Happy Sunday, dear friends. Did anyone else go a bit looney the last few days? I mean, I know the energies, in general, have been intense, but I thought something was driving me a bit off the deep end.
What a relief I felt, when I realized it was the full moon! We are also experiencing Mercury Retrograde until June 12th, and so it’s no wonder that I didn’t remember it was a full moon.
While I don’t live my life specifically by the stars, I do know many who practice astrology, and much of the information that has been presented to me over the years is spot on.
Truth be told, when slogging through a deep trough of difficulty, it is always an amazing relief to get support from the alignment of the stars. I honor them, and I also generally check them when both good things and difficult things occur. It’s lovely to become aware of another natural cycle that supports us as it quietly weaves its way through space and time.
So while you are all wishing upon a star, or looking for shooting stars on some night in the future, remember that the stars aligned for your blessed entry into this world, and they are another one of your personal guardians and guides that were bestowed on you by a blessed and supportive universe!
Using electronic banking, a charitable start-up is making a difference in poverty.
The Golden Age of Gaia team has always been proud of the fact that every single dollar donated to the Hope Chest for lightworker support, has gone directly to those in need of emergency assistance. That is why this story stood out for me, because this new start-up charity has been doing the same thing in developing African nations.
A person in sub-Saharan Africa is 60 times more likely to have a mobile financial account than a European, and so GiveDirectly has chosen to use this regional financial feature as a way to tackle extreme poverty.
They focus on a given village, and determine the families that are struggling the most. They then send those families a year’s salary. No strings attached.
The program was founded by graduates of MIT and Harvard, who wished to put the aid-intervention platform to the test. Numerous research studies showed that direct cash transfers, of significant funding, actually increased the overall income and well-being of the families by as much as 80% over two years. While the preconception is that recipients would spend the money unwisely, the truth is actually the opposite.
I recently discussed the idea of “taking money off the table” with our dear Andrea Scully, and we both agreed that removing survival stress allows a being to open up creatively and get productive.
I believe that GiveDirectly has created a program that statistically proves this to be true. Imagine an entire world where all needs are met and beings can simply do what draws their heart? I call that heaven on earth!
How a crisis of the soul, on an Alaskan mountaintop, led a man to his inspiring life purpose.
Allan Barsema knows he is lucky to have had a second chance. A life of alcoholism and loss led him to the top of a mountain in Alaska, where he wished to end his life.
As life would have it, that was not the plan, and he accepted help from his parents to get back on his feet. His experiences led him through addiction, loss and homelessness, and while he would not wish to repeat his past, he realizes now that it was training for what would become his life purpose.
Barsema opened a construction company in a deserted warehouse in Rockford, IL called Carpenter’s Place. As fate would have it, a local cafe closed, down and the area homeless no longer had a place to gather and eat.
Barsema’s heart went out to them, and so he closed his business and began to focus on supporting the homeless in concrete and integrative ways.
While he understands the idea of benevolent assistance, he knows from experience that folks need services, integrative help and respect. They do not wish to be seen as a charity case, which many benevolent charities perpetuate in Barsema’s estimation.
With so many services operating inclusively and not communicating with each other, many homeless individuals were falling through the cracks. He developed a revolutionary software called MPOWR which linked all available services to each individual. He also began to work with church groups and convinced them to specialize their services instead of all offering overlapping services. This alone, increased the value of services by expanding and focusing them.
The platform he created is now being adopted by other cities, because it works so well. It gives the highest benefit to the individual, so they can receive what they need to truly feel supported and work towards a happier life.
In 2010 Barsema received an Encore Award for his projects and he funneled the $100,000 prize money right back into the programs.
Allan Barsema is living proof that difficulty and struggle often illuminates our life’s purpose, and gives us the experiences we need to deeply understand social issues and create innovative and lasting solutions.
Meet the Once-Homeless Man Who Revolutionized How We Care for the Homeless by A Wolfe for Take Part
Stories in Every Stitch.
I am always inspired by groups that support local artisans, as with the Fair Trade model. This short video about a partnership with local women artisans in East Timor made me so happy!
Swags World (Simply Women and Girls in a Sustainable World) has a single focused directive. They wish to empower girls and women, in developing nations, by valuing their cultural art-forms and craftsmanship, and creating markets for their products.
This story focuses on a beautiful hand made doll that tells a story. The group draws women into an actual circle of co-creation, and yes, they actually use that term! These types of projects certainly are the forerunners of a world that works for everyone, where indigenous products and craftsmanship are highly valued and honored with appropriate levels of energy exchange.
Stories in Every Stitch on KarmaTube
What do Pizza and Stranded Travelers have in common? Kindness!
Recently, an airplane in Atlantic City, NJ, experienced mechanical problems and the flight was canceled. As the airport is a small regional one, the entire complex was closed up for the night, leaving hundreds of people stranded without food.
Quick thinking and kind area police officers, decided to order pizza for the passengers, and they paid for it with their own money.
They didn’t make a big deal about it, but the passengers were obviously grateful, and the incident made the rounds of social media. Many shared comments about how this is the type of lovely story that should be shared far and wide, to help people have more faith in the kindness of all humans, and especially those in official positions.
I completely agree, and so I share it with you all today. As followers of Feel Good News, we know that kindness exists and is spread every single day. It is often spread silently, and without fanfare. When incidents like this occur, and are picked up by social media and finally main stream media, it gives the general public a glimpse into what we all know to be true. People care and are willing to help those in need.
And Finally…
Some fearless animal friends.
While this video is a bit “reporty,” I find it very inspiring. It tells the stories of a number of animals that have come to the rescue of humans. Some of the animals knew the humans they assisted, but many did not and some of the animals are wild.
I find it so heart opening to see how species interact, and especially how animals can sense danger and come to the rescue. I believe that angels can show up to help in many forms, and these animals are obvious examples!
Animals who have saved humans on YouTube
That’s the good news for today. Have a joyous day. Please join Gavin Harrill for the Golden Gaia News Roundup on Monday.
Be Well. Be Joy. Be Love!
Alex