Monday, April 28, 2014

Lost and Found


Days pass, moving forward into weeks. I am unable to write, the action that comes closest to elation for me.

I feel lost, inert.

I am stunned, horror stricken, unable to gain momentum.

I check out CNN online for news; headlines reminiscent of Ripley’s “Believe It Or Not” my mother insisted I not visit as a kid. Still there is enough that is worthy of return, at times.

Once more, for the thirtieth time in one day, I check the weather report on my smartphone.

I feel upside down and think myself like Humpty Dumpty, yet am unable to make any sense of the “why.”

Again to CNN before my work day officially begins.

Then it comes to me; the items that seize my somewhat jaded attention.

Hundreds of high school students meet a terrifying, heart-rending death aboard a sinking holiday-intended ferry boat in South Korea; the missing plane, Malaysia 370, close to twenty deaths so far in the Midwest, resulting from tornados.

I think back on the datelines, especially the ferry boat sinking.

Where was I? Where were you? Where are they, the victims, and the thousands of friends and relatives of the victims of these catastrophes?

I look outside my bedroom window. The sun shines and I contemplate taking a midday break to do my mountain road walk. It seems the temperature will be warm enough.

I am grateful to be alive and have sunshine this day!

Reflecting on recent days past, I remember that my car was hit by a deer, not long before that ferry boat began to sink.

Also, I had, then, just located several long lost relatives but had not, yet, been able to see them; losses and gains.

I have been unable to write, have had nothing to say.

I picture an equivalent number of deer on my front lawn as have died in that ferry boat sinking.

I feel sick, horrified. How has humankind come to this with all its many advantages? In particular, if the captain, crew and others are culpable?

Then an email arrives from a journalist friend. A soon-to-be-published editorial comment, enclosed, affirms my own values of people for one another, not divided. The piece reminds me that in a world in which we “swim in a culture rife with polarization and fragmentation,” it doesn’t need to be this way.

I realize I am among the fortunate to have friends like this who are, every day doing their best to be the “possible human in the possible society.” All is not lost.

The words of “Amazing Grace” come to my mind, prompting me to think of New Horizons’s new Sohbet/study group and the synergy budding there among participants.

The Sohbet/study group is a new endeavor, but already it is a place where I can find myself, albeit briefly and intermittently. Even now it is becoming important to me; a port where, for a time, though by conference call connection, lost me becomes found me as we work, together, intending to turn lead into gold, traveling with others.

I wish I could take the whole group home with me.

I pray those who have or are lost through these tragedies, too, are, not only lost but  found.

Friday, April 18, 2014

If you’d like to travel with us --

Things have a way of unfolding, superficially, these days on a grand scale, yet without much substance. They are here today and gone tomorrow; a fate I, personally, do not cherish.

The Small “Zones Of Peace” Project, sponsored by New Horizons Support Network, Inc. does not subscribe to this fast-paced way of traveling through life. We are always after turning the lead into the gold. The latter takes time, patience and more patience.
We want to travel
with you!

On the other hand, we must be realistic. The world of Future Shock is upon us, now. And we are called to manage new ways of doing and being, even if we do not like them (maybe we will later). We wonder, not infrequently, how to develop substance given the limits of present conditions.

But life being what it is these days, we have decided to make a few huge adjustments. This means we will, now, seek ways to expand our interactive-dependent Bus Ride Story Adventure, Coffee House Conversations community-unity building model, our Cultural Mediation Paradigm and our various other programs and projects on the internet. Somehow this will, also, include the wonderful treats of our Abkhazian Dinner program. (You will, however, need to supply your own food.)

We will still continue to do our best to bring real live humans, together, face-to-face, with other real live humans. However, we will now, also, stretch ourselves and our skills online too.

But don’t be fooled by our efforts for an expanded presence, here; substance and surface are not necessarily easy partners. 

We will still need to take time to grow, develop, nurture and mature our intention – to bring about a flourishing result; the “awe” of turning lead into gold that is our standard. 


We are not even certain we can achieve this. So don’t expect too much from this new initiative.  Nothing substitutes for living, breathing human beings.

Nonetheless, having determined this direction, you can, now, look forward to garnering more and more tips and tools on --

“How to become the best possible human in the best possible society” 

-- the New Horizons’ Small “Zones of Peace” Project way from here forth, beginning today. 

You can be a part of our unfolding – and develop more of your own -- by following our blog postings and radio shows, imperfect as they and we are.

In fact, on last night’s Possible Society In Motion Radio Show, we discussed “Being the change” we are seeking by taking risks to expand our comfort zones. Today, we are doing just that, here.

So let the good times and the Easter eggs roll!

And, have a very happy holiday weekend.

Best wishes,

Anastasia and Sue
Small "Zones Of Peace" Co-Creators

Thursday, April 17, 2014

Being the change




Thursday, April 17   6:30 p.m.

With co-hosts, Anastasia Rosen-Jones and Jack Slattery
We each have a critical eye which sees EVERYTHING that’s wrong with the world.  We each have a complaining voice which can go on and on about these things.  We swim in a culture rife with polarization and fragmentation. But it does not have to be this way!

There is good news.  Not by “seeing the world through rose-colored glasses” or ignoring the bad to see only the good. But by mining the lead of our social problems, we can turn these into the gold of solutions that make a difference; one day at a time, one person at a time.

By learning to utilize Anastasia’s recently introduced “Lean In Legacy Template” the new centerfold of the Possible Society In Motion Radio Show, each and every one of us can exercise our innate human capacities to be the change we are seeking, individually and collectively.

Co-hosts, Anastasia and Jack, focus on the element of "change" as the focus of this intriguing episode, tonight at 6:30 p.m. 

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Anatomy of A Bus Ride Story Adventure

Don’t you wish you could travel with us to “awe” and not leave the comfort of your living room?

You can, if you are a qualified participant in our Possible Human, Possible Society Study.

We will be back on the road, again,

Thursday, April 10

6:30 p.m.

Agenda: Exploring the “Anatomy of A Bus Ride Story Adventure

Please join us!

We want to travel with you.
For details, contact Anastasia
Cell: 240.409.5347 email: zonesofpeacenh@aol.com


Thursday, April 3, 2014

Leaning In and The Building of A Non-Violent Culture


Tonight on The Possible Society In Motion Radio Show!

Anastasia and Jack expand upon recent discussions of Anastasia’s recipe/formula, The “Lean In Legacy Template,” as an antidote to the poison of polarization.

In this episode, they relate the formula to remeding the most extreme manifestation of polarization; violence deterrence!

“Leaning In And The Building of A Non-Violent Culture”
Thursday evening, April 3, 2014
6:30 p.m.

Join us!

Listen in on-air, 6:30 p.m.

Join in for conference call discussion forum, 7:00 pm till ??????