Do you believe that your contributions are really helping the less fortunate? Do you want to know where the tax dollers and honerable contributions for the needy are really going? Have you been told that there are pleanty of services, programs, and much help given to the empoverished people in your community? I asked these same questions and would like to share my experience with you.
I came to the Mendocino Coast with two kids and a husband, as has already been revealed in past posts. We had very little money and employment was limited. My spouse and I also have mental and physical dissabilities. Soon our life of strife became too difficult and we seperated. I did not know anyone in my surrounding community and did not know where to go for assistance. I found myself in a relationship where the man was not as honerable as he had presented himself to be, having issues of his own. Of my own lack of knowledge, I did not make the right decisions for me and my children and was rendered homeless and alone.
Over the past two years I have been enrolled in a number of programs designed to help people learn skills of coping and living without allowing oneself to become a victim again. The housing component is very strict and limited on the Mendocino coast. After struggling for a year and a half on my own, I became willing to ask for a bed at the Hospitality House. It soon became clear that the limited space provided to homeless in my community was not enough and that the rules of the house are such that the homeless have very little opportunity to keep their bed for longer than two weeks before they are kicked to the curb and someone else takes their spot.
This environment, combined with the limited resorces for mental health, has created a vaccuume for those who do not fit in between the lines.
In July of 2013 I attended a meeting of the Mendocino Mental Health Board Committe along with a group of representatives from my community. The discussion was centered around what is to be done with over 8.5 million tax dollars allotted for mental health clients in Mendocino County. There were representitives from different organizations and mental health groups from inland communities to the outstreatch of the coastal community. Many of these representatives are in the business of providing mental health services for the youth and young adults of our county.
The discussion revolved around what OMG Corporation, a independent entity contracted to organize and streamline mental services to Mendocino County residents, was going to do with funds allocated to assist in providing mental health assistance for our community and the 'Less Fortunate', provided through independant contributions and our tax dollars set aside. When asked about what resources would be provided to the coastal community, several board members and the representative of OMG expressed that there were some programs which would be combined and that there would be more outreach programs provided to the youth in those outlying communities. They also were unable to define the exact dollar amount allotted to this portion of the county.
When asked what resources were going to be provided for the victims of domestic violence, a board member who used to work for Project Santctuary proclaimed that that was not a part of the burden of the Mental Health Board. She went on to proclaim that Project Santctuary provides the necessary aid for those who have suffered such injury. When it was further elaborated that there was very little assistance provided in my circumstance and that there is no shelter for victims of domestic violence on the coast, she replied that there is a shelter in Ukiah which such victims are directed to. She went on to say that this issue was not a mental health conscern, but a matter for Child and Family Protective Services. Another board member suggested that if I had any plan to present them for this cause that I should submit them a proposal.
Being one of the members of our community who has suffered injury due to a domestic dispute, I have expereienced very little in the way of help from the organizations set up in my community. The alarming thing is that there are many others who are not being assisted and the resources available are discriminating and biased to the point of causing great injury and, sometimes, death to those they are supposed to be helping.
Our communitie's health depends upon the health of those individuals who are in desperate need as much as those who have the ability to see to their own health. With only a mere 10% of the financial budget for mental health programs acutally being received by those who it is meant to be for, how is this really a 'hand-up' and not a 'hand-out'?
In light of this discrepency, some women have begun to join together in my community in an effort to acquire funding and support for a shelter for victims of domestic violence and their children on the coast of Mendocino County. It is not easy, when all of the financial support has been siphoned off to government agencies and service providers for the treatment of the mentally ill.
Therefor, an independant group has begun to take shape and can be sought out by those who have access to the internet. The group is called "Women Against Abuse Unite", and this group is tenoulously taking shape. It is the group's intention to acquire a board of directors who will be instrumental in creating a shelter for victims of domestic violence on the Mendocino Coast, with programs centered around self sufficiency and better decision making skills, as well as how to cope with the effects of domestic violence upon the victim as well as those who witnessed it.
If you feel passionate about helping those less fortunate than yourself and you have come to a realization that there is still not enough support out there for those who need it, I beseech you to seek out the truth for yourself and, if you are so moved, join in to help victims of domestic violence recover both mentally and physically. To learn more about what this private group of women is doing, please visit us on our Facebook page; "Women Against Abuse Unite". We welcome contributors and victims alike. I can not do it alone, but WE can make a difference together.
There is no excuse for abuse; physical, mental, emotional, or economical. If you do not want to help victims of domestic violence specifically, there are pleanty of opportunities for you to volunteere in your community to give a helping hand up to those of us suffering in economic strife.
Thursday, January 2, 2014
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Searching for Peace
Perhaps the best place to start this conversation is at the beginning. But where is the beginning?
Where does this story begin? Where does it end? One story's ending is usually the beginning of another story.
There have been times of turmoil in life which have been eclipsed by brief moments of peace and bliss. When those moments arrive, we want nothing more than for time to stop, and all else cease to exist.
That never happens and the peace invariably collapses into chaos as the world comes crashing in. Much of what we envision in life is more complicated than we would like it to be. Everyone has their own perception of what the world should be and this perception never meets in the middle with what really is.
Thus we are always searching for Peace. We yearn for it more than anything else. We think that money, power, prestige, a good job, a good relationship, children, or something else will be the key to unlock the door on Peace. And it sometimes does, for a while, at least.
In my life I have experienced a series of different lives, looking for Peace. I am sure many of you are be able to relate to this course.
There was a time, not too long ago, when I thought that I had found true Love. I thought I had found my soul-mate. We walked along the same path together for a long time. I listened to every word that came out of his mouth as if it were liquid gold. I believed that our souls were intertwined and that we were meant to resolve our soul karma together through conflict resolution.
I spent years meditating on how to be a better woman and wife to this man. I tried to heal him and bring healing to our relationship at every turn, only to discover that he was using more medications to counteract my intentions. He kept defeating our relationship, because deep in his heart, he thought that he did not deserve me in his life. He felt so guilty that he had entrapped me that he was trying to kill himself to relieve me of the burden of caring for him.
From my perspective, I could not allow him to die, because I felt morally responsible for his well being and the well being of our children. When I finally had enough of his abuse, the only way I could break this cycle of abuse and violence was to violently tear myself away from the relationship.
"This is not the way to Peace," I cried, and cried, and cried... for days.
TO BE CONTINUED.....
Earth College Indigo Action Lyra's Prisms Luv 'n' Sweets Lyra's Prisms Art
Where does this story begin? Where does it end? One story's ending is usually the beginning of another story.
There have been times of turmoil in life which have been eclipsed by brief moments of peace and bliss. When those moments arrive, we want nothing more than for time to stop, and all else cease to exist.
That never happens and the peace invariably collapses into chaos as the world comes crashing in. Much of what we envision in life is more complicated than we would like it to be. Everyone has their own perception of what the world should be and this perception never meets in the middle with what really is.
Thus we are always searching for Peace. We yearn for it more than anything else. We think that money, power, prestige, a good job, a good relationship, children, or something else will be the key to unlock the door on Peace. And it sometimes does, for a while, at least.
In my life I have experienced a series of different lives, looking for Peace. I am sure many of you are be able to relate to this course.
There was a time, not too long ago, when I thought that I had found true Love. I thought I had found my soul-mate. We walked along the same path together for a long time. I listened to every word that came out of his mouth as if it were liquid gold. I believed that our souls were intertwined and that we were meant to resolve our soul karma together through conflict resolution.
I spent years meditating on how to be a better woman and wife to this man. I tried to heal him and bring healing to our relationship at every turn, only to discover that he was using more medications to counteract my intentions. He kept defeating our relationship, because deep in his heart, he thought that he did not deserve me in his life. He felt so guilty that he had entrapped me that he was trying to kill himself to relieve me of the burden of caring for him.
From my perspective, I could not allow him to die, because I felt morally responsible for his well being and the well being of our children. When I finally had enough of his abuse, the only way I could break this cycle of abuse and violence was to violently tear myself away from the relationship.
"This is not the way to Peace," I cried, and cried, and cried... for days.
TO BE CONTINUED.....
Earth College Indigo Action Lyra's Prisms Luv 'n' Sweets Lyra's Prisms Art
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
They can never kill the message. Let there be Peace on Earth.
Why do we always kill the messenger?
Through out history there have been many messengers of peace and they often end up being killed. Some of these messengers throughout history who were killed were:
Jesus
Gandhi
Martin Luther King
Robert Kennedy
John Lennon
and many more. I goggled it today and found a site which lists over 40 peacemakers assassinated dating back from 415AD to 2009. You can see the list at Olive Tree.
More and more, we are a culture that has lost our moral compass.
Gandhi once said that the Seven Deadly Social Sins of this world are:
Politics without principles,
Wealth without work,
Commerce without morality,
Pleasure without character,
Science without humanity,
and Worship without sacrifice.
So many people have become utterly complacent and numb to the world's tragedies that it seems almost impossible to overturn this wave of utter negligence.
What if there was a simple action you could commit to that would help change humanity?
With so much propaganda, movies, shows, and even school recruiters enlisting the attention of many young children and adults into the fear based system of our world, who is going to promote unity and peace? Who is going to offer an alternative to violence and separation for the youth?
Would you pledge to become a Warrior of Peace? Would you spend a little of your time each day sending out messages of non-violent communication and cooperation? Would you go to your local school and promote integration and diversity instead of separation and bullying
Visit I Declare World Peace. Become a peace advocate in your community. Check out the work that schools across the nation are participating in to stop the bullying by Teaching Tolerance; Mix it Up.
They may have killed many of the messengers, but they can never kill the message. Make your pledges today and become the change that you want to see in the world.
Earth College Indigo Action Lyra's Prisms Luv 'n' Sweets
Through out history there have been many messengers of peace and they often end up being killed. Some of these messengers throughout history who were killed were:
Jesus
Gandhi
Martin Luther King
Robert Kennedy
John Lennon
and many more. I goggled it today and found a site which lists over 40 peacemakers assassinated dating back from 415AD to 2009. You can see the list at Olive Tree.
More and more, we are a culture that has lost our moral compass.
Gandhi once said that the Seven Deadly Social Sins of this world are:
Politics without principles,
Wealth without work,
Commerce without morality,
Pleasure without character,
Science without humanity,
and Worship without sacrifice.
So many people have become utterly complacent and numb to the world's tragedies that it seems almost impossible to overturn this wave of utter negligence.
What if there was a simple action you could commit to that would help change humanity?
With so much propaganda, movies, shows, and even school recruiters enlisting the attention of many young children and adults into the fear based system of our world, who is going to promote unity and peace? Who is going to offer an alternative to violence and separation for the youth?
Would you pledge to become a Warrior of Peace? Would you spend a little of your time each day sending out messages of non-violent communication and cooperation? Would you go to your local school and promote integration and diversity instead of separation and bullying
Visit I Declare World Peace. Become a peace advocate in your community. Check out the work that schools across the nation are participating in to stop the bullying by Teaching Tolerance; Mix it Up.
They may have killed many of the messengers, but they can never kill the message. Make your pledges today and become the change that you want to see in the world.
Earth College Indigo Action Lyra's Prisms Luv 'n' Sweets
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Speak Out For a Peaceful Resolution
Quinn and I spent many a Peace Vigil hour on the streets in Bristol, Vermont from 2005-2006 holding a sign for peace. My sign read "Don't allow our Children to Learn that War is the only Solution!" (I had pictures of this at one point in time but they have disappeared in the fray of separation.)
Peace Vigil-To be vigilant in spreading the messages of peace, compassion, tolerance, and unity.
Vigilance-being watchful (mindful); maintain attention for an extended period of time; focused.
One way to look at this is that it is our conscious realization of our reality and the understanding that our thoughts make the 'reality' of life what it is. Through people's focus on fear and terror, that is
what has been realized. Perhaps a good way to transform this energy is to spread peace through our thoughts, actions and reactions.
We have seen what others can do, feeding on fear, but that is not necessarily what has to happen. Focusing on peace and rebuilding through peace and compassion takes time and planning, but will be
extremely effective.
We can offer peaceful solutions to the world. It behooves us to discuss building peaceful, tolerant communities at home as well as abroad. What I posted to the group earlier this week was along those
lines.
Let's talk about what we can put together that is logical and peaceful for an 'exit strategy' from war and fear. To re-build worlds that have been destroyed by ignorance and indifference. Spreading messages that we are at Peace is one way. Another way is to offer a plan that even the most skeptic of people can reasonably accept.
The following poem was originally written in 2005 during President Bush Jr.'s second term.. Everyone was in an outrage about our continual occupation in Iraq and Iran and the numerous people dying oversea in a undeclared war that President Obama is finally calling an end to. It is my sincere hope that this plan will actually come to pass. I have since edited it for fluidity and sensibility. I have recited this poem at the Ripton Coffee house in September of 2006 and at the Poetry Slam in Fort Bragg in December of 2012. Soon I will publish it on YouTube.
'It' is on TV. 'It' is in the news and in the dramas. 'It' is in cartoons, radio, and print.
'It' is in schools, neighborhoods, towns, and even in local and federal government.
Humans are entranced by 'It'.
Our lives revolve and are shaped by 'It'.
Many believe they are immune to 'It'.
Some even refuse to see 'It'.
We are playing in 'It',
Living in 'It',
Sleeping in 'It',
and dreaming in 'It'.
We feel we can't get away from 'It'.
Some are even in rapture of 'It'.
What is 'It'?
Religious Exiling, Racial Profiling, Feminine Defiling, Masculine Bullying, Speech Regulating, War Mongering, Fear Driven
Peace Vigil-To be vigilant in spreading the messages of peace, compassion, tolerance, and unity.
Vigilance-being watchful (mindful); maintain attention for an extended period of time; focused.
One way to look at this is that it is our conscious realization of our reality and the understanding that our thoughts make the 'reality' of life what it is. Through people's focus on fear and terror, that is
what has been realized. Perhaps a good way to transform this energy is to spread peace through our thoughts, actions and reactions.
We have seen what others can do, feeding on fear, but that is not necessarily what has to happen. Focusing on peace and rebuilding through peace and compassion takes time and planning, but will be
extremely effective.
We can offer peaceful solutions to the world. It behooves us to discuss building peaceful, tolerant communities at home as well as abroad. What I posted to the group earlier this week was along those
lines.
Let's talk about what we can put together that is logical and peaceful for an 'exit strategy' from war and fear. To re-build worlds that have been destroyed by ignorance and indifference. Spreading messages that we are at Peace is one way. Another way is to offer a plan that even the most skeptic of people can reasonably accept.
The following poem was originally written in 2005 during President Bush Jr.'s second term.. Everyone was in an outrage about our continual occupation in Iraq and Iran and the numerous people dying oversea in a undeclared war that President Obama is finally calling an end to. It is my sincere hope that this plan will actually come to pass. I have since edited it for fluidity and sensibility. I have recited this poem at the Ripton Coffee house in September of 2006 and at the Poetry Slam in Fort Bragg in December of 2012. Soon I will publish it on YouTube.
Speak Out for a Peaceful Resolution
Segregation, Separation, Alienation, Annihilation. Destruction of a Nation.
Differences become estrangement as the norm defiles our mind.'It' is on TV. 'It' is in the news and in the dramas. 'It' is in cartoons, radio, and print.
'It' is in schools, neighborhoods, towns, and even in local and federal government.
Humans are entranced by 'It'.
Our lives revolve and are shaped by 'It'.
Many believe they are immune to 'It'.
Some even refuse to see 'It'.
We are playing in 'It',
Living in 'It',
Sleeping in 'It',
and dreaming in 'It'.
We feel we can't get away from 'It'.
Some are even in rapture of 'It'.
What is 'It'?
Religious Exiling, Racial Profiling, Feminine Defiling, Masculine Bullying, Speech Regulating, War Mongering, Fear Driven
LIFE!
Don't act dumb, sitting there numb. Speak out for a Peaceful Resolution!
The only power 'It' has is what WE give 'It'.
Start questioning 'It'.
Who are WE?
Where did WE come from?
What are WE doing here?
How do WE control 'It'?
How do WE stop 'It'?
Where do WE go from here?
Speak out for a Peaceful Resolution!
Stop feeding into the delusion.
Become a Warrior of Peace and become a part of the Solution.
Dare to dream the beautiful dream.
The dream of Peace, Compassion, Cooperation, Love, and Unity.
You are not the Only One. We are all One.
No Limits.
No Judgments.
No Boundaries.
Friday, January 18, 2013
Cease Fire!
Although I may not post every day at this time, I will do my best to keep on top of it. I do not have wi-fi where I live and have to get it where ever I can. Tonight I am sitting at the local pizza store, hiding in the corner so that no one notices that I haven't bought anything as I write this poem .
I first wrote this poem while at the Evergreen Methodist church I frequent. I am not a strictly religious person, however this church and the pastor who is there are very true and speak from the heart. In one of Pastor Wanda sermons she inspired in me the poem written below. I challenge you all to ask these questions of your self and your fellowships.
I first wrote this poem while at the Evergreen Methodist church I frequent. I am not a strictly religious person, however this church and the pastor who is there are very true and speak from the heart. In one of Pastor Wanda sermons she inspired in me the poem written below. I challenge you all to ask these questions of your self and your fellowships.
Cease Fire!
What would happen if the only people who went to war were 50 years and older? Would you go in the place of a child that was lost if that would bring him back? Would that redeem the guilt you feel for the sacrifice your children have made in the name of your freedom?
Tell me, what would you do to regain the grace of those young selfless children who believed that their service and death was worth the fight, the blood, the anger, the strife, the gore, the hate, and the war. No death is worth less than the next life that came before.
Would you go in the place of your children to steep in the blood shed? What would you do if it would bring your lost loved ones back? Would you sacrifice your left arm, if that would give your grandchild back her father's right leg? Would you donate your kidney if that would enable another to live on while you whither away to nothing?
If all people over the age of 50 who wanted to have the wars continue around the world should serve in them, how long do you think it would take for there to be no more war? What is your life worth compared to that of a child in another country?
What is the reason for war?
We all live on this ONE Planet,
with One Air,
One Ocean, and
We are all children of God,
however
“thy will be done.”
Cease Fire!
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
The Egg
I re-post this with added notes because it got deleted somehow when I was trying a different method of posting.
With all the violence erupting world wide, it is so important for us to remember where we came from.. I pray that we can unite in peace and spread the truth to those who are still lost and disconnected.
Earth College Indigo Action Lyra's Prisms Luv 'n' Sweets
With all the violence erupting world wide, it is so important for us to remember where we came from.. I pray that we can unite in peace and spread the truth to those who are still lost and disconnected.
One Air One Ocean One people One Planet
The Egg
You and I are more alike than you may think. We may have been born into
different circumstances, learned different belief systems, we even inhabit
different bodies with different strengths, but at our core we all need the
same things. We need air to breathe, food to eat, and water to sustain our
bodies. We need love and companionship. We need something to believe in and
strive for. We all need support and a place we feel we belong. And there's
more!
Imagine, if you dare, pure energy, dimensionless and eternal. Now, picture
this energy passing through a fractal prism, dividing into thousands of color
expressions, like rainbows. These colors spread throughout the darkness,
manifesting physical shape and dimension.
Why? To learn who and what it is.
How come? Simply to be energy, not knowing anything else, was not
enough. This energy needed to experience itself and so it divided into a
multitude of different color energy vibrations, which spread throughout the
darkness, creating galaxies and the universe. Question who you are. Conceive
a way to learn who you are. Manifest the reality to achieve who you are.
Most simply put; thought becomes word becomes action.
We are made up of the same material found all over the universe, but many do not
understand the powerful resources of our lineage. Many do not even realize the
importance of each individual and the universe as a whole. It is our mother,
father and questioner. It shows us how to create and destroy, trying to find
the way to individually co-exist. The answers are all around us and in our
minds. Societal conditioning has kept this knowledge from us.
Whether or not you believe in re-incarnation and life before this
planet, in the here and now each of you possesses a unique gift to contribute
to a reality of acceptance and global unity. This is evolution. There are no
boundaries to love and unity and it is about time that we united to heal our
world together.
You and I are more alike than you may think. We may have been born into
different circumstances, learned different belief systems, we even inhabit
different bodies with different strengths, but at our core we all need the
same things. We need air to breathe, food to eat, and water to sustain our
bodies. We need love and companionship. We need something to believe in and
strive for. We all need support and a place we feel we belong. And there's
more!
Imagine, if you dare, pure energy, dimensionless and eternal. Now, picture
this energy passing through a fractal prism, dividing into thousands of color
expressions, like rainbows. These colors spread throughout the darkness,
manifesting physical shape and dimension.
Why? To learn who and what it is.
How come? Simply to be energy, not knowing anything else, was not
enough. This energy needed to experience itself and so it divided into a
multitude of different color energy vibrations, which spread throughout the
darkness, creating galaxies and the universe. Question who you are. Conceive
a way to learn who you are. Manifest the reality to achieve who you are.
Most simply put; thought becomes word becomes action.
We are made up of the same material found all over the universe, but many do not
understand the powerful resources of our lineage. Many do not even realize the
importance of each individual and the universe as a whole. It is our mother,
father and questioner. It shows us how to create and destroy, trying to find
the way to individually co-exist. The answers are all around us and in our
minds. Societal conditioning has kept this knowledge from us.
Whether or not you believe in re-incarnation and life before this
planet, in the here and now each of you possesses a unique gift to contribute
to a reality of acceptance and global unity. This is evolution. There are no
boundaries to love and unity and it is about time that we united to heal our
world together.
This is true human Evolution.
There are no boundaries to Love and Unity and it is about time that we united to heal our world together.
May Peace be with you.
Lyra Star Mist
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