Like rain…

Like rain our friends have fallen, like the sun they will continue to shine, like wind their spirits surround us, this is the time.
Like thunder we warn, like lightning we strike, Like fire we burn, the end is in sight.
We are a mother’s strength, We are a child’s will, We are a family united, we will not be still.
The deception has been broadcast, the wickedness has been seen, the rape has been exposed by the Sea of Green.

Poem by Patty Blake from a recent dream

World Wide Window

Azadi Monument, Tehran, IRAN

One day I discovered I could see Iran through my window
An awesome sight, throngs of people
old and determined, young and defiant
So many, they dwarfed the capital’s grand monuments
Filling the streets, the squares, the parks
Jewel bright flashes of green everywhere

I had never really looked at Iran before
Now I found it mesmerising: I couldn’t look away
The scenes changed, peaceful green scorched by fiery orange,
stained with bloody red. Surrounded by dark shadows
Strong, noble green prevailed
Day by day it became the colour of Iran

Around the world, people were drawn to the window
Day after day we watched
We wrote tiny messages of support
Maybe they would realise they were not alone
We bore witness. We watched and waited

Life away from the window began to lose its colour
I sat in my grey world and stared at Iran,
hungry for any glimpse of green
Time goes by, still we watch and wait
Infinite confetti of hope and friendship, sympathy and love
rains onto Iran from a million windows

Make a Loan – Save a Life

Have you heard about Kiva.org? They are a non-profit doing something good by helping people who are struggling to make a life for themselves but need a loan – usually a pitifully small amount – to help them along. This is a superb idea and I heartily endorse the concept. I especially like that the charity passes on 100% of all donations to the people they are helping. It’s a nice touch that they offer the option of adding 10% to your donation amount (from $25) to help them with their running costs, but is it only an option, there’s no pressure.

Once you have made a donation, this is what happens:

• 100% of your funds will be sent to Kiva’s local partner who will disburse your loan
• You’ll receive periodic updates showing the impact of your loan
• Once your loan is fully repaid, you may withdraw the funds or sponsor a new entrepreneur

See that last bit? A gift you can give over and over again. Nice!
Here’s to Kiva and their enterprising beneficiaries around the world, I want to see them all realise their hopes and dreams, and I wish them well.

There’s plenty of room left for GIVING in the world

I’ve been thinking about giving, and what has become of it. Yes, recent world events have led me to this particular train of thought, but I assure you it’s never that far from my mind. It has been fairly depressing to witness so many examples of taking, or witholding, and yet I am constantly scanning the news for signs of giving. I find that kind words or deeds are like a food for the spirit, and they motivate me to do likewise. Until recently, I just felt kind of shell-shocked by the whole experience of events like Hurricane Katrina and the endless killings and bombings. Then something my sister did pulled me back.

She has started up a new website, called GIVEthing. It’s a community or forum kind of site, and she wants people to join up so they can share news and information about the charities and fund raising projects they support. I think that’s a fantastic idea. There are already sites that help you manage donations or sponsorship, but it’s nice to have a place where you can just hang out with like-minded types. I hope you’ll pop over and pay her a visit. I know that seeing what she is trying to create, and the effort she is putting in has been an inspiration to me, and helped me realise that I can’t just shrink away from the world when it gets uncomfortable. So I have decided to follow her example, and put a bit of give into it.

I think that giving is only one half of a transaction. To give, there needs to be a receiver. A lot of people I know are really not very good at receiving, whether that’s a compliment, a gift or perhaps praise. The tendency here in England is to play down any positive qualities, and that can be a source of unhappiness in itself; as it becomes a form of taking, by eroding self-confidence. So, I hope my sister knows that when I say “Well done!” I mean it sincerely, and I wish her well.