Are you ready for Spring? Start it by celebrating International Day of Happiness on Tuesday, March 20, with a mindful practice of mouth yoga a/k/a smiling. Smiling is one of the best ways to create positive energy inside of yourself. When you smile mindfully, your positive energy can help open your heart to more gratitude. Also, your smile also has the power to brighten another’s person’s day!
Check out my #ThrivingMindfully Podcast resources.
November is a great month to reflect on the many things I am thankful for. Women’s empowerment through creativity, education, economics, health, law enforcement, politics, reproductive health, safety, and technology is one thing I am extremely grateful for this year (every year).
2014 marks the 20th anniversary of the Rwandan genocide. In roughly 100 days, close to one million Rwandese women, men, and children were murdered. In the aftermath, women became the largest population group. In an effort to move forward, they turned to their past, reclaimed their unique heritage of weaving, and organized groups of weavers.
I remember watching the news reports on television in 1994 and thinking, “how could this happen?” When I traveled to the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women that was held in Beijing, China in 1995, I had many discussions with African women from countries bordering Rwanda. Their insights, stories, and connections to Rwandan women allowed me to have a deeper understanding of what happened.
This year, I am celebrating the creative and economic power of Rwandese women who participate in Macy’s Rwanda Path to Peace Project which was established to provide trade, not aid in 2005.
Photo Credit: Macys.com – Path to Peace baskets
Through the 10-year-old Project, Rwandese women weavers have created baskets that generate income for their families. They also receive the opportunity to actively shape their future as entrepreneurs and the future of their families, communities, and countries.
Rwanda Path to Peace basket
Check out my Path to Peace basket that Rwandese women made using sweetgrass and raffia. The design incorporates traditional Rwandan weaving techniques.
One way you can support Rwandese women is by purchasing a basket from Macy’s Path to Peace Project collection. Give it as a Thanksgiving gratitude gift or December holiday gift. Click here for more information.
Disclaimer: I am a member of the Everywhere Society and Everywhere has provided me with compensation for this post. However, all thoughts and opinions expressed herein are my own.
I just read this Helen Keller quote on my sistalove Dottie Green’s Facebook page:
“When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.”
It is so true.
Yesterday, I received three boxes filled with copies of my new book That Which Awakens Me: A Creative Woman’s Poetic Memoir of Self-Discovery (it is available on Amazon.com now – http://tiny.cc/6pfMW) from my publisher. It was humbling to open the boxes and look at the physical manifestation of a seed Creator planted in my womb many moons ago. I sat in silence for a few moments and just gave thanks. My heart was so full. I was speechless. Yes me chatty Cathy who always has a word or two to share. The beauty of the moment was INCROYABLE (incredible as the French say)!
As I read through the book, I thought about all of the people who have come in and out of my creative life. I also thought about the support and inspiration I received from various online and offline communities. WOW! I know I have been blessed!
What came up next were thoughts about a few folks who have moved out of my creative life. Their departures reminded me that physical, emotional, spiritual, and relationship releases always come when I birth a dream into the universe. It also fits with the release work I have been doing with support from my life coach Yael. So I am not surprised. That’s just par for the course.
Lately, I have been having a lot of intuitive experiences that connect me to just the right energy, quote, article, book, conversation, music or creative event that offers wisdom on release. What a blessing! These experiences are expanding my awareness and opening my heart so I can give thanks and move forward into greater blessings, experiences, and growth opportunities.
Many thanks to everyone who has played a role in my creative life!
Enjoy your holidays!
Peace, Light, Love, Compassion, Gratitude, and Laughter,
Ananda Leeke 