.  Lots more to explore in that area . . .

Perhaps the most important lesson I receive from GIGGGLE is one of perspective.  It is with great gratitude that I have the mindset to appreciate the positive parts of my life.  And how much I really have.    Hoping that you will join me in the journey of the continued giving-receiving cycle.  And may we all find simple gifts to share in both the mundane and extraordinary moments of our lives.

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The 2009 Day of Service – Martin Luther King Day – takes place this year on January 19, 2009 .  Consider spending this day or the weekend being a greater part of your community.

In the Bay Area, there are opportunities as varied as:

- planting ferns in Paradise Park in Tiburon ( 01/17 ) SFGate Website Details

- helping to clean up Ocean Beach with the Surfrider Foundation ( 01/18 )

- visiting with Veterans and helping with the monthly Ice Cream Social at the VA Hospital in Menlo Park ( 01/18 ) VolunteerMatch Website Details

- sorting medical supplies for shipment in San Leandro ( 01/19 )
MLK Day Website Details and MedShare International

- beautification and clean-up of Quesada Gardens in Bayview ( 01/19 )
MLK Day Website Details and Quesada Gardens Blog

- calling your place of worship to volunteer your services for a portion of the day!

- spending the day with the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy ( 01/19 )

- becoming an adult literacy tutor in your area ( ongoing! )
(Oakland) Adult Learning & Literacy Providers
(SF) Project Read SF and Project Read Blog
(Peninsula) Project Read Redwood City
(North Bay) Marin Literacy Program and Adult Literacy League of Sonoma County

The opportunities are endless.  Do some investigating on your own through your favorite foundation, charity or cause.  There really is a little something for everyone!

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I spent a good deal of time on the last day of the year in quiet.  Writing to myself about the past year and the new and improved year to come.  I am optimistic about the future, but also struggle on a daily basis with doubts that I am pursuing the right treatment options and  wondering how much more my physical body can take.  I enjoy thinking and researching about volunteering, and am enviable of those that can commit to such.  I have always tried to be a “practice what I preach” type of person.  But the dilemma of dealing with an unpredictable chronic illness means that I cannot do physical work and may not be able to follow through with commitments I make.  Everything is truly lived in the present.  A good place to be, but the real world doesn’t exactly work like that.  So I am going to do some more thinking about how I can contribute to my community on an ongoing basis, stay balanced and not overwhelmed, and not martyr myself by exhausting my time for the rest of the week.  There is no room for guilt in my life.

That’s a lot of nots and negatives in those sentences . . . a way I don’t normally like to approach things.  My ultra-responsible self has always been overly aware of what it means to commit to something and not bail at the last minute.  No longer realistic.  Will think about it some more, and would welcome other ideas which involve participation on a more spontaneous and less physical basis.

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Happy New Year all you sleepyheads!

This week I did a lot of random things.  Like giving away items from my house reno to those that could use the older stuff.  And I have an update on the Slipper Project.  But first I have a garden to go sit in.  So please excuse me while I ponder.  Deep thoughts are sure to come.

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Coming home from an errand, I am stopped at a busy intersection.  I notice that a huge snow-white bird statue had been mounted on a small corner patch of grass.  It is an egret – or maybe a swan.  Odd choice of place to put such a thing, I think.  It must be almost as tall as I, certainly over half my height.  As I turn the corner, I glance in the rearview mirror for one last look at the curiosity.  The statue majestically spreads its wings and takes flight.

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at the end of 2008 .
what has infiltrated my vocabulary & become more so of me than ever before.

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I used to think I was tres smart by getting concert tickets on Craigslist.  While I wouldn’t look down on anybody getting that satisfaction, I’ve come to realize that certain programs really depend on those ticket sales to continue providing their much-loved resources to our community.  One place that I will try to buy directly from is our local orchestra programs.  I mentioned in a previous post just how much enjoyment I get from a good string concert performance.  How can I not focus giving to something that I get so much back from?

If you can’t afford to purchase tickets directly from the symphony organization for the main concert, you can still expose your family and friends to the experience in other ways.  Take the kids to a dress rehearsal.  In this area, a Discovery Rehearsal Series can cost less than $7 / ticket for a children’s series of 7 concerts and about $8.50 p/ ticket for adults.  That’s less than a movie ticket nowadays!  This gains you entrance to the final dress rehearsal on the Saturday of a performance weekend.  It can actually be more interesting than the actual concert if you enjoy witnessing the behind-the-scenes action and interactivity between conductor and orchestra.  Upcoming performances are at 2pm on January 24, February 21, April 18, and May 16, 2009.

And if concert dates make sense in your schedule, becoming a member can have plenty of advantages and be cost-effective as well.   You will have the opportunity to purchase tickets prior to the general public offering and therefore the ability to get greater choice of seating.  Plus, you will then stock up points toward preferred seating at the new venue coming later this year, the Green Center in Rohnert Park at Sonoma State University.

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I am extremely pleased to see that this area has active youth symphony orchestras.   With school music and art programs going out the door, kids need another outlet where they can cultivate these talents.  Plus, I am convinced that my math and reading skills – and even physical coordination and ability to decipher puzzles – were enhanced by learning to read music at an early age.  With following a conductor’s direction comes discipline, and with identifying rhythms and the subtleties of an adagio vs an andante comes coordination and acute awareness of others’ cues.  Just like in team sports, you learn to work as individuals to problem-solve & deconstruct your own piece – and then operate together in unison to produce a grand symphony for a keen and enthusiastic audience.   I would be hard-pressed to raise children in a community where this value is not recognized.  Thank you Santa Rosa Symphony, for providing that important and worthy avenue.

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On the heels of yesterday’s post, here are some things you can do to help keep our park system alive and open to the public.  These five things are tangible ways for you to make a difference if this cause speaks to you as important.

1 – Visit a state park.

What could be a more pleasurable way to spend an afternoon?  If you live in California, the resource www.calparks.org will help you locate one near you or a particular destination.

2 – Support the implementation of the State Park Access Pass.

If you live outside of California, find out what similar programs your state provides.  As you may know, in the fall of 2008, Californians experienced the longest budget delay in history. Thankfully, none of the state parks that were on the chopping blocks were closed.  The President of the California State Parks Foundation (CSPF), Elizabeth Goldstein, points out in a recent progress update that “If Californians paid just $10 on annual vehicle license fees, we’d have enough money to address critical problems in the state park system, and provide free daily access.” Think about that – free daily park access.  Most of our beaches alone have entry fees higher than that!  Another $5 / year would keep the monies allocated to the park system in our general state budget.  Find your local representative here.  And for a sample letter or to organize a group petition, download this pdf to use as foundation for your own – spap petition

3 – Participate in Park Advocacy Day 2009
Info from the CSPF Website:  Monday, March 23, 2009. Join us for our seventh year of bringing together advocates from across California to lobby for funding and protection of our state parks.  It is those in-person visits that make an impression and demonstrate the dedication of advocates who travel to Sacramento to make their voices heard. Online registration is open and can be done by visiting the PAD 09 section of our web site. Or for more info, call the Sacramento office at (916) 442-2119.

4 – Thank your governor for work completed in 2008 towards the preservation of California’s natural environment.
http://www.environmentcalifornia.org/action/preservation/wildforeststhankyou

5 – Ask your senator to please continue this important work in 2009 http://www.environmentcalifornia.org/action/preservation/feinstein

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Other tips can be found here at Save our State Parks and at the CSPF.

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A belated Happy Hanukkah to all my tribe.  I think I may have a “Jewish in June” party for all denominations.  Wouldn’t it be fun to celebrate all the jewish holidays of the year in one night?  Sort of like bar golf, but hopefully a little more educational.  It’s pretty hard to get slammed off manischewitz wine.  + maybe it will straighten out the facts that Hanukkah and Christmas are as related as Pesach and Easter.  (none have any relation to the other ; – ).  Of course, singing maoz tzur while dressed as Queen Esther and dining under a Tu B’shvat arbor may be even more confusing!  I am grateful that I have friends that are open to my crazy ideas.

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Today I chose to become a member of an organization that supports the preservation of the Sonoma Coasts and Redwood Forests.  Stewards provide educational opportunities to the community, including children’s classes on Tidepool and Watershed Education and Redwood Ecology.  Stewards sponsors interpretive talks and naturalist-led tours, hikes, bike rides, kayak trips and other local community events such as the Bodega Bay Seafood, Art and Wine Festival and the Annual Old Grove Festival (which features music and theater in the woods).  Part of the organization’s goals is to enhance the experience of visitors to the parks, state reserves and surrounding coasts through ongoing programs and ecological projects of historical and day-to-day significance.

This year ( 2008 ) 17 of our 48 State Parks were faced with closure by the government due to budget cuts. The deferred maintenance shortfall that currently exists in our state parks is in the realm of $1.2 billion. The deferred maintenance projects in the Russian River District total in the millions.  The dedication to parks preservation by the Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods, along with their California state and local partners, have helped keep our parks open to the public for yet another year.  Let’s try to make that forever.

If interested, learn more about the Stewards here.

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I took this photo amongst the redwoods at Muir Woods a couple of years ago.  Sometimes I forget how lucky we are – able to experience these enormous beauties at any time.  It takes a visitor to remind me that other parts of the country do not have this spectacular landscape.  It is hanging in my office, as a pleasant reminder to get out and see the real thing every now and then.

Tomorrow, I will highlight 5 things you can do to help save our parks.

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Shoes and more shoes.  Shoes that are cute – fit one foot and not the other (don’t ask).  Shoes that were worn a few times before realizing they were just not me.  Heels that I can no longer wear.  [But I will wear heels again someday].  Shoes that are just taking up space where I have none.   I didn’t think I was “that” kind of girl with all the shoes.  But I guess I was wrong.

I schlepp the pile over to Goodwill.  Somebody please love my shoes.

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And unrelated to the shoes, look what I got !  You gotta smile at that !!

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