Trinkets and Stepping Stones
Michelangelo’s father wasn’t so keen on his career choice. When he was very young, Michelangelo lived with a family of stonecutters while his mother was ill. She died when he was six. At a young age, he told his father that he did not want to become a merchant as was expected. Michelangelo recounted his father’s rage when he heard his son wanted to be an artist: “Artists are laborers, no better than shoemakers!” Anyone who has visited the Seven Wonders of the World, stood within a glorious cathedral, or looked upon a magnificent cityscape might wonder what the world would have done without laborers and the beauty they allowed to flow into form. (And many a woman might take issue with his father’s statement about shoemakers, but I digress.)
Apprenticed at the age of 12 to the artist, Ghirlandaio, in Florence, Michelangelo’s interests in sculpture and painting were supported by his teachers and the artistic focus of the Renaissance. At the age of 16, knowing what he loved most, Michelangelo studied sculpting in the Florence school founded by Lorenzo de’ Medici. When he was only 24 years old, he created the Pietà and astounded the people of Rome with the exquisite, lifelike representation of the human body. Soon after, he created David for the city of Florence, another of his most famous works of art. Working with large blocks of marble, Michelangelo described his artistic creation process as releasing the form that was waiting to be known. His art incorporated the act of revealing the beauty hidden within - that perfection that was lurking deep within the marble.
When Michelangelo was commissioned by Pope Julius II to create statues for the churches he was building, he continued with the work that he loved most. As you might imagine, Michelangelo experienced great disappointment with the Pope’s request that Michelangelo shift his focus to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. “I am a sculpture, not a painter!” After four years and much conflict, Michelangelo finished his magnificent artwork that has gone down in history. Michelangelo felt the human body was the most important subject to be sculpted or painted and spent years studying the body, nature, and science to infuse the special energy, beauty, and sense of life within his statues and paintings.
It was clear within Michelangelo’s life that he had an incredible talent to be cultivated and a burning passion to create art. Imagine what might have occurred if his father’s choice had been forced upon Michelangelo and he had spent his lifetime toiling away as a merchant! In time, perhaps, the wisdom of a child’s innate drive to do what brought him happiness was understood. Take a moment now to imagine the gifts within your own child or children, regardless of their age. “But my child does not demonstrate such an immense talent and burning passion about their life direction!” you might say. Not everyone has the artistic genius, clarity of purpose, and support of wealthy patrons like Michelangelo, but most have an idea about how they like to spend their time. From a young age, observe (or recall) your child’s interests, themes in play, and choice of activities, especially those that are accompanied by enthusiasm, happiness, and competence. Notice as they grow what books, activities, studies, people, and career options pull their interest. There are clues within these interests as they reveal what brings happiness to your child.
In her song “Trinkets,” Bonnie Raitt offers advice to parents as she sings about the things she loved as a child: a record by Louie Armstrong, a picture by “Vinnie” [Van Gogh], and a little weiner dog. There are many “trinkets” along the way to alert parents about what Raitt calls “stepping stones” to their children’s interests and sources of happiness. “Mom and Daddies/Get a good idea what your babies like/to help ‘em be happy. .. Dance little children now/The whole wide world is your neighborhood/Dance little children now/Naked as a jaybird.” Powerful advice if you'd like to see your children grow up free, happy, and fulfilled!
Paying attention to what brings your children joy, satisfaction, and a sense of meaning (even within play for younger children) allows you to empower your children to pursue these interests and grow their skills and experience in these areas. Imagine the gift a parent offers to a child when they encourage attention to these “stepping stones” and empower her to explore areas of interest to reveal the masterpiece within that may unfold through such exploration. With a true understanding of the exquisite nature of the art, there is no universal judge of what makes a masterpiece. Put cultural opinion aside and recall the old adage, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” Imagine living that truism by seeing the absolute magnificence of your child unfolding, knowing that you are seeing a work in progress and not the final product.
Whether your children are young or fully grown, take time to pay attention to what interests them and support their exploration of these paths. Be aware that the adult’s worry about the “right path” for their child is often heavily influenced by the adult’s practical concerns of making a living (influenced by cultural and familial expectations) and the adult’s own life experiences. Supporting your child’s exploration of what interests her is a means to empower her search for what brings happiness and fulfillment in areas of work that match natural, inherent interests. Encouraging your child or young adult to try something new, explore what interests him, and take healthy risks allows him to expand his skill set, bolster his self-concept, and gain confidence in his resiliency. Perhaps your child will fall down, fail, or get stuck in a difficult career path. Hmmmn. Michelangelo wasn’t so happy about painting that ceiling and the whole situation seemed to turn out okay. In fact, a few days before he died at the age of 89, Michelangelo was back to doing what he loved most. He was busy “revealing” the beauty within the six foot sculpture, Rondanini Pietà. Nice trinket.
“Trinkets” appears on the Bonnie Raitt’s Souls Alike CD, ©2005, Capitol Records, Inc.
Discovery in a Bookstore
The beginning of a new year is an interesting time to walk into a bookstore. You are immediately welcomed by an immense display of diet and exercise books. Aside from the overwhelming message that you are basically not good enough, not thin enough, nor fit enough, each book jacket announces that it offers the perfect plan. The combination of the informational overload, assault to your self-view, and realization that you have yet to fulfill that resolution to become healthier leaves you weakly seeking the cafe to regain your composure with a decadent coffee or freshly baked cookie. “Ahhhhh.” You know you are recovering as you plan your strategy to totally avoid the diet book display on your way out of the store.
Now, you can relax as you begin to wander around the store. With a sense of euphoria fed by this quick recovery (and extreme sugar rush), you are better able to tolerate the signs that say, “Start your year right.” Emboldened by your planned exit strategy, you know to avoid any displays that seem overly directive or pull for a response of inadequacy. Now you are free to see what catches your fancy.
“Try something new.” Hmmmn, not a bad idea. You know that allowing yourself to try new things helps get you out of a rut, moves you forward, and basically shakes you out of the doldrums. Neuroscientists have taught you about the benefits of creating new neural pathways and supporting flexibility within your brain functioning. Before you wonder if trying something new requires training for the Boston marathon, eating sushi, or jumping out of an airplane, you remember to peruse the book table for “new” ideas.
Immediately, you are encouraged to see 1000 places and read 1000 books before you die! Breathe deeply and let go of the “before you die” part. Thats right, just breathe. Depending upon your age, that title may be enough to send you to the emergency room. Of course, you might be also turned off if you don’t like to travel, have limited funds, or find reading to be a chore. (The latter possibility does beg the question, “What are you doing in a book store anyway?” Perhaps it is just an excuse to eat one of those large cookies?!) Imagine, though, being exposed to a new story, an opportunity to learn, or the exploration of a new part of the world. Perhaps you might just peruse these books merely to see what inspires movement in a new direction. You never know where you might end up as a result of this small explorative journey.
Moving on leads you to the classics. Perhaps they can wait, however, since they are, well, “classics.” Bypassing Elmo and Dora the Explorer (you wonder if she read that “1000 Places” book), you find yourself once again at a travel table. Too scary, considering your recent explorations.
Breathing deeply, you cautiously venture on to the “Self Improvement” table. Wondering about the appropriateness of books about motorcycle maintenance, monks who sell their ferraris, peaceful warriors, and catching the big fish, you are slightly alarmed when you learn that every Monday matters and an elderly woman in a bathing cap proclaims, “Shut up and live your life!” Moving quickly on, you think it is all over when you learn that there are five secrets you must discover before you die! Up until now, you only thought there was the secret, the secret behind the secret, and the greatest secret of all! (Now you have at least 2008 things on your To Do list if you continue to avoid the diet and exercise book display).
“Ah, yes, here are the books on happiness.” Back on solid ground. Or are you? There is happiness for two, happiness as an inside job, happy for no reason, the how of happy, and what happy people know (which might or might not relate to creating money, making the impossible possible, and the age of miracles!).
With a quick trip to the self-help section, you peruse some books on time management, putting yourself first, and stress relief. Deciding to put this new found wisdom into action, you turn off your cell phone, get another decadent drink and treat, and settle into a big comfy chair with your favorite kind of book - you know the one - and take a deep breath as you release the pressure of living up to everyone else’s well-meaning guidance. After all, it is about trying something new, isn’t it? Happy New You!
Brain Stilling
Take a breath. What are you trying to accomplish today? Take another breath. Just asking the question tends to rev you up somedays, doesn’t it? The revving up comes either from the anxiety of not knowing the answer, the length of the “to-doing” that is intended for the day, or perhaps from being in the midst of a challenging time in your life where getting anything accomplished is the furthest thing from your mind. Perhaps it is time to practice the art of Brain Stilling. This is not “brainstorming.” Nor is it “barnstorming,” which brainstorming often feels like.
No need to take a complicated course on the topic. It is what it is. Stilling the brain to whatever degree is possible in any moment. There are a bunch of benefits to Brain Stilling, so let’s get practical.
When you get revved up, a lot of stress chemicals flood through your body leading to arousal. Your heart beats faster, muscles clench, skin feels hot or sweats, and thoughts race. Before you curse this stress response, reflect for a moment on how useful it was when a predator appeared unexpectedly in your cave and threatened to eat your food and, well, your family. These stress chemicals were the greatest thing since sliced bread …. or perhaps fire, as it were. This glorious response system has just had some difficulty adapting to the 21st century, so it fires up at the threat of a missed deadline, traffic jam, or possible bad grade on a test. Take a breath. Compare those things to a predator attacking your cave while you reach for your little spear. Take a breath and put things in perspective. Traffic jams aren’t so bad. Especially if you have Satellite radio, NPR, or your favorite playlist at hand. Traffic jams are downright cushy compared to that cave when you think about it.
Biologists have estimated that you receive 2 million bits of information through your five sensory channels each second. That is a lot of information! Approximately 134 bits of information is actually processed. All the rest is ignored as it doesn’t match the “programming” of your brain’s search engine. This “Yahoo!” function of your brain is mostly unconscious and controls the search engine “rules” that guide your focus, and thus influence what is in your reality. Given this crash course, you might agree that getting conscious of your unconscious programming - those rules that guide your search engine and allow the 134 bits of information into your awareness - will help you tweak the rules so you process more of what you desire.
The art of Brain Stilling supports you in shifting those stress chemicals to the feel good chemicals that support experiences that are comfortable, peaceful, and enjoyable. It helps you quiet the outer noise so the unconscious “rules” can bubble up to the surface for your review. Once known, you can affirm a replacement belief or find a technique to release core beliefs that no longer serve you. (Heart Assisted Therapy is a great tool for this. Read more at www.kathymilano.com/heart_assisted_therapy.htm). Truth be told, it just feels good to quiet down the multitude of thoughts that crowd minds every second of our days. There are many books and CDs that describe mindfulness techniques. Seek these out if you are interested. For now, here are two simple ways to play with Brain Stilling.
Focus on your Breath
Sit or lie somewhere where you won’t be disturbed. Notice how you breathe. Simply pay attention to how the air comes in and goes out. How does it feel? How fast or slow does it flow through you? Can you change the pace or depth of your breath? Just notice without concern about whether you are doing it right. There is no “right way.” Perhaps you will count your breaths or say “in” and “out” to focus your attention. You may imagine healthy fresh air coming in to revitalize your body as used air is released after it has done it’s work for you. Breathe in an emotion by focusing on the word or calling up the experience of the emotion. Breathe peace, joy, or love. Don’t worry when your mind wanders. It will. It has had a lot of training to wander. Play with this practice - it is not a race nor will you be graded upon your efforts. Enhance this practice by sitting quietly or moving gently through a private space in nature. After you feel able to focus upon your breath, let your eyes wander and take in the details of these natural surroundings. Breathe in life. Still your mind. Enhance your peace.
Take a Virtual Vacation
Close your eyes and breathe. Practice your mind stilling techniques with a focus on the breath. After you get into a calm rhythm, allow your mind to seek out an idea vacation location. Don’t get lost in the choosing. Remember, this is about practicing skills that help you still your mind and alter your physiological response system. You can always do it again later with another location. Start by imagining a place that would be beautiful, peaceful, and rejuvenating. For those active types who can’t sit still, this might include some gentle hiking or canoeing in nature. Return to your focus on the breath whenever your mind wanders away from your focus, then gently return it to your chosen space.
Focus upon this vacation spot as you gently and deeply breathe. Notice the details of the space in whatever manner works for you. Imagine or see it, feel it, describe it, know it, hear it, smell it, or any combination of these sensory techniques. Everyone is different, so just make it okay to do it your way. Your body will respond even if you don’t have an image. Just explore this area in your mind, breathe, and allow your body and face to reflect any pleasant emotions you may be experiencing. People have been known to smile, laugh, yawn, and fall asleep during the playful romp through the imagination. Therefore, it is recommended to avoid these activities while driving, meeting your future in-laws, or attending a critical business meeting. Focusing upon your heart via mental attention or by crossing your palms and laying them on your heartspace (center of your chest) will enhance this experience. The beautiful thing about this playful practice is that your body and mind responds to whatever you are imagining. You get the benefits of relaxing on vacation without every leaving your chair! (If you want more guidance with this technique, check out the Healing Sanctuary meditation on my Already Perfect CD: www.kathymilano.com/meditation_cds.htm.)
When you practice these and other “bodymindfulness” techniques on a regular basis, you get results more efficiently and effectively. These practices will enhance your mental awareness and support health within your body, mind, and emotions. It is simple. Remember to just take a breath. Make love, not war within your physiological response system. Practice Brain Stilling, not Barnstorming. Create more peace in the New Year. It is catching!
Water is Life. Pass it On. 
1.1 billion people on this planet are without access to clean water. 1 in every six people. 1.8 million children die every year from waterborne diseases. 1 every 15 seconds. This isn’t only in third world countries. China’s air and water are becoming increasingly toxic so that 70% of the major rivers no longer support life. Over 300 million Chinese people, 25-30% of the population, do not have access to safe drinking water. It is estimated that 5.3 billion people, two thirds of the world’s population, will suffer from water shortages by 2025.
Knowing that water is necessary for life, what do you do when faced with such devastating information? Perhaps you could go out for a run. That is just what 22 extraordinary athletes did. They ran around the globe: 15,200 miles across 3 continents and 16 countries, 24 hours a day for 95 days to raise awareness about the water crisis facing our planet and our people. These runners, who ranged in age from 23 to 60 and hailed from places like the the Americas, Japan, India, Europe, Kenya, and the Netherlands, walked away from their lives for 100 days to contribute to a solution to this solvable crisis. Each member of this united team ran 10 miles a day and alternated runners at 1500 exchange points around the world. At each exchange, they faced each other in a circle (loop) and stated their message. This included an ancient Iroquois prayer:
“We give thanks to all the Waters of the world for quenching our thirst and providing us with strength. Water is life. We know its power in many forms - waterfalls and rain, mists ands streams, rivers and oceans. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to the spirit of water. Now our minds are one.”
The Blue Planet Run Foundation is the brain child of Jin Zidell who set out to make a difference in the world in memory of his beloved wife, Linda. I learned of this when I found myself standing next to a beautiful coffee table book in Barnes & Noble. I bought two. Each time I review the facts laid out on the pages, view the exquisite photography of our planet, read the essays about the impoverished state of water upon our rich planet, or learn about the courage and commitment of these global messengers, I cry. Makes sense that tears flow when contemplating water, human life, and the “loop of love, care, and responsibility that people share for each other.” As Josh Groban sings, “tears of hope run down my skin.”
Water is a natural resource. The water that we drink is the same water that the first fish swam in and the dinosaurs drank. We are wasting and polluting this finite water supply at an alarming rate and there are 85% more of us now on the planet trying to share this supply. Some of the world’s greatest rivers no longer make it sea. Farmers in the US and villagers in Kenya are digging deeper wells and coming up dry. 70% of the planet is covered in water, hence the name, Blue Planet. With most water being held within the glaciers and ice, there is less than 1% of that water available for human consumption. The natural frozen reservoirs of the glaciers are predicted to melt permanently by 2050 due to global warming. More than 1 billion people depend upon the seasonal runoff from glaciers now. Where are these 1 billion people? They are everywhere across the globe. Gulp. Yes. Across this planet, we are beginning to run out of water.
Did you know that ounce for ounce, bottled water costs more than gas? Or that it takes 5 liters of water to make 1 liter of Fiji bottled water (including power plant and transportation needs). As over 70% of plastic bottles are not recycled, the bottled water usage is creating a new environmental problem with more than 38 billion bottles in US landfills. And the US is 6th behind European countries and Mexico in bottled water consumption. Imagine all those landfills. Check out www.FilterForGood.com to learn about one project aiming to offset this growing crisis.
The average American uses between 100 - 175 gallons of water a day (drinking, cleaning). Factor in the 1300 gallons used by agriculture and industry to feed and clothe every person and this number shoots sky high. In Africa, the average family, not person, uses 5 gallons of water per day. The amount of water to produce our food is astounding: 130 gallons/one pound of wheat, 650 gallons/one pound of rice, 2500 gallons/one pound of coffee, and 2900 gallons/one quarter pound hamburger (meat only).
These facts give new meaning to the words: “We give thanks to all the Waters of the world for quenching our thirst and providing us with strength. Water is life.”
Water is being called the new oil. Conflicts have raged, some with violence and some in the court rooms, over the control of water and global conflicts are expected. This is not only in war ravaged areas, but also in the US. Startling facts emerge with the possibility that southern California, parts of Texas, Atlanta, and southeast Florida may be dry within 20 years if these areas’ growth patterns and water management strategies aren’t significantly altered.
The Blue Planet Run Foundation has developed an online water project funding platform, the Peer Water Exchange (PWX). Breaking tradition with traditional models for dealing with the water crisis, it recognizes that local, community projects with access to one another’s expertise will find practical and sustainable solutions. Through the internet, with lessons learned from social networking communities like Wikipedia and MySpace, partner nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in PWX submit projects for funding and participate in a peer review process that is accessible to anyone surfing the web. This unique and transparent process encourages sharing of innovative ideas, best practices, and practical experience, as well as holding each other accountable for successful implementation of the projects.
If you are interested in solutions at home or around the globe, explore Blue Planet Run and read about the water heroes, innovative projects, how you can engage in outdoor and indoor conservation, desalination and drip irrigation. There are some extraordinary innovations being used across the planet. Learn about fog collectors in Nepal, transporting water across South Africa with rolling water buckets, glacier blankets to slow glacial melting, and PlayPumps. Imagine the laughter of children as they push their “merry go round” and pump water to aboveground storage tanks. Imagine also tap water becoming the “in” brand in New York City. Totally true. The Tap Project asked diners to add $1 to their check in return for a glass of tap water. That $1 provided safe, clean water to 40 children for a day. 40 children. “Buy a round for the house!” The Tap Project (www.tapproject.com) is expanding to restaurants around the country in 2008. Look to participate between March 16th through March 22nd, which is the UN’s official World Water Day.
At the same time I found the Blue Planet Run book, I was participating in preparations for The Grandmother Drum Healing Waters USA Tour. Coincidence? I don’t think so. White Eagle Medicine Woman, shaman and sage from Alaska, has been called to bring the healing sounds of the seven foot Grandmother Drum and the pure Alaskan glacial waters to heal the rivers and waterways of North America. This six month journey to heal the waters is the fifth World Tour with the Grandmother Drum, a symbol of the Universal Heart connecting all races and cultures, and includes two special ceremonies: Delaware Water Gap and Yellowstone, Montana with a gathering of indigenous tribes from around the world. More information is available at www.whirlingrainbowfoundation.org.
The Blue Planet Run Foundation’s final two projects include the 2007 Blue Planet Run and the breathtaking book that documented that journey: “The Blue Planet Run. The Race to provide safe drinking water to the world.” I highly recommend purchasing this book as it brings beauty, inspiration, and hope into your home. At the same time, it provides clean water throughout the world with 100% of it's proceeds. The book and the website, www.blueplanetrun.org, offer education and practical solutions. Turning the last page in the book reveals an extraordinary gift. Extraordinary. You are invited to give the gift of life. Through a donation of $30, perhaps in the name of those you love most, you enable someone in need to receive safe drinking water for life. For Life.
Imagine if your increased awareness and contribution to this solvable water crisis allowed just one child, today or 1000 years from now, to remain healthy through access to clean water. Seems like worthwhile work, doesn’t it? In closing, let me share what was written on the back of the Blue Planet Run vehicles as they trailed the runners and transported hope around the globe:
$30 = Water for life for someone in need
Water is Life. Pass it On.
Join me, will you? Let hope flow.
“With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to the spirit of water. Now our minds are one.”
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