Steadfast Beacon

As we boarded the boat for the sunset cruise around the Maine islands, I knew it would be a spectacular evening. The air was filled with the enticing aromas of grilled food and the harmonies of acoustic guitars from the Old Port eateries.
We were playing local tourists that day, doing the things we always intended to do over the years. Jim and I raced to the back of the boat, hoping to get seats with an unobstructed view of the lighthouses.

Leaving Portland Harbor, we were greeted by two seals, playing like black lab pups in the water. The lights of the city had just come on, and sparkled like diamonds from a distance.

We sat side by side in a comfortable silence, taking in the magnificence of the craggy shoreline dotted with white Adirondack chairs. Everyone aboard waved to those lucky enough to have front row seats to the Atlantic.

The first of six lighthouses, Portland Breakwater Light, came into view. I had seen each of the beacons from the land, but there was something so calming from this aspect. Each one, as we passed by seemed to say “You’re safe, stay the course.”
One in particular intrigued me – Spring Point Ledge Light. To mariners properly positioned in the channel, the light showed white. Outside of the fairway, the light was red, providing clear, unmistakable guidance, even in the worst weather.

How dangerous and unpredictable sailing must have been before these guideposts were built. And by contrast, how assuasive it had to be for those aboard to see the steadfast lights.

It was the same reassured, confident look I get from my children as our eyes meet. Whether it’s from the stage of their elementary school Christmas concert, or peering out the window of the school bus in the morning, they’re just making sure I’m there. They’re looking for that light in my eyes telling them, “You’re safe. Stay the course. I’ll be here for you.”

This T-Day, create that safe harbor for someone in your life. Let them know you’ll be a steadfast beacon they can count on when times get tough.

Our monthly Together We Can Change The World Day is about joining together to make a conscious difference.
Please visit our website at www.togetherwecanchangetheworldday.com and scroll across available service projects and add your own.

In the Stillness

I often think back to the years when I worked as a forester in Maine, and remember special, one of a kind moments. Although at the time, I’m sure I thought these were great experiences, it’s only now that I am older that I can really appreciate their value.

One rainy, late spring morning, I found myself aching to get out of the office. I don’t remember what it was that weighed on my mind that day, but I do remember the feeling of needing some space from the world, and a safe place to cry. Surely, the forest would provide solitude. I drove down the winding Canton Point Road to an area I was responsible for managing. Even though I put on my cruising vest and took the orange roll of flagging with me, I knew I had no intention of working. Soon, I found myself sitting on a boulder the size of a VW Beetle, sobbing while the rain fell all around me. An hour went by. Eventually, my tears subsided, and I was quiet in the stillness of the newly green forest. I couldn’t cry any more or even think any more so I just sat and enjoyed the peacefulness. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught some slight movement, and there she was! A dappled fawn, probably only a few weeks old, wandered not more than ten feet from the boulder. How sweet it must be to have not a care in the world.

Our encounter was fleeting, but it was long enough. She looked up at me, I looked at her and whispered, “Thanks.” Then she was off.

So often as we go through our days, we find ourselves in need of stillness, but we reject it. Doing nothing is unfortunately viewed as unproductive in these times of multitasking, texting, and social networking. Now, I know, being still can be just as productive as being busy. It’s part of my parenting repertoire these days for my five children.

When one of them is stressed, I often recommend that they spend a few moments on the porch swing. There’s a bronze plaque hung on the porch post, visible only to the person on the swing that reads “Be Still and Know that I Am”.

On T-day in June, how about offering someone time to be alone, to be still? Whether it’s a frazzled parent, or a teacher pushed to her limits by a class anxious for summer, giving each other our time is so important.
Every project is special enough to be registered on the T-day site. Your idea may spark many others to do the same. Our monthly Together We Can Change The World Day is about joining together to make a conscious difference.
Please visit our website at http://www.togetherwecanchangetheworldday.com/ and scroll across available service projects and add your own.

Have you heard the TWCCTW song?

What started out as one company's mission, has turned into a global anthem and one of the most inspirational songs ever written. "Together We Can Change The World." was published in December of 2008 by 4e Productions, a company that merges entertainment and education to enlighten, empower and enrich everyone through inspiration and collaboration. The song features then 12-year old Rilee O'Neill and The SIFA Africa Children's choir, a group of 20 homeless orphans from Uganda who were touring the U.S. to raise money to build an orphanage back in their country. Inspired by the company that bears its name, Together We Can Change the World was written by Mark Shepard and arranged by Joe Mennonna for 4e Music, as part of a musical production called "Letters to Daddy" (www.letterstodaddy.com) that is debuting next month (June 2009) at the Lycian Theatre in Sugarloaf, NY and at Center Stage Theatre in Westport, CT.

It also inspired a powerful You Tube video that was produced by First Image TV. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFy54NmYPyc. For more information about the song and how to purchase it or the sheet music, please call Bill Rodman @ 4e Productions, LLC
860-302-4253 PO Box 612 Plantsville, CT

A Fortuitous Error!

Did you happen to see Oprah earlier this week when a group called Invisible Children were allowed to tell their story? Northern Ugandan children are being forced to become soldiers for a brutal rebel group. I was so upset by this, I immediately logged onto their site and sent an email offering My PowerMall as the way for them to increase funding for their mission. Or at least I thought I was sending them an email...
Turns out, there's another group called Invisible Children (aka Kids At Risk Action, KARA) that is a non-profit advocacy network focusing on issues related to neglected and abused children. The Director, Mike Tikkanen, very kindly sent me a reply saying how he wished my email was for his group (I mentioned I had seen Oprah), but it was really meant for the group of the same name, but a .com, not .org.
"Well why don't we talk? Your mission is every bit as important as theirs!", I email back to the 'wrong' group.
This morning, Mike and I chatted for about 30 minutes about his organization's mission and their funding needs.
Invisible Children .ORG became a NPO World Changer Mall right on the spot.
"I am not a wealthy man, but I continue my work because I so believe that it is necessary to have a voice for these children."
Doesn't that sound like almost every NPO person you have ever met?

The great news is that right now, with My PowerMall, you CAN create the sustainable funding you so desperately need.

By the way, I did send another email to the 'right' Invisible Children offering help from My PowerMall. But now I know, they're both the right ones!