Welcome to a Wonderful New Year!

The past year has been a wild ride for The 51% Project, a year of beginnings, the first year of our project.  It’s given both of us the opportunity to assess ourselves, our values, and goals with a critical eye.    We have both grown in ways we couldn’t have imagined as we began our journey, and we are so grateful for all that we’ve learned along the way.

Beginning a new year gives us the opportunity and challenge of sweeping away the old and beginning anew.  Change isn’t always easy, but the benefits of it are undeniable.   Not since 2000, and the change to a new millennium has the world looked to the new year with such anticipation and trepidation.  It’s a perfect time to look closely at our lives and decide to live with gratitude and positive expectation.  We expect 2012 to be the beginning of a brilliant future for all of us.

With this new beginning, Dorothy and I have decided to make some changes in how we reach out to you.  You’ll see us more on our Facebook page, daily in fact.  Our posts will  be in the form of passages that have touched our hearts.  We hope it will make it easier to take a moment from your very busy day to charge your outlook with positivity.  

We’ll still post to our blog site weekly and include all of the quotes for the week, as well as post beautiful videos and stories as we encounter them.  It’s a change, and change is growth ... please join us as often as you can and if you like what you see we hope you’ll share our project with your family and friends.

As we look forward to welcoming a new year, it is our sincere hope that it is one of giving with love, receiving with gratitude, and giving thanks for all of our gifts.

Susan and Dorothy

Gratitude and Peace

This month of holidays brings wonderful gifts, no matter what our unique circumstances are.  These beautiful lyrics by John Bucchino touched our hearts and we hope they give you pause for a moment of gratitude.  

   

I’ve got a roof over my head.

I’ve got a warm place to sleep.

Some nights I lie awake counting gifts

Instead of counting sheep,

I’ve got a heart that can hold love,

I’ve got a mind that can think.

There may be times when I lose the light

And let my spirits sink.

But I can’t stay depressed

When I remember how I’m blessed.

Grateful, grateful

Truly grateful I am.

Grateful, grateful

Truly blessed and duly grateful.

In a world that can bring pain

I will still take each chance.

For I believe that whatever the terrain

Our feet can learn to dance.

Whatever stone life may sling

We can moan or we can sing.

Grateful, grateful

Truly grateful I am.

Grateful, grateful

Truly blessed and duly grateful.

-John Bucchino

As we look forward to welcoming a new year, it is our sincere hope that it is one of giving with love, receiving with gratitude, and giving thanks for all of our gifts.  May the celebrations of the season fill your heart with joy and love.

Susan and Dorothy

A Grown Up Christmas List

As Christmas nears, many of us find ourselves caught up in the not enough time, too much to do, high dollar experience of the holiday season.  We hope this beautiful video will provide you a few minutes to pause, reflect and remember that the greatest gifts are not those grandly wrapped and placed beneath the tree, but are the intentions of the heart to make the world a better place for all humankind.

We thank  Kelly Clarkson for her beautiful rendition of David Foster's touching composition and Rob Pattinson for putting it all together in this wonderful video and add our hopes for the safe return of those fighting in Afghanistan as well.

We wish you and your loved ones much comfort and joy.

Dorothy and Susan

A Prayer for a Child

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From here on earth, 

From my small place 

I ask of You 

Way out in space: 

Please tell all men 

In every land 

What You and I 

Both understand...

Please tell all men 

That Peace is Good 

That's all 

That need be understood 

In every world 

In Your great sky. 

(We understand

Both You and I.) 

  -Dr. Seuss

With hearts full of sadness we offer this as a beacon of hope.

Susan and Dorothy

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Choose Joy!

Find Joy in Unexpected Places

 

Doro 2011                                       dorocards@gmail.com

  

During this time of harried days and frazzled nerves, with daunting To-Do lists, and time passing at full speed, remember that the choices you make today will determine how pleasant, productive or problematic the day will be.  You have the power to find and make joy.

We wish you Peace….

Dorothy and Susan

Thank You Friends!

Two Wolves: A Cherokee Teaching

An elderly Cherokee Native American was teaching his grandchildren about life...

He said to them, "A fight is going on inside me, it is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves.

One wolf is evil -- he is fear, anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, competition, superiority, and ego.

The other is good---he is joy, peace, love, hope, sharing, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, friendship, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.

This same fight is going on inside you, and inside every other person, too."

They thought about it for a minute and then one child asked his grandfather, "Which wolf will win?"

The old Cherokee simply replied: "The one you feed.”

Along with letting our families know how much we love and appreciate them, Dorothy and I want you to know how grateful we are for the kind words and encouragement from all of you.  Without you enjoying our posts and passing them on to those you feel will be intrigued by them, we wouldn’t see the tremendous growth in our friends.  Thank you for your support!

In this traditional month of giving thanks we want to remember the special people in our lives;  our parents who showed us the path for achievement, our siblings who helped us learn selflessness, our grandparents who taught us that we could be magnificent, our teachers and mentors who give us the gift of expansion, our children who teach us that we succeed as they succeed, our friends who give us love, laughter, and sometimes prod us in the “right” direction, and our spouses who support our whims and dreams.

We both feel that we truly live under lucky stars and we are so thankful for all of the gifts we’ve been given.  

Happy Thanksgiving!

Susan and Dorothy

Out of the Mouths of Babes

Children are a wonderful gift. They have an extraordinary capacity to see into the heart of things and to expose sham and humbug for what they are.

                                                                                                    Bishop Desmond Tutu 

Years ago, renown author and lecturer, Leo Buscalia was asked to judge a contest, the purpose of which was to find the most caring child.  The winner was a 4-year-old child whose next-door neighbor, an elderly man, had recently lost his wife of many years.  Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went to him, climbed up on his lap and sat there quietly.  When his mother asked him what he had said to the man, the boy said, “Nothing, I just wanted to help him cry.” 

After stumbling upon this story again this week, I set out to see what other children had to say about love.  I want to share what I found with you today, with hopes that it will bring a smile and a bit of sweet perspective: 

“When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn’t bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That’s love.”  Rebecca- age 8 

“When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth.” Billy – age 4 

“Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other.” Karl – age 5 

“Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs.” Chrissy – age 6 

“Love is what makes you smile when you’re tired.” Terri – age 4 

“Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK.” Danny – age 7 

“Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired of kissing, you still want to be together and you talk more. My Mommy and Daddy are like that. They look gross when they kiss” Emily – age 8 

“Love is what’s in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen.”  Bobby – age 7 (Wow!) 

“If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate,” Nikka – age 6  (We need a few million more Nikka’s on this planet) 

“Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it everyday.” Noelle – age 7 

“Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well.”  Tommy – age 6 

“During my piano recital, I was on a stage and I was scared. I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling. He was the only one doing that. I wasn’t scared anymore.”  Cindy – age 8 

“My mommy loves me more than anybody. You don’t see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night.”  Clare – age 6 

“Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken.”  Elaine-age 5 

“Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Robert Redford.” Chris – age 7 

“Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day.”

Mary Ann – age 4 

“I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones.”  Lauren – age 4 

“When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you.” Karen – age 7 

“Love is when Mommy sees Daddy on the toilet and she doesn’t think it’s gross.”

Mark – age 6 

“You really shouldn’t say ‘I love you’ unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget.”  Jessica – age 8 

I’ve been so moved by these sweet words of wisdom, I just can’t stop thinking about them. I hope they’ve touched you, too!  Let’s all try heeding the simple lessons of these beautiful children.  This week let’s all share our French fries, make friends with someone we hate, shoot little stars, stop (opening presents, watching TV, sending texts, rushing) and listen, and if we mean it - say it a lot! 

Namaste,

Dorothy 

Dorothy: If you're having trouble getting into the swing of the "season" - or the "season" brings you special challenges, I recommend visiting your local grade school in the weeks ahead.  Volunteer to read, or help in the lunchroom or whatever suits you...but I guarantee the sweet faces of the children you pass (this week many wearing construction paper Pilgrim hats or Indian headdresses!) will help you to make the shift!  The good and beauty of the world lies within a child's face! 

Susan: The simplicity and truth in young wisdom touches me deeply. Sharing our hearts can change the world.

Live With Passion

Man, unlike the animal, has never learned that 

the sole purpose of life is to enjoy it.

-Samuel Butler

Life is supposed to be fun and lived with gusto!  We hope this poem touches your heart and reminds you to enjoy every day.

The Dash Poem

by Linda Ellis

I read of a man who stood to speak

At the funeral of a friend.

He referred to the dates on her tombstone

From the beginning to the end.

He noted that first came the date of her birth

And spoke of the following date with tears,

But he said what mattered most of all

Was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time

That she spent alive on earth

And now only those who loved her

Know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own,

The cars, the house, the cash,

What matters is how we live and love

And how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard;

Are there things you'd like to change?

For you never know how much time is left

That can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough

To consider what's true and real

And always try to understand

The way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger

And show appreciation more

And love the people in our lives

Like we've never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect

And more often wear a smile,

Remembering that this special dash

Might only last a little while.

So when your eulogy is being read

With your life's actions to rehash

Would you be proud of the things they say

About how you spent your dash?

All our best for the terrific week!

Susan and Dorothy 

We can disagree without being disagreeable

You cannot shake hands with a clenched fist.

Indira Gandi

Try as I may to distance myself from the influences of the media, politics, and general discord the world is currently experiencing, staying out of the fray has become a full-time and, sometimes, exhausting effort. I fear it’s taking its toll on me. There is definitely a disturbance in the force, and I’m feeling a little “off.”

It occurred to me recently that my conversations with others who do not necessarily share my views/values have been less conscious and more defensive and pejorative than is my usual way. Born of my own fears and sense of uncertainty, I realize I’ve been taking on the role of converter or judge, and in so doing, have diluted and distorted my authenticity, as well as the truths I hold dear.

I do not like this disagreeable me. So, I am working hard to renew my hope that though I cannot end the wars, stop the hunger, or the MADNESS that seem to have all of humanity off balance right now, I can, by being an honorable, compassionate citizen of the world, soften the hard edges a bit. I believe this matters, so am committed to doing the work. 

It is time for me to drop the rocks of fear, judgment, resentment and uncertainty I seem to be clenching so tightly right now.  It is time for us all to put down the guns, the labels, the inequity of supremacy and entitlement and offer instead an outstretched hand of trust, understanding and acceptance. I have come to understand that an outstretched hand does not require that we give up our values or beliefs; it simply enables us to look beyond the conflict to the common ground of our humanity, and reminds us that we can disagree without being disagreeable.

The other day I found myself in a conversation that had the potential of escalating into a true brouhaha. As the “THEM vs US” lines began being drawn, I forced myself to look directly into the eyes of the person whose attitude was becoming the most defensive and began mentally ticking off the things about him I knew we had in common:  Like me, he loves his family, has bills to pay, cares about the environment, votes, volunteers and kisses his dog on the lips. I couldn’t help but giggle. And, when I told him of the dog-kissing image I was holding in my mind, he giggled, too, then reached out his hand and said, “Let’s put this to rest and go find some dogs to kiss!”

Scott Russell Sanders, whose essays have been said to “cleanse the door of perception”, offers a thoughtful perspective when he asks in Hunting for Hope, “If compassion won't reach across the dinner table, how can it reach across the globe?” Peace will come out of celebrating our commonalities, not in emphasizing our differences.

It starts with me.

Dorothy

Dorothy:   The slower pace of the darker days has arrived. I look forward to this time of year, to gathering up my loose ends and settling into nesting mode. I will make soup today, read a good book, and enjoy the autumnal landscape outside my window. I hope there is a peaceful space in your day too.

Susan:  Once again, business travel has filled this week with opportunities to connect with people who are generous with their kindness. It’s truly a gift to realize how many of us are endeavoring to make our world a little more balanced.

Thank you friends for your continued support and enthusiasm!  We're happy to welcome so many new followers and hope you're finding inspiration here.  Please let us know your thoughts and suggestions..either here at the blog, on Facebook, or at our email addresses: 

Dorothy@the51percentproject.com or Susan@the51percentproject.com

Ahhh, the Memories

Make joyful memories often,

they will sustain you forever.

Susan Amidon

I believe that life is supposed to be an adventure and the past few weeks have been full of adventure, fun, and reminiscing.        

The founders of the company I’ve been associated with for more than 20 years have recently retired and this week was their retirement celebration.  Former employees came from all around the West to celebrate with them.  It has been years since I’ve seen many of the guests and it was so fun to reconnect, look at photos from years past and reminisce about the good times, as well as the awkward times, we shared.  Everyone was happy and eager to be a part the festivities.  So many pieces of our lives have been spent together, it was terrific to reconnect and update each other with our more recent adventures.  

Seeing old friends has made me think about how fortunate I am to have so many remarkable people in my life.  I’m one of the luckiest people I know ... I work with some of the most amazing people, from my knowledgeable and forward thinking clients to the willing and talented team members who make my work success possible.    I have a loving and accomplished family, friends and acquaintances who are inspiring and help me think outside of the box as well as make me laugh and remember that life is best when shared in joy and appreciation of all that we have.  

A couple of weeks ago I told you about my raccoon friend ... I’ve named him Hairy Houdini ... and how he drew me into his nocturnal adventure by inviting himself into my home.  He’s still making regular forays to my yard, enjoying the smorgasbord of treats placed in the trap set especially for him, and then somehow letting himself out of the trap to continue on his merry way.  His fearlessness, determination, and curiosity inspires me and I find myself drawn to the road less traveled to see what inspiration and fun I can find there.   

What I’m finding is kind and helpful people willing to go out of their way to help others, new ideas and opportunities, and some very funny conversations.  Most everyone I meet seems to be in a similar place; trying to redefine their purpose and move to a more meaningful and fulfilling life.   I think this is a needed change of perspective from the decadence of the past decade or so.

Adventure calls and I want to answer ... will you join me?     

Susan

Susan:  This week will include business travel and creative problem solving, I’ll be tapping into my joyful memories for stress relief and smiles. 

Dorothy:  Susan and I will have to duke it out for the title of luckiest person in the world this week! How can I not win - I have Susan in my work and play life!  Her ever positive twist on life is such a great tonic against the frequent grumblings of the greater world.  I'm lucky and grateful to be traveling this part of my road of life with her!  Thank you Suz!

Teach Your Children Well

We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.

                      - Sir Winston Churchill

While in Montana this summer, I had the always-pleasurable opportunity to visit with my friend, Ben Kestner, educator extraordinaire, and his beautiful wife and daughter.   They were in the states on leave from their current residence in Waterloo, Belgium, where Ben holds the post of Principal of the Middle School at St John’s International School. 

Though Ben and I shared many inspiring and uplifting conversations, the details of the Pay it Forward experience his students participated in was most memorable. So, I asked him to write out the story, and for permission to share it here on the 51% Project blog.

It seems fitting to share Ben’s story with you today, as this weekend our friends Charley Johnson of The Pay it Forward Experience - www.PIFexpereince.org, and James and Alicia Hadlock, of Soul Centers Resort - www.Soulcenters.org, were to host the First Annual Pay it Forward Conference in Heber City, UT. Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond their control, the conference has been postponed. Look for updates on rescheduling here at The 51% Project in the months ahead. In the meantime, please visit the websites linked above and be inspired, uplifted and changed by the stories and words of wisdom they share.

Above all, keep the movement going forward, as Ben and his students are doing.

Susan and I hope you’ll be as moved and motivated as we are by this beautiful lesson in “Right Action.” Wouldn’t it be nice if we all incorporated the principles of Ben’s CARE campaign into our lives – and of course, paid it forward every day!

Paying it Forward in Waterloo, Belgium

250 Middle school student streamed into the theatre at our school last October to watch Mimi Leder’s film, Pay it Forward, staring Kevin Spacy and Helen Hunt.  The film was to act as a stimulus for conversations in their “advisories” across the three grades, 6th, 7th and 8th and was timed to coincide with a new campaign at school – “CARE (Communicate, Assist, Respect, Encourage) at St. John’s.”

Creating, or nurturing, a climate of ‘CARE’ is crucial in schools and is a huge part of the curriculum framework we developed which looks at ‘key competences’ we want our kids to know and master across all subjects and, indeed, through their lives in and out of school. This competency based curriculum approach differs from pure knowledge based curriculum, which ‘prepares’ kids for high stakes testing and trains them to be extraordinary ‘regurgitaters’. In a competency based (skills based) framework, the emphasis is on skills or qualities that we see as vital for their lifelong learning and wellbeing.

The 7 key competences which run through our curriculum are:

     Knower of Self
     Global Connector
     Creator
     Communicator
     Collaborator
     Explorer
     Thinker

An example: say you are a Math teacher. You teach Math right? Wrong. You help students to understand Math through these competences. How much does your kid know about her or himself; how can Math connect to the world and how do other cultures approach math; what can you create using math; how can you communicate through math, how do you collaborate, explore and think?

Now back to the film or movie! The idea of doing something for someone else fits in with exactly what we are trying to achieve through the competencies. It involves caring, sure, but you also need to be able to connect and communicate.

If you seen the movie than you will understand that there wasn’t a dry eye in the house at the end (I won’t give away exact details in case you haven’t seen it – but encourage you to go rent it today!!!) We had a brief feedback session immediately following the viewing and then the kids made their way back to their advisories. The conversations I popped in on were fascinating. There was a real sense of injustice initially about the end of the movie. They didn’t want it to end the way it did, but then came the ideas for action! Grade 6 already had a ‘make a difference’ day in place and decided to use themes from the film to help plan it.

What stood out the most as I made my way around the school in the weeks that followed, was a real sense of well-being, a feeling backed up by some wonderful examples of paying it forward, from the girl who stayed on by herself after a basketball game to tidy up the bleachers without telling anyone, to offers of helping students who seemed to be unhappy or bullied. Doing things for others without reward.

An important aspect of any organization – business, school, family, community -  is a sense of shared values - a common ground amongst all involved.  As more and more people experience the well-being that comes from mutual respect and genuine caring, it creates a tipping point - (51%). The more we can spread the love; the more love will be spread. Give a little love and it all comes back to you.

I’d be happy to share more information about our curriculum or if you are passing through Belgium, pop by our school and I’ll show you around.

Ben Kestner

You will find a link to Ben’s blog in our sidebar or follow him on twitter @kestnertweet.

Masks and Transformation

Life is change.  Growth is optional.  Choose wisely.

-Karen Kaiser Clark

This has been a very busy and stressful week for me.  Last night really tipped the scale when I was met face-to-face with a very substantial raccoon letting himself into my house through the very small cat door.  To say the very least, it was a shocking experience to have him make eye contact with me as if asking me why I was screaming, jumping up and down, and clapping my hands at him.  You would have thought I was the intruder!

After calling to warn my neighbors about our local Houdini, calming my cats down, moving the litter box indoors, and making sure the sliding covers were locked in place over the double cat doors, I was able to calm down and feel secure going to bed.  But, remembering the raccoon’s knowing eyes as he looked at me through his mask got me thinking about the masks I’ve used to help me through different phases and situations in my life.   Masks can be tools for transformation.  A calm and confident mask helps me to keep moving through stressful or fearful situations.  Using a mask of strength has helped me through situations where I felt weak and unqualified for the task at hand.  I think we all use different masks to present a different face to the world so that we can achieve success.  They are a source of protection.

During the past couple of years I’ve made some dramatic changes to the balance of my work and personal life and it’s required me to don some new masks to help me redefine myself and my new purpose.  I semi-retired from the corporate world and set my professional-career-woman mask aside to discover what I could do with my creative aspirations, something I’ve never taken time to develop.  

It’s a challenging transformation to remake a life.  To help with the process I decided to use some new masks.  There’s the mask of creative confidence I use to write and put my “stuff” out into cyber-space, and the mask of social confidence that encourages me to spend more time connecting with my neighbors and using skills I developed in the business world to help my community.

This new phase of life requires being curious in ways that I’ve never been open to before.  The confidence and willingness to explore new and unknown territory shown to me by my furry, masked visitor was an inspiration to me.  I’m going to borrow his mask of fearlessness for a while to see how it helps me grow. 

Susan 

SUSAN:    It’s been a very busy fall for everyone I know.   I’m grateful for the beautiful leaves and sunshine, but also looking forward to the family holiday parties and get togethers with friends and neighbors; and a little time for hibernation, too.  

DOROTHY:  As Susan points out…the critters are moving!  This week we had a family of moose walking down Main Street in town. Last week the geese bid us farewell and turned south.  The birds and squirrels are eating like lions and even the bees, though clearly slowed by the chilled air, seem aBUZZ (oh, so bad!!!) with the change in the air! Fall beckons me to slow down, to draw inward, to tuck in loose ends, to pour a cup of tea and take stock of what I’ve “laid-in” over the past months. My heart and soul are so full of wonderful travel memories, exciting new experiences, and loving gestures by family and friends. I am sated. LET IT SNOW!

Lessons from Geese

"The autumn hill gathers the remaining light,
A flying bird chases after its companion.
The green color is bright
And brings me into the moment,
like a sunset mist that has no fixed place."
                            Wang Wei

The first Winter Storm Advisory went up yesterday here on the Wasatch Back. Snow is expected by week’s end and messages about snow tires and boots fill my mailbox. The shift feels both melancholy and exhilarating!  I’m sad that the glorious autumn we’ve enjoyed is waning but grateful for the opportunities I’ve had to soak it up: the epic hikes, soul-filling vistas, and dinners on the deck in OCTOBER – these memories will help to warm my heart in the months ahead. Soon, I’ll be storing my walking stick and pulling out the snowshoes to enjoy new adventures in the pristine drifts in the meadows near my home.  To everything there is a season…..

Yesterday I decided to head into the yard to get some of the leaves raked off the lawn before the flakes fly.  Even though the blustery wind had turned my plan into a rather futile exercise, it was warm and sunny, the dog was providing great entertainment chasing leaves and bees and grasshoppers, so I lingered. I’m so glad I did, for otherwise I would have missed the, possibly, last flock of geese passing by; a sight and sound that always moves me! 

The scene made me think of a seminar I attended sometime ago, and I’d like to share the “take away” (still with me after many years) with you:

Lessons from Geese

1.    As each goose flaps its wings, it creates uplift for others behind it. There is 71 percent more flying range in V-formation that in flying alone.

~Lesson: People who share a common direction and sense of purpose can get there more quickly.

2.    Whenever a goose flies out of formation, it feels drag and tries to get back into position.

               ~Lesson: It's harder to do something alone than together.

3.    When the lead goose gets tired, it rotates back into formation and another goose flies at the head.

~Lesson: Shared leadership and interdependence give us each a chance to lead as well as an opportunity to rest.

4.    The geese flying in the rear of the formation honk to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.

  ~Lesson: Encouragement is motivating. We need to make sure our "honking" is encouraging - and not discouraging.

5.    When a goose gets sick or wounded and falls, two geese fall out and stay with it until it revives or dies. Then they catch up or join another flock.

 ~Lesson: We should stand by our colleagues in difficult times as well as when we are strong.

 

Nothing puts me in the moment, and in the reality of my place and connectedness to the greater world, better than a little nudge from nature.  We are all part of a bigger picture. Whether in our family circles, our workplace teams, our community’s development, or our world’s betterment, our individual choice and commitment to do the right thing strengthens the greater good for all.

Fly with the greatness of others, do your part today, and every day!

Wishing you joy in all seasons,

Dorothy

(In attempting to properly acknowledge the author of the above, I found Lessons from Geese attributed to a number of different people:  Dr. Robert McNeish, Milton Olson, Angeles Arrien and Ryugen Fisher.  I thank them all for their contribution)

Dorothy - I ended this chilly week wrapped in a blanket of comfort and joy provided, with love, from some very special members of my "flock".  Thank you Mother Geese!

Susan - The days have cooled, it’s time to begin nesting and preparing for some regeneration time.  This year, my regeneration includes reconnecting with the past.  I’m relishing the warmth and support found in both young and old friendships.