UNCHARTERED WATERS

                              "Wherever you go, go with all your heart"
                                                                            Confucius


Once upon a time I wrote the names of my sponsored children and their Countries alongside their names. On this list are also a list of Countries I would like to visit. Each time I discover another gem, tucked away in this giant of a world, I go through the ritual of updating the list, knowing that one day these journeys will come true.  There are no set dates because I have learned the value of waiting, besides it does not cost anything to have wishes, and each new discovery brings pure joy and anticipation that someday I will set foot on this land.

Those who have followed CHOOSE TO CARE'S blogs know that wishes do come true.  In 2010 I visited Elizabeth and Margret, two of my sponsored children who live in Zambia, Africa.  Now I am planning this ambitious trip to Ecuador, South America where I will meet Elvis, a nineteen year old young man with whom I have shared years of letter writing, since he was at the ripe age of eight.  I have kept each letter and each photo.  I received a letter a few weeks ago, and I will share tidbits. Elvis wrote "I am writing these lines from my beautiful city......(full of pride, I noticed.) And he also said: "I want to continue studying and have a good future. I want to help those who have been very supportive."

Music to my ears, joy to my soul, with that mind set and given the opportunities, I am sure Elvis will will succeed.  This is a tale of transformation, a young man making his way in this harsh world, supported by the Children International Organization that makes it their duty to help children who are in dire need  and would not do well if not for their helping hands.  I have read enough about Ecuador to know that it is a destination where life is not laid out for comfort and amusement for this young man and many others.

I am setting off on an adventure of a lifetime, heading for Guayaquil, that beautiful city as Elvis described it, and on my return you will be the first to read about  how I fared.  My message remains the same as it was for the two girls in Zambia, "study hard, keep your hopes alive, we've got your back"

It was John Dewey who said:     

"To find out what one is fitted to do And to receive an opportunity to do it, is the key to happiness"

 FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS!

                                   

                                       
                                       

STEPPING UP MY GAME PLAN

                               "How wonderful it is that nobody need

                                wait a single moment before starting

                                to improve the world"

                                                          Anne Frank

When 2012 came around I did not list any resolutions. Yet in my mind, the need for doing more to make the world we live in a better place has been gnawing at my soul.  This thought has stayed with me, pops in my head without notice, catches up with me when I leisurely stroll feeling at peace.  And when I have completely attempted to remove it as I like to do with annoying thoughts, it creeps right back and comfortably settles in. No amount of meditation has been able to remove this 'beast'  It has dared me to ignore its presence and it has won.  "Yes I can do more."

It is not that I am not aware of my obligations to my world my excuse is that I am waiting for the right time, a cue to step up my game plan.  This everlasting tugging tells me that there is no escape and the time is now.  So I am going to roll with this divine order that I have been given.  This morning I began to take giant steps on this journey. I am all pumped up with the possibilities that lay ahead. The gnawing buzz has turned into a happy soul and a lighter mind, giving me the strength to make plans to do more.

I truly believe each of us must give to whichever cause is laid upon our heart.  I know what I am good at and I know that I must use what I am good at to help my world, realizing that persistence is the key.  I know about uplifting feelings and I know this generous and trusting heart will set me in the right path.  Talk is cheap you may say but once my mind is set, it is action all the way.  I want to know that I made it better for others and I know the 'Gnawer' will not allow me to lag; he is somewhere keeping an eye on me.  Stay tune for Choose To Care upcoming events.

      

                                  "I am only one, but still I am one.

                                   I cannot do everything but still

                                   I can do something."

                                                      Everett Hale

PEACE AND LOVE!!

Visit:ChooseMYPlate.gov

        www.vitalchoice.weebly.com

         www.eatright.org/kids/

        

SAY YES to Investment In Our Children's Nutritional Health

Nutrition and Health messages are not only for the grown ups. As we continue to battle the alarming growth of obesity , we must be committed to address the obesity epidemic in children and adolescents.  It is important for me to be part of this change we are seeking and make every effort to do my part to explore effective and doable strategies.

Through MyPlate, the easily recognizable USDA Icon, messages are communicated to the public to help apply the behaviors.  For example: MAKE HALF YOUR PLATE FRUITS AND VEGETABLES; this is a start to get the public adding fruits and vegetables to their diet even when on a budget. This is the beginning of many buzz activities that are planned to get the attention of the public.  Similarly at "KIDS EAT RIGHT" there is a plethora of useful information and ways to get kids started on a healthy track, eating better and participating in physical activities.

CHECK OUT "Kids Eat Right" www.eatright.org/kids/ and see what resources you can use to join in this all important campaign.

CHOOSE TO CARE - Donations & Disbursements - Fiscal Year Ending 11/30/12

To: Valuable Donors/Thanks for your support.

REVENUES
Fund Raising (Book of Quotations)                                                $1532.00
Donation                                                                                       2416.00
Fund Balances(year end 2010)                                                         1519.00
                                                                                          _________________$5,467.00

EXPENDITURES
Shoes purchased for Children issued through seven (7) organizations
working with youth:                                                                                            $4,240.00


Fund Balance(year end 2011)                                                                               $1,227.00




www.choosetocaresite.org

GETTING CENTERED - MY GRATITUDE MOMENT

  "If you cry because the sun has left your life,
   your tears will prevent you from seeing the stars"
                                                     Tagore

Anyone who knows me well knows that I love riding the subway. It is a theater unto itself, there is drama, musical and everything in between, played out in front of your eyes. The antics of the characters can amuse or disgust you and many riders just mind their own business, reading, dozing, knitting or listening to their I-Pods, never looking in the way of the actors, avoiding the stage altogether.  As much as I enjoy the show, the ride also serves as my time out, giving me a chance to reason with myself, write my stories and catch-up on projects approaching deadlines.  Usually, regardless of the turmoil around me, I have the energy to be productive on these rides.  But something is different this time, for two days I have tried to put this end of year blog together but did not get far;every creation was full of negative thoughts.  I felt burdened and weighed down.  I definitely did not want to go down that path, I went on to other things.

I strive for balance, so a ticket to Alvin Ailey's American Dance Theater was a welcoming distraction, a mood changer.  As I watched the REVELATIONS Dance numbers which I had seen many times, I could hardly contain myself, moving in my seat, raising up from my seat, feeling the spirit of the song, "ROCKA MY SOUL IN THE BOSOM OF ABRAHAM" That's when it occurred to me that I was experiencing the joy of living.  This was the pause I needed to pull me out of the dry spell.  This wonderful exhilarating moment made the adversity I felt easier to bear.  It reminded me that my blessings exceed my burdens.  My thoughts led to GRATITUDE and on my ride home on the subway, I began to scribble on scraps of paper what this script would be.  I became a writer, director, choreographer and producer of this show, meaning this was in my court.  So this is a sampling of the things I am thankful for.

• I am thankful for my parents that guided my upbringing that has led me by their example to go out into the world to be an agent of positive change, ready to make a difference locally, nationally and beyond.
• I am thankful for a partner who understands why I am drawn to help the human community of the world.  From the African Masai Tribe we learn "Sticks alone can be broken by a child, but sticks in a bundle are unbreakable."  The fears and sorrows that we bear can become so heavy that they can break us if we bear them alone but when we stick together we are unbreakable and we can overcome any adversity.
• I am thankful for my children who after all did listen to the guidance they were given and doing their part to sustain this wonderful and amazing world that we live in.
• I am thankful for my family, although scattered around the globe, know that you are frequently thought about and loved.
• I am thankful for my roommate, in our undergraduate journey we lived harmoniously in a dormitory in small quarters and the respect for each other was awesome.  Even today your friendship remains a lot to me.
• I am thankful for my sponsored children who live in six different Countries, two of whom I have met.  I have great hope for each and everyone.
• I am thankful for my body, my temple, this vessel that I am mindful of that I continue to nourish in various ways;that has carried me all these years, that still function at a high capacity, enabling me to make every effort to care for the people of the world and their well-being.
• In case you think you are left off the sampling, this is for you:  I am thankful for the vast web of support and love that you have shown. Thanks for catching me when I am about to fall.

May you also find a feeling of renewal and have your spirit raised to roll with life's zinger.

          "Each moment is a treasure, enjoy it!
            We are travelers on life's highway
            Enjoy the trip. Each lovely twist and byway,
            Each bump and dip. Voila, that's life, enjoy it!"
                                       Maurice Chevalier

Peace and Love for 2012  and Beyond.

THE GATHERING

I have been doing "shoe drops" as I call it but decided to add a touch, an event if you please.  For MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY,10/22/11, I wanted the youth at this gathering to know that any small task can lift the spirit and make a difference in someone's life.  So I started out by acknowledging the day and it's importance and invited the children to begin to make a difference.  Some stepped up to the podium to talk about the things they are now doing and others talked about what they will do.

We did not stop there, added was the message of healthy living.  So we all began to move and sway to a meaningful song that my kind colleague prepared for me; getting our limbs awaken and sealing that exercise is good for us all and fun stuff like dancing counts as exercise.

A few had heard about MyPlate, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) icon, that reminds us how to eat well and keep our bodies nourished.  Then it was movie time, "Supersize Me" was the name of the film of choice which showed the ill-effects of eating out at McDonald's or any fast food joint too often.  One of the young men had seen the film in school and stepped up to give tidbits of what this film was about.

 We welcomed tips from a Podiatrist from a neighboring hospital who talked about our feet which we ignore until they begin to hurt, wearing the right shoes that fit is important, avoiding the nail salon and if we do go, excellent sanitary condition is a must she stated.  Shoe time and each kid received a brand new pair of shoes with the MESSAGE CARD that says "STAY IN SCHOOL"  We ended the day with a delicious lunch prepared by some giving women of the church community.

Thanks to my colleagues who have helped me to make this day happen  The wall you decorated with paper shoes of all sizes and styles, looked like the real things and received a lot of admiration from the wide- eyed audience, kids and adults alike, peppered with "did you make these?"  My friend, thanks for helping me to shop for these shoes and to tote them to their destination.  My gratitude to the anonymous donor who sent me a donation with an apology that he is retired and wished he could do more.  "Sir, every little bit counts and thanks for the blessings you sent our way."  To the parents of the children, the coordinator of the youth program, the women of the church, your support is greatly appreciated.  I came away with a feeling of renewal, with my spirits raised and my faith in people heightened.  CHOOSE TO CARE is a small program trying to make an impact and  ready  to take on it's next mission.

Keep Adapting!

AND THEY ALL HAVE SHOES

"When are you coming?"  The voice on the other end sounded doubtful.  We had been playing 'phone tag for a while, different circumstances had stalled our plan to buy and drop off shoes for children and young adults residing in a homeless shelter in Brooklyn.  We had finally carved out a day and time that was convenient for all of us and we shopped with the help of the store clerk until we had picked out 55 pairs of shoes in different styles, ready to be fitted on the feet of those deserving boys and girls in waiting.

Our hands are tired, walking from the store to the subway.  It was not a long distance but we were laden down with a number of heavy bags filled with shoes.  We boarded the M train for the ride to Brooklyn, luckily the train was practically empty.  There was enough room to lay our bags down and we tied them securely to prevent losing any of our 'treasures.'

Seated and spread out, having a better grip on our goods, we began to concentrate on where we were heading.  When we finally reached our stop, we hopped off the subway, bags in tow, not knowing whether to turn left or right.  We finally reached our destination, happy to give our hands a rest and declared"we are here."

The Director and her assistant to whom care of these children is entrusted, greeted us filled with gratitude for this small deed made possible by CHOOSE TO CARE AND FRIENDS.  That old familiar saying "where there is a will there is a way," came to mind as I mentally prepared for the next shoe drop.

In each pair of shoes we had slipped two messages, one encouraged staying in school because we believe that education opens up great possibilities and the other is to  eat foods that keep them well because it is so important to   make healthier food choices even from a young age.  We do not know how many will heed us but we will keep trying and never lose hope.

Yours in Health and fitness!