Points of Connection

Barack Obama - global bridge-builder for our times

The United States is poised for a new era of leadership! Barack Obama is our president-elect as of last night. He is being called a transformational leader and a bridge builder. Hooray! These are excting times. Does it mean that we will have smooth sailing from here on in? I would guess not. But we do need to see beyond right and wrong and build collaborative effective teams, as his leadership style models.

President-elect Obama catalysed our whole nation to go beyond old lines of division. I am exctied for us and the world. As he said in his acceptance speech, this is our victory and it is time for us to step up to more service and to be ready for sacrifice. In addition, we can follow his lead and learn to find ways to bring people from different cultural backgrounds and beliefs into a common goal, into collaborative and respectful conversation, learning to work together instead of against each other to build a better world.

We can do it. The world is with us. I am already getting numerous emails from our global colleagues, excited about last night's outcome. Together we have a chance to create one global bridge as we never have before. Congratulations to everyone who voted and worked to make this election the powerful statement of conscious action that is is.

Reclaiming my Jewish Roots

RECLAIMING MY JEWISH ROOTS

 

 

I was a very good Jewish girl turned Jewish mother. Yes, I am.  But I haven't been this "Jewish" for decades. I love the holidays and traditions, certainly bagels, lox and blintzes. I was President and song leader for my youth group. I welcomed the holidays and shabbat when my children were young. What I never really got from Judaism was the spiritual fulfillment I wanted. It was there but not taught in the traditional ways. I began connecting with my own spiritual core through the arts, Nature, and indigenous, mystical and eastern teachings. All these were extremely valuable avenues for me to awaken my soul. But something was strongly calling me to get back to my roots. Maybe it was my ancestors, kabbalah teachers dating back to the 1500's!

 

Enter Santa Fe, Land of Enchantment and City of Faith.

 

One of my intentions when I moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico five months ago, was to find a Jewish community that could help me learn more about my mystical roots and the traditional Jewish prayers and rituals. Not one month after I moved several people invited me to join some Jewish renewal groups in the area. Jewish renewal has "energized thousands of seekers returning to Judaism, including many whose journey has led them through other spiritual traditions." That's me.

 

I have been really enjoying the inclusive and creative services and gatherings. Last night we had a Simchat Torah celebration. Simcha means abundant joy.

 

About nine of us danced, sang and unfurled the Torah (the five books of Moses - old testament - handwritten on a parchment scroll), getting her ready to be read from the very beginning, as this is the beginning of the Jewish new year. It was a wonderful celebration and reminder of how important it is to be in community and celebration, honoring our sacred roots and embracing the wisdom of all traditions, during these times of great transition.

Interfaith Peace Dialogues

INTERFAITH PEACE DIALOGUES

 

I am looking forward to attending a gathering being sponsored by The Global Peace Initiative of Women.  Spiritual leaders from around the world will come together to dialogue about how we can bring the sacred back into our lives and focus our priorities to bring about a culture of peace in the United States. 

I met Dena Merriam, the founder, a couple of years ago. She is a dedicated and lively woman fully engaged in the peace process and helping young people around the world gain leadership skills through the Young Leaders International Peace Council.

 

Dena told me about many of these young people who have come through the most horrific times in recent years with a positive and even hopeful outlook on life.

 

We have so much to learn from these young people and the faith leaders of our times. I believe when we come together in conversations that matter and we take action based on what emerges we have the best chance of turning things around for the better.

 

I will let you know how the gathering goes.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr: Wow! What a Conscious Leader

Last night I watched a video of Dr. Martin Luther King's interview with talk show host Michael Douglas. Usually a mild-mannered host, Douglas asked piercing questions to which, Dr. King responded with such eloquence and integrity it was exquisite to watch. What an inspiration!

Are we in touch with our own passion and inner fortitude? Will our leaders again one day be driven by that same commitment to humanity, earth and universal wisdom - a higher calling - as Dr. King? I certainly believe it is possible.

Turned on by Life

Leonardo da Vinci was man who was fascinated by life. He allowed his internal creative source to guide him. Leonardo explored topics as broad as the flight of a bird, the internal organs of the human being and even how military machines might best be built. Of course, he expressed himself most elegantly through his paintings and sculptures.

Much like the impressionists who pushed the artistic norms of their times, Leonardo had the audacity to follow his heart and paint scenes of Nature that didn’t include any people.  Heaven forbid! His courage has earned him admiration across centuries.

Welcome!

Welcome! These are exciting times. I invite you to join me and other innovative leaders like yourself, as we successfully move through transformational times remembering our interconnectedness, creating collaborative conversations and embracing a new way of living that is inclusive, joyous and respectful of world-wide cultural and spiritual beliefs. I look forward to getting to know you.