Such A Big Package!

I bought a very appropriately titled pack of post up notes the other day. The quote said “If you can’t convince them, confuse them.”

I thought that quite fitting for how these blog articles must strike followers at times. But what could I have done better? Especially as I’ve been only a student this past year on how to do this blogging stuff?

I do seem to be catching on to it now though dontcha’ think?

Anyway, in case you’ve been confused about our story line here, truth be told the New Horizons’ Small “Zones of Peace” Project is quite a HUGE PACKAGE in its entirety. And, to complicate things even more, I’ve been dealing with blindness issues since 1998 so be sure and cut me some slack for that. Being blind for an extended amount of time 1998 – 2003) is not something you just get over http://www.newhorizonssupport.org/littlebook.htm

Check out some of our history and background at the following links, however. Then what we are up to might begin to make a bit more sense. At least, I hope it will.:

1. “Finding Light Inside The Darkness” http://anastasiastoryteller.blogspot.com/p/history.html

      (Frederick News Post, August 6, 2006, Story of Anastasia being blind and New   Horizons evolving from a relationship and personality addiction program (emphasis on power addictions) into the New Horizons’ Small “Zones Of Peace” Project;

    2. Anastasia, bio information: http://www.shecafe.org/nhs/nhfounder.html
   3. Press Release, August 18, 2000: “Spiritual leader of 26,000 year old culture to assist local non-profit with violence prevention effort” http://www.shecafe.org/nhs/muratsuportpr.html;

   4. Press releases, assorted: http://www.shecafe.org/nhs/event.html;

   5. Voice of New Horizons Newsletter http://www.newhorizonssupport.org/pdffile/news3.pdf

   6. The Adventure Of Awe: http://zonesofpeacenh.blogspot.com/search/label/The%20Adventure%20Of%20Awe;

  7. New Horizons Habitat For Healing Retreat Center http://zonesofpeacenh.blogspot.com/2010/04/new-horizons-announces-habitat-for.html

More to come…

Awe Can Be Such A Hard Climb

Our Possible Human, Possible Society Study is now underway. I am truly enjoying the opportunity. We only need 100 new people per year to achieve our goal of 300 in three years and achieve what we are after; offering what we can to help overcome the polarization in our country.

We told you last year at this time that we were intent on doing this. And, here we are, having been thorough in our preparation!

Already the study is showing us that it will bring just reward at the destination as well as all along the way. The evidence we have says we are truly on a treasure hunt with bounty a certainty, provided we are reading our maps properly.

Even though the pieces of the study hung together fairly well at the outset, our goals still looked to me almost like a mountain too high to climb. I am like that though when I take on a new climb, a mountain previously uncharted for me. For one thing, one full interview with one person, will generally take as long as two-three hours. However, even with that, it looks like we may exceed our goals.

Two weeks into our study and we are almost up to twenty interviewees (plus we also have some accumulated past data that is also worth reflecting upon). People are beginning to talk about the study and offer, not only their own precious time and perspectives, but are referring us to other potential interviewees who are seemingly eager to participate.

As the designer of the project, with it still being in the blueprint stage (and my right arm, Sue, unavailable as she is out of the country on vacation), it is almost completely in my lap to stay on top of analyzing what we are learning and how to guide the project forth on its next steps. Lorrie, another of our dedicated volunteers is doing her best to keep pace with me, providing support and valuable input. However, her interviewer’s role is not an easy one to just simply pick up and do.

Some enlightening viewpoints from our interviewees about our country’s polarization problems and what they see as necessary to fix it are coming forth in some truly heartfelt, thought-full ways, as opposed to solely political and economic opinions. Though those are there too. Perspectives such as these; both thought-full and heart-felt, are bringing me to being “so glad I asked.”

The conversations that have ensued for me resulted in my speaking out more boldly than I felt comfortable doing but I think I am glad I took the risk. However, today I hope to talk to almost no one and just relax, integrate and celebrate what already seems to be surfacing from our study. And, enjoy the day in every other way possible. Maybe even go off to play.

(My inner word bank is almost depleted today so lots of "r and r" are what I need after having done several productive, but very intense interviews over the weekend when I should have been playing.)

One thing is already “perfectly clear,” as if you didn’t already know this; awe is a hard mountain to climb. Even in concert with seemingly like-minded others. Let alone with those of different views. 

Building and sustaining harmony are artful and tricky things to come by. We can seem so alike, yet we are truly all so different. And, those differences can easily trigger us into our own, even very, very subtle snakiness. Even if only briefly.

So what is it going to take for us to climb that mountain and get to the awe place?

The most frequent answers emerging from our interviewees so far are:

* Commitment to the process of talking things through to the elegant solutions (win-win and outside the box),

* Skill at communicating and resolving conflict,

* Self-discipline and

* Vision.

All our interviewees, so far, to the person -- express determination and commitment to playing the "awe game" (in our format or elsewhere) and taking personal responsibility to do all of the above themselves.

We will keep you posted on what else we find as we go on our adventure of discovery through our Possible Human, Possible Society Study.

With gratitude to all who have with forthrightness already given so generously of their time to this project.

Anastasia
Up in the mountains on a glorious, almost humid-free day.

Our Package: Tying It All Together

I can’t say for certain that the latest piece of New Horizons’ multi-faceted community development and violence prevention project, our Possible Human, Possible Society Study, is the part of the package that will tie it all together for you.

For my sake, if for no other, I am surely hoping so. I am a person who strives for unity. And, it has been a very long thirteen years of back and forth between chaos and order for both me and New Horizons since I lost my eyesight, Labor Day, 1998.

Holding onto that unity within myself, let alone conveying the sky high blueprint of what’s on tap her at New Horizons to all of you who follow our work in progress, is another whole deal, believe me.

Oi, veh. Is about all I can succinctly say about it that you might even begin to understand.

However, since I am given to taking personal and professional inventories, I’ve been thinking that it’s about time to provide you with an inventory of just what is going on with our project.

So, as of today, I am pledging to tell you in bits and pieces, entwined with other stories to come, the story behind the scenes to the best of my capabilities between now and September 15. Look for these “behind the scenes” stories which I will label as “Our Package” from here until then; chaos a factor in delays.

Now, back I go to outdoors, weed whacking my task today, to contribute to our remodeling efforts out here in the mountains where we hope we can open our doors to retreat weekends, once again, by next year at this time.

Anastasia

From The Wise Old Owl

Hooty, hooty, hoo!

Whatever are we to do?
Just read a CNN article that made my blood boil.
Everywhere the U.S.A is a-roil!

I was just about catching my stride to say a few words about what I think about our country’s polarization; there don’t seem to be any real, live grown-ups around here running this country. And, what do I find? An article that suggests the young’uns here should be the ones in charge.

Well, I guess that just goes to show two things, in particular, to my mind:

1. The Elders of this country are, somehow, not earning the respect they should, due to the fact that they act like children as if they are still on a playground; and

2. The young’uns haven’t much skill at treating the Elders with the respect they do deserve. That’s what I get, so far, from the way many of those young'uns act (not all, by a wing span, to be sure.)

(I am still smartin' some from two college student volunteers last year that convinced me “I’d better do it myself.” Truth be told, I could not. So, of course, because what we needed was teamwork, we had a no-win outcome in some certain areas. And, much undue aggravation.)

Well, it sure is challenging round here these days! Even for a wise old owl.

I have high hopes, though, that our Possible Human, Possible Society Study will help us disclose, as a group, who it is that is really walking the walk. So, for now, I will reserve judging in error until I have more facts.

Sure would like to know myself, though, before I need to cast my votes again.

You think you are really walking that walk, how about being a Possible Human, Possible Society interviewee?

For The Birds

I am so grateful that a wise old owl is presently inhabiting the woods surrounding my home. He/she/it keeps reminding me almost nightly that I am gifted to be able to find light in the darkness.

Being able to discern where there is darkness in myself and others and knowing how to transform the dark into light is an art form I acquired out of my need to survive my adventures in Camelot.

As a human, however, one can not always readily know whether or not certain things are of the light or the dark. Whether or not a thing is, simply put, the great, ongoing game played back and forth of the dark and the light? Or, is it truly an end of all ends.

For example, last year at this time the grandest of life-threatening crises was about the controversy surrounding the mosque slated to be built near Ground Zero. Was that a gift of the light or an omen of dark and evil sure to be lethal?

And, if it was truly a learning opportunity rather than a mortal crisis, certain to attract an increase in terrorist attacks, how could that situation ever be turned to the good? Who could imagine any elegant solutions here, or some kind of win-win outcome?

And, yet to date the plan continues onward in some kind of re-formed mode, controversy seeming to simmer now rather than set us on fire as it was once predicted to do.

This year it’s the debt ceiling. Not to minimize the severity of potential consequences facing us, but that, too, has been touted as a sign that our end is almost near.

It’s always something chaotic! It’s always URGENT and it’s always mortal. And, it’s always about the ENEMY that is always THEM. Not me, right?

As it has turned out, apparently, the Muslims, in spite of that crisis, are getting on quite well in America. A recent Gallup poll reported that Muslim Americans "… have generally optimistic and positive views about government, its agencies and the future of America…” This in spite of the fact that “they report a significant level of prejudice and discrimination,"

Can whatever wrought the ugly polarization among our various representatives in congress in the debt ceiling debate somehow show up next year in a study with a similar message from the bluebird of happiness?

Maybe, even from our New Horizons Possible Human, Possible Society Study? I can’t say I would mind. I hope for a more positively spirited American outlook next year at this time rather than all this drama.

I found it a bit of a challenge these past few weeks to keep an eye on the day-by-day, play-by-play and not get caught up in the urgency and the enemy mentality of it all. What has been going on has truly been for the birds!

I think that wise old owl nearby kept me relatively calm in this sea of contention and crisis. Like the goddess Athena of ancient mythology who had an owl on her shoulder, he/she/it must have helped me see through the darkness and into the light. That includes the dark in me that could prompt me to join in with the crisis mentality that I call my “Chicken Little” disorder.

Most of the time I was able to hold onto my perception (but not always without a bit of stretch) that this was, as usual in Washington, one more day in the GAME.

Shall I consider that a gift of having been blind and having the courage and endurance to face it now once again? Being blind, for better or for worse, made a shaman out of me; one who is able to live on ground level yet see the intrigue that goes on here with a bit of lightness and humor.

Is It Enough To Be Frantic?

We are down to the wire with an enormous, self-created debt ceiling crisis. Certainly joining the pundits when I have nothing profound to say is not where I can help. Nor wracking my brain to find solutions to problems that are beyond my abilities to solve.

I need to not allow myself to be seduced by the hype that threatens to draw each and everyone into this circus. Avoid the inclination to embrace the crisis mentality; respond with an urgency outbreak, or make oneself a party to the various polariities. These admonitions, also, alert me to not join in with the rampant frustration, complaining and fear that is prevailing.

The current debt crisis conversation generates urgency as an addiction.  We don't really know how much emergency preparedness is truly needed here, do we? How much is only drama?

What to do? What to do in this time of manifest or, perhaps, manufactured crisis?

Then I remember the words of Everett Edward Hale, a dear friend of Helen Keller

I am only one;
But still I am one;
I cannot do everything;
But still I can do something,
And because I cannot do everything,
I will not refuse to do the something
That I can do.

There will be something for me to do before the day is over. It may or may not have anything to do with crisises. For now I will be calm and still, not frantic and caught up in the drama, knowing full well that some other new drama awaits just around the corner for tomorrow, the next day or next week.

If I stay calm, then my "assignmnet" will become clear to me; I will know what to do that truly is mine. And i will be fairly assured that this path of serenity will give me one more solid, step out of detaching from the games people play in this addict society. One step closer to awe.

As my dear zop sistah, Sandi, has said, "I am not going to allow "them" (i.e, the politicians and the media) to hijack my goodness."
 
Interpretation: Maintain balance under fire. Don't lose your head to those stirring the drama, hold to your integrity, serenity and your good sense for living. Avoid non-problem solving polarizations.

The sunshines. Enjoy the day.

Addict Society Recovery Plan Announced!

New Horizons and the Small “Zones Of Peace” Project

Announces

The Addict Society Recovery Plan

Details forthcoming

For details and stories, also check out:

Anastasia The Storyteller

http://anastasiastoryteller.blogspot.com/

To participate in our interview survey/study:

The Study Of The Possible Human, Possible Society

Contact Anastasia at:

Zonesofpeacenh@aol.com

Cell: 240.409.5347

This is gonna be such fun!