Tag: Hope

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Finding ways to help: EFL in action

My dear friends, Jaya and Joy, are co-directors of the Living Wisdom School here at Ananda Village. I received their school newsletter this morning and it was so inspiring that I just had to share it in today’s blog.

Schools and students like these give me hope for the world. 😇

Yesterday, as I was working in the office, two of our students walked in with bright smiles. “Jaya, do you know what we’re doing this recess?” they asked, their delight lighting up the room. I looked up, intrigued. “No,” I replied, “tell me all about it.”

Their answer went straight to my heart: “We’re walking around and finding ways to help. Do you need any help?”

In that moment, I saw a powerful example of the Education for Life principle of Cooperation and Service in action. These kids chose to spend their free time actively looking for ways to be of service, purely from the kindness within. Their desire to help wasn’t assigned or required; it was a natural expression of empathy and care—a reflection of their inner growth and values.

It’s moments like these that remind us how these principles are more than just words; they are practices that shape who our students are becoming. When young people learn to see themselves as part of something greater and feel the joy of serving others, they grow into the kind of individuals who truly make a difference.

Thank you parents for sharing your incredible young ones with us! They truly light up our school and give hope for a brighter future.

With love, 
Jaya & Joy

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A satisfying movie night

We watched “A Man Called Otto” tonight and enjoyed it very much.

Of course, you can’t go wrong with Tom Hanks. We also really enjoyed the supporting cast, especially “Marisol” (played by Mariana Treviño) and an oh-so-elegant kitty.

The movie made us think, as well as evoking a wide range of emotions. There was sadness, for sure, but it was ultimately life-affirming.

One review referred to it as a “tender message of hopefulness and spiritual renewal” and I have to agree.

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Where there’s life, there’s hope

Beautiful but unexpected blossoms, high in a tree

The other day I was out for a walk when I noticed some unexpected blossoms way up high in a tree.

They seemed so out of place that I stopped to take a closer look. What I discovered is that most of the tree looked completely dead, but this one branch was vibrant with LIFE.

And what came to my mind is “As long as there’s life, there’s hope.”

It was a very uplifting moment.

The rest of the tree looks dead
But this branch is vibrant with LIFE
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Winter: time of rest and hope

Artwork by Jessica Boehman

Being in seclusion during the recent snowstorms has prompted me to reflect on the winter solstice wisdom of slowing down and going within.

And in doing so, I remembered that I had set aside the following article (written by Brigit Anna McNeill) to share on the solstice (oops!), but I realize it’s just as appropriate a week late, as winter really gets underway!

The winter solstice time is no longer celebrated as it once was, with the understanding that this is a period of descent and rest, of going within our homes, within ourselves and taking in all that we have been through, all that has passed in this full year which is coming to a close… like nature and the animal kingdom around us, this time of hibernation is so necessary for our tired limbs, our burdened minds.

Our modern culture teaches avoidance at a max at this time; alcohol, lights, shopping, overworking, over spending, comfort food and consumerism.

And yet the natural tug to go inwards as nearly all creatures are doing is strong and the weather so bitter that people are left feeling that winter is hard, because for those of us without burning fires and big festive families, it can be lonely and isolating. Whereas in actual fact winter is kind, she points us in her quiet soft way towards our inner self, towards this annual time of peace and reflection, embracing the darkness and forgiving, accepting and loving embracing goodbye the past year.

“Winter takes away the distractions, the buzz, and presents us with the perfect time to rest and withdraw into a womb-like love, bringing fire & light to our hearth”… and then, just around the corner the new year will begin again, and like a seed planted deep in the earth, we will all rise with renewed energy once again to dance in the sunlight.

And here’s an article by David G. Allan (editorial director for CNN Travel, Style, Science and Wellness), for which I also felt a deep resonance: Winter’s wisdom: In the heart of darkness, there is a light

He ends with these beautiful and hopeful words:
And in the winter, go deep inside yourself and get snug and comfortable there if you’re able. This is a dark time — and this winter seems particularly bleak and deadly — but there is always a light of hope. Look for the light, warm yourself by it, and follow it out.

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Ah, Italia!

Musicians played Vivaldi atop the artist Livio De Marchi’s floating violin in the Grand Canal in Venice. Credit…Susan Wright for The New York Times

I’m so glad my friend sent me a link to this article about a giant violin floating down the Grand Canal in Venice. I mean, talk about thinking outside the box!

The entire article is well worth reading, but I was particularly touched by these paragraphs…

De Marchi named the work “Noah’s Violin,” because like the ark, it was meant to bring a message of hope after a storm, in this case a message that promoted “art, culture and music,” he said.

And…

Leone Zannovello, the president of the consortium, said that the project had revived enthusiasm at the shipyard on the island of Giudecca, where it was made, after the darkest days of the coronavirus pandemic. Companies and individuals who weren’t part of the group even offered to help out, he said. “It was something that united us even more,” he said. “We worked with our hearts.”

This reminds me of stories I’ve read about how Swamiji would respond to a community crisis by launching a big expansive project. Something to raise energy, generate enthusiasm, and bring people together.

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Easter love, hope & possibilities

As a child I loved Easter even more than Christmas. There wasn’t all the fuss about gifts; I liked jelly beans more than chocolate; and we got new Easter clothes to wear to church.

Now I understand that what I really love is the resurgence of hope, of infinite possibilities, of love triumphant which the combination of Easter and springtime awakens in my heart year after year, without fail.

Happy Easter. 🙏

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My prayer for tonight

May we all be United in the intention of Peace and Healing for the benefit of all beings. Namaste.

Molly Mele

I’m so grateful Biden and Harris won and I’m feeling the joy of hopeful new beginnings. In the next few days I hope to share some thoughts about compassion and empathy; about being magnanimous and gracious in victory; and about not falling into the trap of “othering”.

But for tonight, I’m content with this prayer.

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Drawing on hope

I tried to write a completely different blog post tonight, but it just wouldn’t come together. So I’m falling back on something from yesterday (or was it the day before?).

At any rate, it’s a song I’ve loved ever since I was young and it lifts my spirits during challenging times.

Walk on
Walk on
With hope in your heart
And you’ll never walk alone…

It’s from the musical Carousel, which is maybe the only Rodgers and Hammerstein musical that I couldn’t watch all the way through. I just couldn’t stomach the plot, but — oh my goodness! it had wonderful music. And this song is particularly pertinent in these times, when we need all the hope we can get.