Friday, December 30, 2016

When the 'Force" Is Disturbed: What Do I/We Do? Podcast

When the world is in chaos and our hopes and dreams seem to be tumbling down, to what (and where) do we turn?  

Hear how Anastasia, “honorary” mother and daughter, Terry, come to grips with their different perspectives on living through these troubled times.



After I, Anastasia had written and posted my last “Zones of Peace” blog, “A Making Violence Obsolete Holiday Reflection”, I rather thought my work was done for the year.  I had found my peace, after the horrific, just past, campaign cycle and election, and felt rather settled as to how I would manage the fear and threatening disorder it had brought about. Donald Trump’s election was, as our next president, not unexpectedly bringing a strong sense of dis-ease into my life and to those around me; a fearfulness such as no one I know had ever felt after a presidential election.

From this newly resolved – or is that “resigned” ?? – position I had decided that a paradigm shift was in order, if I was to let go of the threatened stance I had adopted during the campaign – and—immediately after, once the outcome of the presidential election race had been determined. This, it seemed, had to be the only sane way to go in this incredibly insane world within which we were now living in the United States as it was also around the globe.

It was from this position that I eagerly and confidently approached my radio show planning meeting with my honorary daughter, Terry. Assured that that last blog of mine could give she and I a relatively easy template from which to create our show, I found myself in for a surprise. No slam dunk, this one!

Yes, Terry, definitely agreed with me that, as I had written --
These are challenging times, no doubt about it.
But was she settled about the situation? She was not!

Hear how Terry and myself worked through our differences on the Anastasia The Storyteller Radio Show titled --


When the 'Force" Is Disturbed: What Do I/We Do?
P.S. The poem Terry read on this show was written by Katherine Stafford, dated 2005,






Thursday, December 22, 2016

A Making Violence Obsolete Holiday Reflection

Anastasia The Super Sleuth Says –

At this holiday season I hope you are taking time to look deep inside and asking yourself, what is mine to do so that we may all move through the chaos we are currently experiencing into the peace and unity for which most of us yearn.

Here is my personal contemplation on the issue (also posted on Anastasia The Storyteller)

These are challenging times, no doubt about it.

I don’t know about you, but times of stress and distress, such as these, lead me, now and then, to just sit back and reassess perspectives. Given how 2016 has turned out, with our horrendous election campaign as a backdrop for almost anything and everything else that has happened this year, I am going back over the premises with which I began 2016 to see if and how they still hold true.

A significant paradigm shift seems to be in the offing. Where shall it take me; from what and where to a different what and  where?

In particular I feel drawn to contemplating my commitment to peace and unity and to building these wherever I can. Akin to this theme is my considering, once again, where the necessity for polarization and the upheaval and chaos this can breed fits in.

I have long believed that periods of polarization, inevitable as they are, need, on occasion, to precede true peace and unity, if we as a species are to function at our optimum levels. Such times are essential to the creative process that fosters growth and improvements, serving as a balancing agent.

Might I have, however, been off in my thinking that peace and unity should hold such a high priority as they have in my value system?

Have I, in prioritizing these, as I have, overlooked other essentials?

Have I significantly disregarded viewpoints that are markedly different than mine in my quest for this idealistic state of my vision that I call peace and unity?

In doing so, did I cut myself off from the caring and compassion I might have been more generous in giving had I been heedful of people who are distinctly different than me?

I/we did pay close attention to the issues raised by the Black Lives Matter movement. But in doing so were there others, perhaps less vocal, in need that I/we ignored?

These are questions I feel called to consider right now as we head into the holidays in the midst of the divisiveness and polarization that Donald Trump has successfully fomented. Even with the abundance of commentary by wise and thoughtful journalists that I read, especially those of such as the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal and the Washington Post, I still feel mystified and, of course, concerned about where we Americans are now as a country and where we are headed.

One of the things I am going to be closely examining in the weeks ahead is what New Horizons Possible Human, Possible Society study data, to date, can help me see and how best to proceed, now, with it to aid my settling of things, currently troubling my mind. Look for updates on our study as we move into 2017. Today we are already beginning this review, as intended after the election, regardless of how it would turn out, 

Since my final years in under graduate school in the mid-1980s I have been a devotee of Marilyn Ferguson’s Aquarian Conspiracy: Personal And Social Transformation In Our Time which I first read at that time. One of the most helpful pieces of information introduced in that book was the Nobel prize winning work of Ilya Prigogine in the field of chemistry. Since I learned of it, Prigogine’s theory of dissipative structures, more than any other theory has provided me with a viable way of viewing times of high stress, such as this year, has been without totally freaking out! 

The main point I found useful, to apply to my life and those who I have guided, is the notion that when an organism is overloaded with stimuli it will fragment and then re-organize at a higher level!! We humans are organisms that fit into this theory. And, to the person, we are grossly overloaded! Does this signal that we are now on the brink of personal as well as societal transformation – and not on the “Eve of Destruction” as many fear that we are?

I sure hope so!

“The Morning After,” the theme song from the movie “The Poseidon Adventure” has also been a companion to me in times of volatility such as these. Future Shock by Alvin Toffler, at an earlier time, decades ago, gave me a way to look at monumental societal changes and make some modicum of sense of it all. It did help!

We need astute, well-documented works such as Ferguson’s and Toffler’s to help us attain some worthy meaning of these troubled times. And music such as “The Morning After,” sung by Maureen McGovern, to help lift our spirits and affirm our hopes and dreams.

As we head, now, into the spiritually uplifting end of the year holidays of the Winter Solstice, Christmas, Chanukah, the Hadj and the New Year, I know I am going to be spending some of my time rethinking former perspectives. I know others will be doing similarly. Finding one’s center of gravity and holding onto to it is especially challenging this year with so much divisiveness surrounding us.

I am heading into the holiday season with an eye, most of all, to moving through the present upheaval surrounding us on every side.  And beyond into next year with some kind of paradigm shift that will help me update the inner map of my body, mind and spirit. 

With this in mind, I want, at this time, to continue to hold on to my belief in miracles. I do believe in miracles. Right now I am praying for one or two.

Anastasia and the New Horizons Board of Directors wish you good cheer and a miracle, here and there!



Tuesday, December 20, 2016

There Was A Spiritual Side To Celebrating Fifty Years

Please read my 50th Anniversary Celebration story on Anastasia The Storyteller.  

Let me share with you how Light came into an otherwise, icy, dreary, oops – "we’re gonna need to cancel this affair day."

Best wishes for your holiday season as it comes closer and closer.

Anastasia 

Tuesday, December 13, 2016

New Horizons To Honor Executive Director

Board Members of the New Horizons Support Network, Inc. will honor Executive Director, Anastasia Rosen-Jones with an anniversary celebration Saturday, December 17, following this week's Making Violence Obsolete training group (see details below).

Read Anastasia's bio and about her courageous handling of threatened blindness and eight years of actual blindness and recovery from it. (As of this date, Anastasia has once again lost her eyesight in her right eye).
















In the event of inclement weather, contact Sue deVeer at 240.367.4403 for rain date, tba



Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Making Violence Obsolete Training To Feature Bus Ride Story Adventure

Making Violence Obsolete 'Experiment' participants are in for a holiday treat as their next training day will feature Murat Yagan’s Bus Ride Story Adventure.

Read that story now, The Bus Ride Story Adventure, if you want to try on a bit of hope for the New Year, 2017!

Saturday December 17
2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Frederick Friends Meeting House
Frederick, Maryland


For qualified "Experiment" participants only.

Training format available to the general public by special arrangement.

What a wonderful way this will be to wrap up a most unusual and oftentimes disconcerting year!

Here are a few thoughts to consider if you wish to be a part of the adventure.
  • Ask yourself, have I ever considered that a bus ride could become a small "zone of peace"?
  • If so, would I know how to create this outcome?
New Horizons knows that it can do that – and -- 
how it can!  

We will be glad to share what we know with you!


Or invite us to guide your group, club or organization onto this awesome adventure, the Bus Ride Story Adventure. Let us create the experience in your personal venue. 

We will be most happy to draw upon the gifts of our Wise Woman's Tool Box and from our intriguing Bus Ride Story Adventure to create an awesome experience for your friends, family, neighborhood, group or organization.

Coming soon in late 2017: The Bus Ride Story Adventure
For the real, on a live charter bus adventure, follow our blog for details.

Contact: Anastasia Rosen-Jones
Executive Director 
New Horizons Support Network, Inc.
Cell: 240.409.5347, Email: SuperSleuthDSW@aol.com


Find out for yourself what is in
the Wise Woman's Tool box!



Sunday, December 4, 2016

Making Violence Obsolete #101: Re-Routing Subtle Violence

The members of New Horizons newly formed Making Violence Obsolete “Experiment” want you to know what Lesson One brought us as we took the opportunity in the midst of our “lesson plan” to re-route subtle violence.

By the time we had finished a long day of seminar, work projects at our Harpers Ferry Retreat Center (the last minute arranged location of yesterday’s training), potluck dinner and lots of leisurely hanging out – WOW!

We got to AWE!! Amazing!

Here is our summary of how we did it!

Lesson Theme: "Traveling With Us" took an unexpected turn that led us to “teachable moments” on one of our main “experiment” principles -- 

Subtle violence is not so subtle… when you’re the target! 

As a working experimental community, we learned a lot by digging deeply into the mechanism called “discounting,” that lies behind “subtle violence.”

Understanding and applying workable solutions to these counterproductive concepts, in action, rapidly moved us to the fore, yesterday, of New Horizons unique small “zones of peace” approach to Making Violence Obsolete. 

You can do it too, if you hold that charity (i.e. practicing even “subtle non-violence”) begins at home!


We will show you how! 


So what do these terms, “subtle violence” and “discounting,” mean? 

Discounting defined: Discounting means to, generally without awareness, minimize or ignore data that that has to do with an individual, a situation or the solving of a problem.

Subtle violence defined here:

As a team we got stuck for awhile midway through our initial “Lesson One Theme: Traveling With Us.” But that simply took our developing counterculture community immediately and spontaneously to the next higher level.  

WOW! It was gorgeous!

Consequences of our snag/stuckness: Polarization, briefly

Characteristics of our polarization:
  • Defensiveness on the part of certain members;
  • Emotional barriers;
  • Communication Breakdown;
We got unstuck through applying the principles of ---

1. Dialogue versus debate
2. Various potions applied from the Wise Woman’s Tool Box, guided by Anastasia (me).
Wise Woman's Tool Box


And ended up, by re-routing subtle violence, in awe!  


Amazing!

If you are inclined, try us, you’ll love us (or soon learn to)!

You’ve got to live it to IT to truly know IT

IT = how New Horizons travels to AWE!

Next Making Violence Obsolete Experiment training date:

Making Violence Obsolete #101

Workshop Lesson #2: Introducing the Bus Ride Story Adventure

Saturday, December 17, 2016

Location: Frederick Friends Meeting House
Frederick, Maryland

See basic details here for participation.

Monday, November 28, 2016

Making Violence Obsolete #101 To Be Offered

Begins Saturday, December 3 
2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Frederick Friends Meeting House
Frederick, Maryland

This week’s workshop session open only to 
The Wise Woman"
Tool Box.

pre-qualified experiment participants.

Topics: 
Guided by gifts from the Wise Woman’s Tool Box

Contact: Anastasia Rosen-Jones
Executive Director and Founder 
New Horizons Support Network, Inc.
Cell: 240.409.5347, Email: SuperSleuthDSW@aol.com

Accreditation standards and certification program process now in progress
  • Meets first and third Saturdays monthly (subject to change);
  • Fees required: $10 per student, per session – urged for Frederick County residents, according to ability;
  • Funding by individual donors, corporate sponsors and foundation grants;
  • Application and tuition fees apply to residents outside of Frederick County.
Project training and certification open to all qualified students. 


Join us, if you sincerely want to travel with us – 
and -- have what we are looking for as like-minded kindred spirits,  






Even a bus!





Saturday, November 26, 2016

Exploring The Spiritual Side Of Society And Politics And The Gifts of Elders

Listen to our podcast from yesterday's Anastasia The Storyteller Radio Show on 



an inspiring exchange between Anastasia and her honorary daughter Terry on the gifts of elders during challenging times in our society and politics such as we are now experiencing.

Every young adult needs at least one good "Elder" to help light the way. 

Hear Terry's version of how she found her "Elder" in Anastasia and 
the New Horizons Support Network Community


More on  the "spiritual side" of Anastasia and Terry

Monday, November 21, 2016

OVERCOMING THE POLARIZATION OF POLITICS: EVENT REFLECTIONS

I am thinking today about the notion of Divine Chaos; how I see it playing out in my personal life and in the greater world around me. Having been completely opposed to Donald Trump as president although not too crazy about Hillary though I thought her extremely capable and “presidential,” I am now stuck, as are millions of others, with adjusting to our new, unwanted reality.

What to do? What to do?

Is this Divine Chaos from which we will all rise in time like the phoenix bird rising?

Or, is this simply the time of Armageddon, the end times awaiting?  Wait and see, wait and see!

One thing for New Horizons and myself to do was, of course, our “Overcoming The Polarization of Politics” conversation last Saturday. My board and myself were gratified with this occasion that permitted us to join with others, in our local community of Frederick, Maryland, to share our immediate thoughts and feelings, about the generally unforeseen election outcome. 

In addition to the open, non-threatening discussions we had, in both small and larger group formats, the outstanding takeaway for me was the opportunity the event gave me of experiencing the resiliency of attendees who were predominantly liberal leaning.

This article in its entirety is posted as follows…



Saturday, November 12, 2016

Be The Leader YOU Want To Follow

Do yourself a favor, especially, if you are having post-election stress, read this article in its entirety.

Yesterday morning I was struck by a CNN headline titled “Baffled Dems Have No Leader, No Bench To Pull From.” Before half a minute I found myself reacting with indignation at the notion. Not long after the words of my esteemed mentor, Martin G. Groder, M.D., echoed in my mind, from years back in the days when I sought out guidance from his brand of wisdom to help me make sense of Watergate and Nixon’s betrayal of the American people. 

The promptings of the CNN article, added to the enormous upheaval facing our nation at this time, led me do my best to lay out a mini set of strategies to help guide my readers, especially the voting youth of our country, through this challenging time.

I hope, if you like what New Horizons and myself have been offering you up until now, you will take the time to read the full version of my article, paying particular attention to the links included in it.  All totaled my article, combined with these links, is on the way to being foundational as a guidebook. 

I doubt I will have time to prepare this guidebook for the worthy "survival manual" it could become. (If someone could assist me in preparing it, I would possible take up the task. But not on my own. The task is too big.So, please do take advantage of the industriousness that went into preparing this one blog article for you.

And, if you are so inspired, let me hear from you with your comments and requests for my personal assistance.  I/We are in this post-election chaos and crisis together -- and --together we must get through it to the other side where the Light is beyond the Dark.


Contact: Anastasia Rosen-Jones
Email: HarpersFerryNH@aol.com Cell: 240.409.5347

Wednesday, November 9, 2016

Healing The Wounds That Divide Us

I want to learn how to now --

“Overcome The Polarization of Politics’

I want to learn, now, how to heal the wounds that divide us.

What about you? 

What do you want, now, that our horrible, awful divisive election campaign is over?

I want to heal the estrangements of humanity in this country, that is why the New Horizons’ Small “Zones of Peace” Project is sponsoring a next Coffee House Conversation focused on --


“Overcoming The Polarization of Politics:
Healing The Wounds That Divide Us”


We have been polarized! No doubt about it!

But polarization does not need to be a way of life! 

Meaningful, bridge building conversation can be your style as it is mine.



That’s the “Zones of Peace” way, the exceptional way, the life as art way.


Frederick Friends Meeting House 
723 N. Market Street

Saturday, November 19, 2016 
2:00 to 4:00 p.m.


Potluck follows program. Bring a dish to share.

A small “zone of peace” can be anywhere.

Why not join us in building one in Frederick’s backyard and beyond? 

Let us now join together in grace; winners or losers!

(Outside area guests also welcome.)

Reserve early, space is limited!
(Donations are encouraged)

For Details and Reservations, Contact: Anastasia Rosen-Jones
Email: HarpersFerryNH@aol.com Cell: 240.409.5347

Sunday, November 6, 2016

A Most Enlightening (End of) Summer In The Mountains Gathering

Want to warm your heart, read “Shining A Light On New Horizons Council of Elders.”

As we brought our Summer In The Mountains community gatherings to an official close last night, out in the woods at our Beloved fire circle, Paul, my collaborator Sue’s husband, our official videographer of the event, captured the essence of how profound and powerful was this year’s conclusion.  

The grand finale was of Sue and I lighting our “anniversary” cake which says it all in spirit, pictures and Paul’s words –
“From a single candle into a bonfire!"
Paul should know!  He has suffered through it all with us – and – not always silently! Nonetheless, here we all are! 

I (Anastasia) was the single light that started us off. Then “we, like our tiny “struggle” to get our candles lit, struggled to birth something that only our idealistic passions could envision. Now, “we,” like the passion and burning energy of our new “Making Violence Obsolete” movement are the bonfire, shining brighter and brighter, as we take our place in our local community – and – beyond, in giving our best to “thinking global, acting local.” 

Wish us the best, folks. We are here to serve our communities, near and far, in any bridge building that we can. We expect turbulent post-election days ahead. Yet, going beyond our comfort zones, no matter what, is where we will need to stretch.

We must remember that we are all in this U.S.A. together when it comes down to it. 

We are wishing you the best too!

Friday, November 4, 2016

Making Violence Obsolete Debuts Penultimate Conflict Resolution Process

As of Tuesday evening, New Horizons introduced its “Council of Elders” methodology; a primo New Horizons' passageway for trekking to the other side of conflict and the transforming of personal and collective lead into gold, reaching the peak of the Mountain of Awe and other good things.

It’s A Love Bath!

How can resolving a conflict become a “love bath”? 

Check it out for yourself. That’s how you can come to “know” it. 


One thing it isn’t, however, is akin to our national politics!


There is no way that a group of humans can easily, imperfect as we are, make the proper advances, to grow and become more than we started off being. Yet conflict resolution, community-style, offers one of the best, most scenic routes we know!  And, in our mode, the most loving!  Tough love that it is!

So in our view, that’s the deal; conflict resolution, community-style, for evolving one’s consciousness and the behaviors that support the higher levels of human functioning; the transforming of the lead of our innate humanity into the gold of our living potential.

So how do we attain such riches?

The full truth here is that you really have to live it to know it. But I will give you a few glimpses of the landscape here, New Horizons style. 

At New Horizons conflict resolution is the foremost vehicle that enables said changes. Based on our decade’s old procedures of conducting intra-community “truth and reconciliation” processes the results are, over time, nearly miraculous, or so it seems. 

Certainly our methodology has, over the past forty years plus, transformed the lives of hundreds, if not thousands of individuals, relationships and families.

You can tell we are very proud of this!  Right?

However there are so many layers of complexity to the overall process; so many twists and turns that it takes, that I am not going to be able to readily create a clear picture of all that our finely honed methodology incorporates. Nonetheless, I offer you the following highlights achieved so far as we begin getting off the ground with our latest endeavor. 

In summary, here is how our adventure is unfolding, along with some of the key New Horizon’s principles at play. 
  • Our experiment which is having its first “official” session tomorrow held its very first “Truth and Reconciliation” effort (i.e. the Council of Elders) Tuesday evening;
  • This was brought about due to one of our members having a conflict with me (Anastasia), calling into play the serious preparation for and implementation of a “Council of Elders” meeting, conducted for four long, intense hours (in addition to all the prep time and post processing needed);
  • Principle: The assembling of a “Truth and Reconciliation” meeting (i.e. the Council of Elders) to guide and direct the alchemy of “lead into gold” is our almost highest endeavor on the pathway of “Making Violence Obsolete.” (The very highest is our weekend/week long “Truth or Dare Game,” formerly called the “Discount Derby. To be introduced/re-introduced in some, not as yet defined future.)
  • Principle: With this undertaking, our basic “experiment” premise can be realized. 
“The Premise” is this --
"Violence “could” become obsolete, “someday”, if we start, now, doing more and more of the right things and, together, stop doing the “wrong” ones!”
Nothing that we know of can spotlight the "what not to do" and the "what to do" as impactfully as this process.

What our process has accomplished so far ---
  • Conflict between a community member and Anastasia aired publicly (in our New Horizons counterculture community “public).”
  • Subtle violence in a moderately abusive couple’s relationship within our budding community was re-routed (merely first baby steps taken but steps nonetheless) via the process of the guidance and role modeling of our "Community Elders” and a more public airing of that relationship than formerly and its hurtful dynamics (i.e. it “takes a village.”)
  • Our budding community beginning to coalesce as a “real” community entity (no pain, no real gain).
  • Role modeling of our “lean in legacy template” process, was seen in action and became clearer to community members as to how to live it. 
  • The notions of “leadership as a lifestyle” and “communication and relationship as art" became more tangible through the personal and collective experience of our process;
Wondering what really occurred in a visual and experiential way? 

Well we know this is a good bit vague here but we anticipate being able to bring our "Council of Elders" process to you via YouTube sometime in the future.

Nonetheless, for now, I will plan on filling in some of the details on this site and the challenges and rewards as they unfold.

The best way, however, to know for yourself that the “pain is worth the gain” (i.e. a “love bath”) of such a process is to join in with our developing “Making Violence Obsolete” movement and our Counterculture Community Development Experiment if you qualify.

Here is how you can get involved.

For details and information:
Contact Anastasia at 240.409.5347
or email us at: HarpersFerryNH@aol.com

Wednesday, November 2, 2016

End of Summer In The Mountains at New Horizons Harper's Ferry Retreat Center

Endings and beginnings play a prominent role this coming weekend as eight full months of monthly gatherings at New Horizons Harper's Ferry Retreat Center wrap up the 2016 Season. New beginnings also mark the event when core group members, who have already been getting a taste of what’s coming in New Horizons new Counterculture Community Development Experiment, holds their first “official” coming together event.

Interested in finding out you can join the unfolding action and emerging “Making Violence Obsolete” training program?

For details and information, 
Contact Anastasia at 240.409.5347
or email us at: HarpersFerryNH@aol.com