On Mother’s Day & the Role of Women Throughout the World
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It is no secret that I’ve spent much of my time for the past year learning about compassion, non-judgment, philanthropy, global poverty, health, and so many of the other subjects we talk about here on The Conscious Perspective. In my eyes, they tie seamlessly together.
On a recent drive home I opted to skip the CBC Radio One or audiobook I would normally listen to, and decided instead to enjoy a few brief moments of silence. During this time I had a certain subject on my mind – that of the role of women throughout the world.
You see, I recently finished listening to a new book, Behind the Beautiful Forevers, by New York Times writer Katherine Boo. The book chronicles the lives of a few families and individuals living in the slums of Mumbai, a large city in India. The slums are just within reach of some of the most luxurious hotels in the city, where the wealthy gather.
The book, written after Boo spent years speaking to residents living in the slums, paints a picture of what it is truly like for the men, women and children who call the slums of Annawadi home.
As a Mother, I was quite impacted by the realities of what a Mother in Annawadi would experience on a regular basis – their daily chores even – my body could handle for only one day. In the book, it is also common for women to be physically abused by the men in their lives, including brothers.
I also recalled a recent study that reported a staggering 33% of all married women in Japan are domestically abused. And as one Tweeter said – those are only the ones who participated in this particular survey.
So yes, lately I’ve thought a lot the role of women throughout the world, and on this drive home I realized that every woman I know is lucky. There are tragedies, there is sorrow, nothing is perfect. But my Mother, my sister, my cousins. We are lucky to be living where we are, and we are lucky to have chosen this period in history to be women and Mothers.
One of my favorite quotes is, “To those whom much is given, much is expected“. This is how I view my own life. I am grateful for what I have been given, and realize that I am here at this time for a reason.
For Mother’s Day this year, instead of flowers for the Mother’s in my life, I am providing them with the opportunity to help a Mother somewhere else in the world. I am giving them Kiva Cards – $25 gift certificates which they can use to contribute to helping another Mother’s dream come true.
Why am I doing this? Because I know that the women who are waiting for Kiva microloan funding, these Mother’s don’t want a handout, they just need a helping hand.
You can learn more about Kiva’s Mother’s Day cards here.
Happy Mother’s Day!
Heidi
Organization Spotlight ~ Vital Voices
“A woman with a voice is by definition a strong woman.” – Melinda French Gates
We are all about using our voices for good over here at The Conscious Perspective and so are former First Lady Hilary Rodham Clinton and former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright who established the Vital Voices Democracy Initiative in 1997. This initiative was established after the United Nations Fourth World Conference on women, which was intended to “promote the advancement of women as a U.S. foreign policy goal”, took place.
Through the Vital Voices Democracy Initiative, the United States Government and several other global organizations and governments coordinated conferences bringing together women leaders from all over the world. The Vital Voices Democracy Initiative was positively received, and eventually led to the creation of the nonprofit non-governmental organization Vital Voices Global Partnership.
At this time Vital Voices is concentrating on issues such as the socio economic, social and political statuses of women. They seek to do this by “providing skills, networking and other support to women around the world” to achieve various desired outcomes – including increasing political participation by women, and promoting entrepreneurship.
The mission of the organization focuses on investing in women not only in the United States but across the globe. They identify, train and empower “emerging women leaders and social entrepreneurs” to help them have the ability to contribute to the world in a manner that will benefit all people. Women are encouraged to become agents of change within their communities.
Vital Voices works to combat human trafficking and other types of violence toward women and girls and they support entrepreneurship by helping women expand their enterprises through “business development, marketing and communication skills helping create employment and provide women with a means to provide for their families.
According to their website, the Vital Voices team, which consists of over 1,000 members, has trained and mentored over “12,000 emerging women leaders” throughout the world including Africa, Asia, Latin American and the Middle East since their work first began in 1997. Using a “pay it forward” approach, these women leaders have returned home to train and mentor more than 500,000 additional women and girls in their communities. It is the belief of Vital Voices that the women they are serving are in fact the “Vital Voices of our time”.
To learn more about the Vital Voices community visit them online at vitalvoices.org, like them on Facebook or follow them on Twitter at @VitalVoices and be sure to take a look at their infographic on the Vital Voices model.
The Fire Starter Sessions by Danielle LaPorte ~ A Review & Giveaway!
Have you heard the chatter across the internet about a book called The Fire Starter Sessions? Or maybe you were one of the many that tuned in to The WISH Summit held by Tera Warner and heard the interview with author, Danielle LaPorte.
Personally, I went from never hearing of Danielle LaPorte, to watching her thrust into the internet spotlight overnight, and by chance, receiving an email from her book publisher Random House just a day after listening to her WISH interview. (Don’t get me wrong, she is not new, she has been helping people change their lives for years).
I was intrigued and jumped at the chance to read over her book. Though Danielle had me at “tea with Eckhart Tolle”, I was completely submersed into a world that quickly peeled away layers and provided epiphany after epihany.
The book itself is gorgeous – modern and in your face, which I loved. It’s fun to read and for someone with a short attention span, it kept me drawn in. The tone is very informal, as I would imagine a conversation over coffee (or tea) would be in person with Danielle.
The Fire Starter Sessions is separated into three parts – Mojo, Moxie, and Results – and at the end of each chapter, there is a worksheet or two which correlates the the chapter. It is peppered with thoughtful quotes that always drill in the point she is trying to get across.
Though my plan was to read the book and go back over and complete the exercises, the questions were so good I couldn’t wait. I quickly grabbed a pen and paper and tackled the thought provoking and personal questions.
I won’t give away too much. But I do want to say that my favorite aspect of The Fire Starter Sessions is the fact that Danielle is obviously a person who cares deeply about helping others on a soul level. She wants to help us break away the superficial layers and get to the root of our spirit and do something that truly makes us feel bliss.
I believe this book fell into my lap when it did for a reason and I am grateful that I have been able to recently create something that comes directly from my soul - Charitable Influence - with the help and clarity brought forth from The Fire Starter Sessions.
Today I want to extend this same opportunity to you.
“It is not revolutions and upheavals that clear the road to… better days, but revelations, and lavishness… of someone’s soul, inspired and ablaze.” – Boris Pasternak, poet (via The Fire Starter Sessions)
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GIVEAWAY
I am giving away a copy of Danielle LaPorte’s new book The Fire Starter Sessions!
The contest is open to US & Canadian residents and ends at Midnight on Monday, May 14th, 2012.
To Enter:
CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED. Congrats to winner Victoria!
(Winner selected via Random.org)
Disclosure: I was provided a copy of The Fire Starter Sessions from Random House. The opinions expressed in this post are my own, as always.
Organization Spotlight ~ Oxfam International
What happens when 15 international organizations come together in over 90 countries and partner with people around the world all in an effort to end poverty and injustice? Oxfam International happens.
The name Oxfam, derived from the term “Oxford Committee for Famine Relief“, describes the group of diverse organizations that came together to achieve a greater impact in the reduction of poverty and injustice on an international level.
Formed in 1995, not only does Oxfam deliver emergency relief but they also implement “long term development programs in vulnerable communities”.
Oxfam diligently works to help those “striving to exercise their human rights, assert their dignity as full citizens and take control of their lives”. It is their belief that all people have the right to live a life free from poverty and reside in a “more equitable world”.
Focusing their efforts in the areas of program development, emergency aid, raising public awareness, advocating for change and conducting research, Oxfam works with local organizations to support those living in poverty.
Addressing multiple issues including agriculture, HIV and AIDS, gender justice, minority rights, and education, Oxfam works directly with the communities they service seeking to “lift people out of poverty” and ensure that they have a “say in decisions that affect them”.
Currently, there are Oxfam organizations based in several global regions including Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Mexico and Spain. Those working behind the scenes at Oxfam are passionate about human rights. According to their website “When people speak out, change happens” – and thanks to Oxfam and the organizations and individuals standing with them, change is occurring.
To learn more about Oxfam visit their website or follow them on twitter at @Oxfam.
Acknowledging the Need to Pause
(Editor’s Note: The following is our weekly contribution about Mindful Living from Spiritual Momma Sarah Nicotra.)
I’m a go, go, go, go kind of gal. I thrive off on having multiple projects going at once. I love contributing in a most significant way to folk’s lives. I love feeding my mind with rich, stimulating and challenging material. And I love getting down in the trenches with people who need a hand. But sometimes it all becomes a bit much.
I’ve learned to embrace my sporadic bursts of energy and productivity. I have also learned to embrace my need to hit the pause button and allow for some down time.
With awards, achievements and goals on my mind, constantly- it is as if I need a fairy to visit me, granting me permission to take a break.
We all know the saying: take some time to stop and smell the roses.
Well - I am revamping that saying to include: take some time to take a nap, then go outside and smell the roses.
The reality is, that without rest and refueling my tank runs out. I can continue on fumes for a bit, but eventually I have to stop and ensure that my basic needs of rest and relaxation are being fulfilled.
So I pose to you today, as I do for myself: Is it time for you to take a pause?
Here’s the deal: excuses like “I am too busy” and “I can’t afford to….” don’t cut it. The truth is I can’t – we can’t – afford NOT to take a moment to rest up and refuel.
I have come to deeply trust that allowing time for relaxation is paramount to my zeal for life. Go, go, go is a no, no, no (wink wink). And on that note, I am off to relax- join me?
Organization Spotlight ~ World Food Programme
“I’m starving”, is a phrase so many of us inaccurately use on a regular basis when in reality we are not starving we are simply hungry. Moreover, unlike countless men, women and children across the world our hunger is easily cured with a trip to our kitchen or a local eatery. Unlike the estimated 1 out of every 7 people*, many of us don’t have to wonder where our next meal is coming from or look into to the eyes of our child and tell them there is nothing to eat.
Founded in 1963 the World Food Programme (WFP) is a voluntarily funded component of the United Nations system and the “world’s largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger”. The WFP efforts are to create a world in which everyone has access to food at all times so that they might live an active, healthy life.
Food rations such as cereals, beans, peas, bread, vegetable oil, salt and sugar are provided to communities during states of emergency whether it be war or a natural disaster. Recipients of the rations receive by way of “whatever means are available” including ship, canoe, truck, train, plane, helicopter and air drops or on the backs of animals such as donkeys, yaks or elephants.
At this time the countries primarily being served are those that are victims of natural disasters or in low income under developed communities including sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, Asia Pacific and Latin America.
Once the emergency is said to have passed, food is used as a means to assist the community in their efforts to rebuild. The WFP also seeks to assist in disaster readiness and reduce the epidemic of hunger and malnutrition while strengthening a country’s ability to do this as well.
All of WFP’s efforts are made possible not only because of the countless individuals in the field working diligently to ensure that people are not falling victim to hunger but also thanks to contributions made from government agencies, businesses and individuals who voluntarily give funds, food or items used to grow, store and cook food.
To date the WFP has provided nourishment to more than 1.4 billion people and contributed over 30 billion dollars to developing emergency relief.
To learn more about the WFP visit them online, like them on Facebook or follow them on Twitter at @WFP.
*statistic found on WFP website
Wisdom Wednesday ~ A Quote from Gloria Steinem
I love Gloria Steinem, and I am sure many of you share this sentiment, so today for Wisdom Wednesday I wanted to share quote from the Social/Political Activist/Author that paved the way for the generations that have come after her.
You can learn more about what Steinem is up to on her official website here.
Happy Wisdom Wednesday!
A Guest Post on Kris Carr’s ‘Crazy, Sexy, Life’ Blog
Many of you have likely heard the name Kris Carr. She became known after documenting her journey with terminal cancer in a film and accompanying book called Crazy, Sexy, Cancer. The film and book both gained attention and made Carr a New York Times best-seller.
Carr transformed her life after her diagnosis, becoming known for her green juice, vegan recipes, and her spiritual spin on life. She has been living a healthy life with cancer for nine years now. She truly is an inspiration.
Today, I am honored to share that an article I have written is featured on Crazy, Sexy, Life – the blog over on her site.
You can find the article, titled “Losing Judgment, Gaining Bliss” here.
Please feel free to leave a comment – I’d love to hear your thoughts!
ANNOUNCEMENT: Charitable Influence Has Launched!
It’s no secret that I’ve been plugging away with my partner Fadra (all.things.fadra) on our new venture which I blogged about a few months back. Today I am excited to share that it’s official – we have launched!
You can check out our brand new website here, and learn more about Charitable Influence, our mission, how to join, how our system works, and more of the finer details.
Charitable Influence is a space for bloggers to use their voices to raise awareness about the causes that mean the most to them. To give you an idea of the wide scope we will be covering, we are seeking bloggers who are passionate about the environment, general health, global poverty, special needs, maternal health, animal advocacy, and more.
You can take action immediately and join one of our open campaigns, or sign up and we will contact you when there is an opportunity available that suits your specific passions.
I almost forgot to mention some of the most exciting news about our launch – we have two amazing launching partners that we are more than thrilled about – KIVA, and The Humane Society of the United States. We can’t wait to add more nonprofits to the list of partners, and nonprofits can find details about how we work with them here.
Oh, and please don’t forget to add one of these lovely buttons to your site when you join – we are excited to work with you!
Recommended Reading
A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose ~ Eckhart Tolle
Change Your Thoughts - Change Your Life ~ Dr. Wayne Dyer
The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment ~ Eckhart Tolle
You Can Heal Your Life (Gift Edition) ~ Louise Hay
The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success ~ Deepak Chopra
The China Study
The Twelfth Insight: The Hour of Decision ~ James Redfield
The Alchemist ~ Paolo Coehlo
