When my brother first proposed his enlightenment, mindfulness and meditation practice to me I kind of thought that I had already possessed some of those actions already. But it wasn't until recently that I have really started to focus on mindfulness in all that I do. Mindful eating, speaking, listening, studying and basically anything else we generally do so carelessly on a daily basis.
It's become mindless to multi task in so much that we do, especially in our fast paced society where everything is at the touch of our hands, but I have recently found the utter importance and value of slowing down and taking time to truly focus on that one breath, step or conversation right here and now. Mindfulness gets shadowed so much because although we think we are present and fully invested in all that we do, often times most people are not. As I lounge up against a warm tree trunk at the Oval on my beautiful college campus in Fort Collins, I am reminded by how important it is for me to be outside and take everything for what it actually is. Enjoying being able to be outside without a heavy coat in January, I can't help but smile at how some simple sunshine can make people more mindful and present. Encompassing mindfulness into all I do is a new goal I have for my life, as everyone has their something that they constantly strive for, and I believe it's important to find that something and constantly grow towards it.
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Two Best Friends Take on South Africa and Continue to Make A ChangeBy: Alex Lee
A cozy room filled with a lightly scented aroma, market lights around the perimeters and colorfully laid merchandize surround a young woman with worldly qualities. For a first extensive adventure across the world, she had always dreamed of going to Africa, but one of her best friends had always imagined South America. Pursuing their appetite to travel, the two friends decided to draw out of a hat to agree on a destination. In that hat were options of five countries: Malawi, South Africa, Uganda, Uruguay and Costa Rica. South Africa was the lucky winner and Spring 2012 brought a new adventure for Colorado State students Brooke Klaess, 21, and St. Olaf student Molly Dietrich, 21. They traveled half way across the world to find something that would truly make them tick. “We had the picture that by volunteering three months of our time, we would be bettering someone else’s life,” Dietrich said. “However, at the end of our time, it was clear that those kids had given us so much in return and more.” After returning home from volunteering at Christian David Moravian Primary School in Muizenberg, South Africa, the two friends felt like they needed to do something even greater to help. “I feel like I got more out of my experience than I gave, so then that’s when we decided: let’s do something here and raise money,” Klaess said. “That’s how we started Bee the Change.” Their mission is to raise funds so children in South Africa can receive an education and further resources. Amanda Grillo, friend of Klaess and Dietrich, speaks highly of their journey as well. “They truly came back changed and passionate from their experience,” Grillo said. Inspired from her involvement with the kids in South Africa, Klaess based Bee the Change by how eager the kids were to learn new things. “I heard a lot of their personal stories of their home life and then I would see them at school and how happy they were to be around other kids,” Klaess said. “School was the only place for these kids to be kids.” Klaess recognized more importance of school for these kids when she heard that two students, children to a leader of a gang in the township, were sitting in front of their house one evening when their mom and dad got shot right in front of them. “It made me realize that school for them is more than school,” Klaess said. “It’s a place to be a kid and feel safe.” “The principal asked the third grader, whose parents got shot in front of him, why he came to school that day and wasn’t at the hospital. He said that school was where he felt the safest,” Klaess said. John Klaess, father of Klaess, said “I am inspired by what Bee The Change is doing to further the education of the under privileged children of South Africa." The nonprofit has gained support to help them expand, and has helped send 300 kids to school in South Africa already since beginning Bee the Change. “I’ve really enjoyed how supportive my school, friends and families have been so far, but I would love to see Bee the Change move beyond Brooke and I’s social networks,” Dietrich said. Beginning by selling tank tops, Bee the Change quickly developed T-shirts and wristbands to promote Christian David Moravian Primary School. Among other goals, they hope to expand to other schools in third world countries for kids that can’t afford to go to school. “We also hope to expand to help fund other resources that schools need as well,” Klaess said. An $8-12 donation can fund a year of schooling for a child, including two meals per day. “With school fees for one year being roughly the price of two Starbucks coffee’s, we knew many of our family and friends would be able to contribute without it being a huge financial burden,” Dietrich said. Through the motivation and support from many, Klaess and Dietrich hope to spread the word and constantly encourage change from all different directions. “Molly and Brooke continually ask our opinion on what they should sell and try hard to get their foot in any and every door to spread the word,” said, Amanda Grillo, friend. “I am so proud of the passion this experience has brought them.” It's that time of year again. When people begin to smile a bit more, give an extra hug more than usual and deliver the love we've been deserving to give all year long. I find it quite interesting how the holidays work actually. I am tickled by how loving people can be during this magical time of year, and it's a relief to know that maybe, just maybe humanity isn't so bad after all. That people are actually willing to give without receiving something in return...that's what it's supposed to be all about isn't it?
Thanksgiving is a wonderful family and friend based holiday to eat as much as you'd like without judgement and emotions can get high strung without fear or hesitation. But then the next day, some people go crazy to make sure they get the best deals on Black Friday where they start to stock up for Christmas presents. Now, getting presents for a manageable price is valid, but what I personally don't believe, is how people are giving thanks one minute and the next they are veiled over with a new sense of greed of wants and wishes. The flip switches almost instantaneously. Not to say people who participate in Black Friday aren't grateful, I mean they're just getting those good deals right? But I ponder this because after much contemplating, I wonder, why is it that our country is so obsessed with stuff? Instantaneously getting more stuff? The other night I watched an awakening documentary called 'I AM' where filmmaker Tom Shadyac explores different points of view on what is wrong with our world and how we can change it. In return, he actually finds out what is right with our world. Everyone can always improve something in their lives, as I find with myself every day. But what I find fascinating is how we can actually use our weaknesses to our benefit, by lifting each other up and helping one another grow rather than focusing on those negative aspects in our lives instead. We can, in fact, show love and joy to one another and receive it right back. We can improve our way of living by helping others to be more inspired, motivated and moved. As we went around the table on Thanksgiving, everyone had the same general theme of thanks for the most part. Family, friends, being together, the snow we've been getting, health. But there were a few that had a big toast to give, to a complex component of life: learning. I thought this was truly admirable, because sure, we can be thankful for our every day encounters and our blessings, but learning is sometimes something that goes underrated. Growth and learning is hard sometimes, and more often than not, people try to hide their troubles and diminish the fact that maybe they're having a hard time in life right now. With only 21 years under my belt, I can surely already say that learning and growing is the one of the most beautiful thing in life. Because without it, where would we be? Without the pain and suffering, the sadness or exhaustion, we wouldn't have the appreciation for the delight and sparkle that happiness and liveliness brings to us. We wouldn't have different perspective. Needless to say, there's a lot to be thankful for in this incredible life we live. As this holiday season goes on, I only hope we don't lose sight of how lucky we really are and continually tell others how much they mean to us. Not just on Thanksgiving or any other holiday, but every day. Because every single person is capable of impacting. However you might take that, I challenge you to impact someone's day today and every day. Life's too short to not. Just the other day, one of my dearest friends suggested I start a blog. "Like a legit one where I can inspire people," she said. I had to ponder this suggestion for awhile as I knew I did not really have the time for it right now with everything going on in my colossal pile of to-do lists.
But then I saw something that sparked my fire and ignited something in me to act upon this flattering suggestion. That something said, "If not you, then who? If not now, then when?" I found this perplexing yet alluring because in our culture today everyone is in such a brisk cycle of their own routines, always pacing to get from point A to point B. And I want to make it a point in my life to start slowing down more. Slowing the "race" down because really, this life is not a race. It is a test and journey of our strength and happiness. Each day showing us more of who we are meant to be in the world. It is something which many of us, myself included, sometimes take for granted. A truly unfathomable gift. I'm not sure where this blog of mine is going to gear towards exactly, but using it as an outlet and also to encourage others are my main goals. Mostly just to inspire. To ignite something that I know each and every one of us has and to grasp sharing that something with the world. Everyone is in the process of igniting something, in some shape or form, and lighting that fire within. What ignites you? And what will you use that fire for? |
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December 2016
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