The Ripple Effect
"Be the change you wish to see in the world."
Mahatma Gandhi
At Santosha Yoga, we believe that each one of us has a responsibility to travel the right path. We must recognize that all that we do will have an effect on other beings and on the environment of this planet. Before taking action, think about what sort of waves will radiate from that action. Let your ripple effect be a positive one!
One of the ways I choose to make a positive Ripple Effect is to write a Guest Column for the Courier-Tribune. I chose to address environmental issues this year, and below is the first column published April 20th 2008, Earth Day! And below that is the last article I submitted called The Ripple Effect!
Mahatma Gandhi
At Santosha Yoga, we believe that each one of us has a responsibility to travel the right path. We must recognize that all that we do will have an effect on other beings and on the environment of this planet. Before taking action, think about what sort of waves will radiate from that action. Let your ripple effect be a positive one!
One of the ways I choose to make a positive Ripple Effect is to write a Guest Column for the Courier-Tribune. I chose to address environmental issues this year, and below is the first column published April 20th 2008, Earth Day! And below that is the last article I submitted called The Ripple Effect!
Summer 2008
Welcome to the Club! Article
Welcome to the Club!
I humbly welcome you to the club of people on Earth who care about our home. You get no decal for your car, nor certificate of recognition and you won’t be inducted into this club, you were already born into it! We are all members!
From the moment you entered the atmosphere, everything you ate and everything you touched, has come from this place. And returns to it. We actually cycle the elements through our body. We are what we eat, breathe and drink, taking the elements from the world around us. (One of my friends said her body was made of rice…I think mine is lately made of chocolate.)
Now that I’ve brought this to your attention, you will probably begin to notice that many of the people you know have been aware of their membership for a while now. Do you know anyone who recycles her cans or newspapers? Have you seen the spiraling energy efficient light bulbs yet? You’d have to be pretty secluded not to have noticed people becoming concerned about gas mileage in their cars. Active membership in Club Earth begins when you make the connection between your behavior and its effects on the Earth’s resources.
As a member of this growing tribe, you will have many benefits.
Your air will be fresher, your water, cleaner.
Your diet will become healthier and so will your body.
Your grandchildren will thank you before you die for realizing in time that you have to leave something for them.
I am optimistic as I see the surge in active participation in this caring community.
Many people I know love to share with me the green efforts they practice in their own lives. There are books, articles and even TV commercials telling us what to do to “Save the Earth”. You can’t miss them. In case you have missed them, you could go to my friend’s site, http://taoofchange.com/ and educate yourself.
Schools now incorporate programs that lead our children towards earth stewardship in their adulthood. The state’s Department of Environment and Natural Resources funds a program to certify educators in Environmental training. (go to http://www.eenorthcarolina.org/certification.htm to learn more)
And now, in our own backyard, Asheboro has begun to incorporate recycling!
Richard Stengel, reporter for the Times said that in 2007, “green became the new red, white and blue”. So now Earth-friendly behavior shows us to be caring (and politically correct) citizens of our national and hence our global community!
It really is not that hard. Sorting trash? That’s not so bad. Replacing light bulbs? Piece of cake. Purchasing a hybrid vehicle? Why not? The Honda Prius costs less than the average SUV! Choosing leaders who know they must support this club? Absolutely!
The point is we each (corporations included) must do something that will define our place and time on this planet as a caring citizen rather than as an “exploiter”. Let us not be remembered by our grandchildren as “the generation who treated the Earth like a paper plate”(just use it up and throw it out)! We do not have the freedom to be apathetic any longer. It has become urgent that every one of us realizes his participation in the club is not optional, and no one is exempt! And now, we will be held accountable for our behavior.
We can begin with baby steps. We have much support. Remember that we are all members of this club! Those of us who have been consciously participating in Club Earth for a while now can renew our commitment so that we can model for and encourage newcomers. Members new and old: step up with me and tell us about your journey towards earth-wide earth-awareness. How have you made a difference in your own local, national and global community? Send me an email with comments and questions. Or write a letter to the editor. Tell your friends what you are doing! Everyone knows the best clubs are the ones that encourage participation and communication among its members. (Maybe we do need a decal for our cars!)
I encourage you to participate. Your neighbors encourage you to participate. And especially your children encourage you to participate!
Native Greensboroan Thomas Berry says we must think of the earth inhabitants as a “community of subjects rather than as a collection of objects.”
The effects of our behaviors impact everything, human and non-human on the planet.
Becoming aware of this dynamic is the first step in bringing about the changes necessary to keep our home healthy.
Welcome to Club Earth, sincerely, I look forward to hearing from you!
Courier-Tribune Friday Dec 5th, 2008
The Ripple Effect
Drop a pebble into the surface of a still pond and watch the tiny waves ripple away from the center. Concentric circles moving out from the initial disturbance eventually make their way to the shore. In some way, that shoreline has been affected. In a similar way, the results of everything we do or say ultimately bump up against someone or something to elicit a change. What sort of ripples do you emit? I believe that each one of us has a responsibility to travel a “right” path. I have made a conscious decision: I am attempting to spread only positive ripples in my life, ones that promote Peace on Earth.
I still have a childlike notion that big changes can be made by simply shifting our intentions. I believe that we can find peace on earth, end world hunger and save the planet. I see an end to war, an end to abuse and an end to exploitation of the world’s resources. I am ready to see these wonderful events happen right now. This idea is not childlike, I think it is trust coming from an open heart. Call me naïve, but I am not the only one, for Mother Theresa said, “Peace begins with a smile.” And the simple words of Rodney King repeat it, as he appealed to the rioters of LA during his trial in 1992, “People, I just want to say,…can we all get along?”
It doesn’t have to be complicated when we bring Peace to our own local community. Simply make a promise to yourself, perhaps even look in a mirror to do it face-to-face, that “Just for Today, I choose Peace”. And then use your hands, feet and tongue, (in yoga we call these our main Organs of Action) to avoid conflict. Make it a point to act like that pebble and create waves of Ahimsa (“non-violence” in Sanskrit). They needn’t be large, even tiny ones will eventually make their way to shorelines throughout the universe.
Americans have been able to accomplish some huge tasks. In an article by John McConnell, (founder of Earth Day) at http://www.peaceonearth.net/, he points out,
“The United States … spend(s) billions for bombs -- and pennies for peace. Were the money devoted to our vast military establishment given to global education that would foster peace, justice and a sustainable future, there would be no more wars and we could have a future of peaceful progress.” When I first read this, I thought, “Our government needs to mend its ways!” Perhaps this is why it is taking so long for Peace on Earth to happen, we tend to think it is someone else’s job to take action. But no matter what the institutions of power do, it is ultimately the individual who is responsible for bringing that change to life! The Dalai Lama said, “Although attempting to bring about world peace through the internal transformation of individuals is difficult, it is the only way.” Even Michael Jackson promotes this consciousness in his popular song: “I’m starting with the man in the mirror, I’m asking him to change his ways.”
I know a few people who recognize this dynamic I call The Ripple Effect.
My friend Holly, also a yoga teacher, says she likes to spread joy wherever she goes…she says it is like sprinkling fairy dust around!
My friend Dr. Todd is a glowing example of generosity and compassion. He gives in a variety of ways to end suffering in this community. Whether it is sharing his medical expertise, coaching soccer or supporting youth theater, I wouldn’t be surprised if you have been touched by his ripples too! He embodies Christ’s Golden Rule, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
Mark lives here in Asheboro and is a teacher in Siler City. My husband and I had dinner with him and his wife the other night. Mark wanted to drive all the way back to the community where he had worked all week to support a local coffee shop. While we were there several students of his, past and present, flagged him down to chat. It was clear by his conversation that he took a sincere interest in every one of them! You can see his ripples like waves from a great distance as he mentors these teenagers.
C.L., my friend from up Liberty way, taught me about giving. He supports local farmers and artisans and provides a place on his family farm for young people to experiment with sustainable energy and gardening. He sees a need and provides for it in whatever way he can, generously and unconditionally. His ripples have touched me and in turn encouraged me to contribute to humanity in whatever positive ways I can.
I believe we have the capacity to transform our world. I believe we have the responsibility to do so. When we realize this task falls upon each and every one of us, it doesn’t appear to be so daunting. We need to step up, take action and encourage others to join the club! Let us all begin to build Peace on Earth by simply acting peaceful! The signature in all of my emails ends with a Mahatmas Gandhi quote, to remind us all of this challenge: “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”
Not naïve at all: powerful, very powerful.
~namaste
Drop a pebble into the surface of a still pond and watch the tiny waves ripple away from the center. Concentric circles moving out from the initial disturbance eventually make their way to the shore. In some way, that shoreline has been affected. In a similar way, the results of everything we do or say ultimately bump up against someone or something to elicit a change. What sort of ripples do you emit? I believe that each one of us has a responsibility to travel a “right” path. I have made a conscious decision: I am attempting to spread only positive ripples in my life, ones that promote Peace on Earth.
I still have a childlike notion that big changes can be made by simply shifting our intentions. I believe that we can find peace on earth, end world hunger and save the planet. I see an end to war, an end to abuse and an end to exploitation of the world’s resources. I am ready to see these wonderful events happen right now. This idea is not childlike, I think it is trust coming from an open heart. Call me naïve, but I am not the only one, for Mother Theresa said, “Peace begins with a smile.” And the simple words of Rodney King repeat it, as he appealed to the rioters of LA during his trial in 1992, “People, I just want to say,…can we all get along?”
It doesn’t have to be complicated when we bring Peace to our own local community. Simply make a promise to yourself, perhaps even look in a mirror to do it face-to-face, that “Just for Today, I choose Peace”. And then use your hands, feet and tongue, (in yoga we call these our main Organs of Action) to avoid conflict. Make it a point to act like that pebble and create waves of Ahimsa (“non-violence” in Sanskrit). They needn’t be large, even tiny ones will eventually make their way to shorelines throughout the universe.
Americans have been able to accomplish some huge tasks. In an article by John McConnell, (founder of Earth Day) at http://www.peaceonearth.net/, he points out,
“The United States … spend(s) billions for bombs -- and pennies for peace. Were the money devoted to our vast military establishment given to global education that would foster peace, justice and a sustainable future, there would be no more wars and we could have a future of peaceful progress.” When I first read this, I thought, “Our government needs to mend its ways!” Perhaps this is why it is taking so long for Peace on Earth to happen, we tend to think it is someone else’s job to take action. But no matter what the institutions of power do, it is ultimately the individual who is responsible for bringing that change to life! The Dalai Lama said, “Although attempting to bring about world peace through the internal transformation of individuals is difficult, it is the only way.” Even Michael Jackson promotes this consciousness in his popular song: “I’m starting with the man in the mirror, I’m asking him to change his ways.”
I know a few people who recognize this dynamic I call The Ripple Effect.
My friend Holly, also a yoga teacher, says she likes to spread joy wherever she goes…she says it is like sprinkling fairy dust around!
My friend Dr. Todd is a glowing example of generosity and compassion. He gives in a variety of ways to end suffering in this community. Whether it is sharing his medical expertise, coaching soccer or supporting youth theater, I wouldn’t be surprised if you have been touched by his ripples too! He embodies Christ’s Golden Rule, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
Mark lives here in Asheboro and is a teacher in Siler City. My husband and I had dinner with him and his wife the other night. Mark wanted to drive all the way back to the community where he had worked all week to support a local coffee shop. While we were there several students of his, past and present, flagged him down to chat. It was clear by his conversation that he took a sincere interest in every one of them! You can see his ripples like waves from a great distance as he mentors these teenagers.
C.L., my friend from up Liberty way, taught me about giving. He supports local farmers and artisans and provides a place on his family farm for young people to experiment with sustainable energy and gardening. He sees a need and provides for it in whatever way he can, generously and unconditionally. His ripples have touched me and in turn encouraged me to contribute to humanity in whatever positive ways I can.
I believe we have the capacity to transform our world. I believe we have the responsibility to do so. When we realize this task falls upon each and every one of us, it doesn’t appear to be so daunting. We need to step up, take action and encourage others to join the club! Let us all begin to build Peace on Earth by simply acting peaceful! The signature in all of my emails ends with a Mahatmas Gandhi quote, to remind us all of this challenge: “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”
Not naïve at all: powerful, very powerful.
~namaste
Howling Svanasanas
Arts Alive! at Hopewell
Art's Alive at Hopewell Elementary School
My daughter (my partner) and I spent Friday, October 24th sharing Yoga with kindergarten and first-graders at Hopewell School in Trinity for an event called Arts Alive! Their fabulous art teacher, Cori Cagle invited 29 people to share their gifts and talents with the little people, encouraging them to let their creative spirit's soar in many ways!
Check out this photo of us all acting like doggies stretching and howling in Urdhva Muka Svanasana (Upward facing dog)! We had a great time and it would only have been better if we could have visited the other artist's in action too!
Thank you for the opportunity to share Yoga, Cori!
Check out this photo of us all acting like doggies stretching and howling in Urdhva Muka Svanasana (Upward facing dog)! We had a great time and it would only have been better if we could have visited the other artist's in action too!
Thank you for the opportunity to share Yoga, Cori!
Mentoring Senior Projects
Sometimes we use a chair to support us! This is Calline, one of my mentees.
Environmental Awareness
Click on these links to see some of the workshops we have held at Santosha Yoga to help educate our local community about global Green concerns. My friend Gary Cameron, the dentist, told me once years and years ago, to think about something you'd like to see happen in this world, and then do it right here at home. (Now we all have heard of the phrase, "Think Globally, Act Locally") It was good advice then and it still is! What is something you'd like to see happen in the world???
http://rainbarrelsatsantosha.blogspot.com/
http://lawnreduction.blogspot.com/
http://rainbarrelsatsantosha.blogspot.com/
http://lawnreduction.blogspot.com/
