All Things Have Value

As the people of Fort McMurray fled wildfires, individuals across Canada asked themselves, “How can I help?”

Donating money was the easiest option for those who had it. Volunteer time seemed most precious and challenging to offer, especially for those who lived outside a reasonable distance from where all hands-on-deck were needed.

Most people (myself included) found they had plenty in their homes that was not being used: clothing, linens, utensils. A desire to help motivated us to pack all of those gifts and give from the heart, to those who had lost so much.

I am pleased when effort is made to organize things, and a list is put out to detail what is required. I find it disturbing when ‘experts’ decide these items have no value, because they are difficult to sort through. If it’s too much work for charitable organizations to deal with, then leave out the middle man and let the people in need pick through it themselves. Only they know what they can or cannot use.

There have been times in my life when I had nothing; when used clothes or even an old lawn chair would have been so graciously received. People who are used to owning many things have no idea how the offer of one humble item can give hope and brighten the world of an individual who can make worthwhile use of it.

All things have value to someone.

I donated clothes with the labels still on, shoes I never wore, blankets I never used – I hate to think they may have been destroyed. I keep reminding myself to trust they will make their way to those who will value them.

We should not let the blindness of those that get in the way by judging things unusable, to stop us from giving.

Meanwhile, let’s vow to be more discerning in what we acquire and accumulate; to ensure that all things we have, we value; and going forward, that the value is preserved for others to enjoy after us.

All Things Have Value © May 14, 2016 | Annie Zalezsak

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Ubuntu: I am, because you are

Ubuntu is a South African idea about the connectedness of humanity.

“We think of ourselves far too frequently as just individuals, separated from one another, whereas you are connected and what you do affects the whole World. When you do well, it spreads out; it is for the whole of humanity.”
— Desmond Tutu

Our human nature yearns for a community where we co-exist harmoniously with mutual respect and equal value for each person’s life.

Instead of leaders and followers, let us embrace all as equals: elders and children; all genders, orientations and ages; people of wisdom and skills of varied abilities; protectors and visionaries; caregivers and artists.

Every human has a place among the needs of a collective humanity. No individual is more or less important than another.

In karmic principles, the idea of “what goes around, comes around” is often seen in terms of negative consequences to evil actions.

Ubuntu focuses on the goodness of mankind. All the wonderful things we desire for ourselves, are also desired and shared with all human beings.

With Ubuntu, there is peace, love, kindness and freedom for all.

Ubuntu: I am, because you are © November 21, 2015 | Annie Zalezsak

Borders and Beliefs

I am a first generation Canadian, a daughter of European immigrants after World War II.

I am also a nomad by nature. I believe that as long as I’m a good person and comply with local law, I should have the right to live anywhere I choose.

As the world debates, should we, shouldn’t we, for and against taking in refugees, let’s remember that this earth belongs to us all.

Every human being born on the planet has a right to a place to exist peacefully and harmoniously. Those blessed with such an existence have the capacity to share it. What decent human being would not share their bounty with someone suffering and in need?

“There but for the grace of God, go I.”

I understand fear and mistrust. The fact is, there is sickness among us. We can take all the precautions we want; it may still slip through. Do we turn our backs on tens of thousands, for fear there may be an evil thought among them?

Well, lock yourself up, and live nothing of a life, if you require that protection. Life is risk. All life is always at risk.

But life also has power and strength. It prevails. It goes on. Fruitfully.

Let’s focus on doing what is right for the human race. Instead of shutting people out, let’s unite and embrace and uplift.

Let’s give those that have made no mistakes, a chance at survival. They may actually bring us all a whole lot of good.

“So let us work for peace within our families and society, and not expect help from God, Buddha or the governments,” said the Dalai Lama. “The problems that we are facing today are the result of superficial differences over religious faiths and nationalities. We are one people.”

Borders and Beliefs © November 18, 2015 | Annie Zalezsak

Acts of Peace

France’s president, François Hollande, called the November 13, 2015 attack on Paris an “act of war”. The Mirror states France dropped over 20 bombs on Raqqa, Syria.

“Anti-ISIS activists in Syria claim a stadium, a museum, medical clinics and a political building have been hit after France launched airstrikes in retaliation for the Paris terror attack.”

I am bewildered.

Amid Paris peace-symbols, candle-lit prayers, and civilians everywhere expressing compassion for humanity, politicians are taking actions that not only impact the bad, but escalates harm on the good.

Pockets of evil may be taken out, but at what risk to rights, freedoms – and lives – of those who have been at peace? What good is it, if for every bad guy, a hundred good ones are also taken out?

Humanity hasn’t yet achieved perfect loving consciousness. Evil-doers live everywhere. We’ve seen how a new terrorist group shows up just when we thought we got rid of the previous one. Let’s not perpetuate evil.

There has to be a better response. I don’t know what that is. But what I do know, is that the vast majority of people are good, kind and want peace. We don’t want to live in fear, or be at war. Peace begets peace. Love begets love. This is the inherent nature of a newborn baby, untainted by the mental illness that drives hate and war.

This is a call for all to forgive acts of war.

Let us move forward in Acts of Peace!

Acts of Peace © November 16, 2015 | Annie Zalezsak

Value of a Smile

Smiling costs nothing; but it’s value is enormous. Scientifically, it releases dopamine, endorphins and serotonin. It can lower heart rate and blood pressure.

Smiling makes us feel better emotionally. It elevates mood, uplifts our perspective, and invites the return of a smile from another. A smile can be a gateway to connection with anyone who sees our smile.

When you smile at someone, you acknowledge and validate their presence. This is a powerful feeling for participants in a smile-exchange. A shared smile expresses kindness, empathy, gratitude, and love.

It feels good to smile and there is evidence to support it offers benefits to health and longevity. Even if someone doesn’t notice you’re smiling at them, on some level, they’re receiving that smile-blessing.

Smile often. It’s good for the world!

Value of a Smile © November 11, 2015 | Annie Zalezsak

Equality and Inequality

A lottery winner, despite sharing some of his winnings with friends and family, rapidly becomes excluded and even abused by his community. The winnings feel like a curse. He has to leave the life he’s always known, due to his ‘good fortune’.

It’s not as uncommon as story as you might think. In fact, I’ve often wondered why acquiring success, sudden fame or fortune, leaves a person outcast, begrudged, or even excluded from the community that previously loved and supported him.

I have been in environments where people were genuinely very happy for those who did well. I’ve also experienced environments where I felt people had to ‘play small’ in order to be accepted and survive among peers.

I thought this was a cultural attitude. Then it dawned on me that there is one vital distinction between the two reactions. It’s the economic inequality of individuals. To put it simply, the experience of a wide difference between the “haves and have nots” breeds mistrust, resentment, and alienation.

Until my early thirties, I lived where everyone I encountered pretty much had their basic needs met. Food, shelter, clothing, were affordable and readily available in large quantities. If someone had a bit more, that was no concern, as we all had enough.

Then, I moved to a place where it was dog-eat-dog to locate a glorified ‘shed’ the average person could not afford to live in, and fight tooth and nail to be good enough to win the privilege to live in it. Never mind living paycheque to paycheque; if you didn’t have to use credit cards to pay essential bills, you were considered well off. And that was in the ‘good area’. Now, I live in an area considered by the government as ‘deprived’. Here, people have far less. Oddly enough, they seem to happily get by on less. However, there is still the raised eyebrow if someone has something new, or something that looks like it came from somewhere other than a cheap shop or a boot sale. When this happens, people retreat. They question behind your back. It’s uncomfortable for all.

There are countries where everyone has very little materially. Yet people are happy, live a peaceful existence, and there is low crime. In countries where there are luxuriously rich and dreadfully poor, where economic inequality is rife, so is there a high crime rate.

There is no doubt about it. Distribute the world’s wealth equally, and we’d all be at peace. The question is: how do we make this happen? It seems to me that politics and government is not the answer. Ideals such as communism and socialism didn’t really work. There appears to be corruption in democracy, too. But each individual has a choice. And each individual can act with social conscience. What if, instead of buying a holiday home and a second car, we all made sure that those in need of shelter and transport had those needs supplied before we indulge in excess?

I wonder what an Equal world would be like.

Equality and Inequality © June 27, 2011 | Annie Zalezsak

Our Human Family

A rare jewel among our species, Maggie Doyne has done what so many of us deeply desire: to single-handedly attempt to change the world, impact humanity, and utterly trust that the money and the means will show up to accomplish it. She inspires us to know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that if she can do this, we are all capable of creating something similar. Let’s all remember our human family, and engage with positivite activity to connect and create a better home for us all.

 

Maggie Doyne — Why the human family can do better from The Do Lectures on Vimeo.

Synchronistic Meetings

We can seek out people we want to meet and never connect with them. We can post recruitment ads and not find the ‘right’ person. We can do Google searches and come out empty-handed. If we exert a lot of effort in our search, it is like swimming upstream. We get frustrated because we are going against the natural flow of life.

The most meaningful connections often occur synchronistically. When the time is right, the Universe ever-so-simply orchestrates a ‘chance’ meeting. The best laid plans, strictly adhered to, may not ever produce the results sought.

The best thing we can do in any instance is: show up. Show up, stay open, observe any and all opportunities. Then, go with the flow. The world, this life, is full of possibilities when we approach our moments like this.

Synchronistic Meetings © June 3, 2011 | Annie Zalezsak

Be Seen and Known

In his article Why do I think that community is so important for Inspired Entrepreneurs? author Nick Williams states there are 7 reasons for the importance of community. Reason 4 particularly strikes a chord for us at Clarity Tribe. Nick says:

We need to be seen and known – in community, other people see our gifts and talents, let us know what they see, and help us see ourselves in ways that we may not see ourselves. The African concept of Ubuntu says, “I am what I am because of who we all are.”

This is precisely the aim of Clarity Tribe. We want to share with each other, reflect back, learn and celebrate ourselves as individuals and as a community. We All win! Please share your comments, thoughts and ideas with us!