This year's theme is "Our Ever-Changing Earth," and NASA is offering a variety of multimedia products and educational activities designed to improve understanding of the natural processes that shape our planet over time."
October 12, 2011
Earth Science Week Oct 9-15, 2011
July 25, 2011
Somalia Famine & the Drought in East Africa
With the situation in the Horn of Africa worsening, everyone able should educate themselves on the crisis and look for ways to help. Even if all you have to offer is prayer, then lift it up. Let us not forget our neighbors and their familes—wherever they live. Here are a few links to get you started.
NEWS: guardian.co.uk pbs reuters
AID: Oxfam tumblr MercyCorps
May God bless and keep you! Grace, Peace and Lovingkindness!
NEWS: guardian.co.uk pbs reuters
AID: Oxfam tumblr MercyCorps
May God bless and keep you! Grace, Peace and Lovingkindness!
May 3, 2011
Summer Work 2: idealist.org
If you have not used this site before, we highly recommend idealist.org (@idealist). They are in the business of connecting people who want to help with organizations and groups who are tying to help. It is free to use once you sign up. Their site provides listings for organizations, people and events, as well as, opportunities for volunteering locally, nationally and internationally. For career advice, they offer a non-profit career center and a graduate school resource center (@gradresources). To compliment these resources they host "Graduate Degree Fairs" in various cities. Last but not least, you can also look into working for Idealist itself.
Idealist's Mission and Vision
Our Vision
We would like to live in a world where:
Our Mission
Idealist connects people, organizations, and resources to help build a world where all people can live free and dignified lives.
Idealist is independent of any government, political ideology, or religious creed. Our work is guided by the common desire of our members and supporters to find practical solutions to social and environmental problems, in a spirit of generosity and mutual respect.
Idealist's Mission and Vision
Our Vision
We would like to live in a world where:
- All people can lead free and dignified lives.
- Every person who wants to help another has the ability to do so.
- No opportunities for action or collaboration are missed or wasted.
Our Mission
Idealist connects people, organizations, and resources to help build a world where all people can live free and dignified lives.
Idealist is independent of any government, political ideology, or religious creed. Our work is guided by the common desire of our members and supporters to find practical solutions to social and environmental problems, in a spirit of generosity and mutual respect.
April 29, 2011
Looking for Summer Work Helping Others?
Working professionally with non-profit and charitable organizations is a rewarding and life-changing endeavor. As the needs around the world grow and organizations rise up to help meet them, the need to hire and train qualified staff increases in tandem. Who knows? You could change your career goals simply by spending a summer as an intern. Here at TAT, we will seek to provide you with the opportunity to find out. Over the next few weeks, we will be posting job opportunities with socially aware/conscious organizations, non-profits, and other charitable entities.
Our first look today is at charity: water. Clean water is a luxury for billions of people in developing nations. These people struggle daily for a bucket of dirty water. This they use to wash, cook and drink. charity: water is committed to bringing clean and safe water to these souls.
charity: water is offering internships in four different areas of their organization.
1. Digital Community Intern: "As the Digital Community Intern, you'll help us manage our ever-expanding community of fundraisers on mycharity: water. You'll also get to research, analyze and help us recognize successful campaign ideas. As a main point of contact for our fundraisers', your suggestions and feedback will be valued and use by our Community Manager and Director of Digital."
Please send a cover letter and resume to merry.mccarron@charitywater.org.
2. Design Intern: As a Design Intern, you'll jump on with our small but fast-moving Creative Team to help us keep our brand bold and consistent. You'll channel all the artistic energy you can muster into brainstorming, designing and assembling print materials. You’ll own a lot of immediate, day-to-day design projects, working right alongside our designers"
Please send a cover letter, resume and link to your gorgeous portfolio to greg.yagoda@charitywater.org.
3. Water Programs Intern: As one of our Water Programs interns, you'll help us manage water projects data, report to donors and publish the GPS and photos of our completed projects online. You'll work closely with our Water Programs team to help us connect our donors to their water projects."
If this describes you, send your resume and cover letter to interns@charitywater.org by Friday, April 15.
4. Communications Intern: As a Communications Intern, you'll help keep our brand bold and consistent through answering all incoming media requests and also pitching our story to interested outlets. You’ll maintain our media reporting process and also have the chance to help us run our fundraising events in New York City."
Please send a cover letter and resume to sarah.cohen@charitywater.org by Monday, May 2.
Our first look today is at charity: water. Clean water is a luxury for billions of people in developing nations. These people struggle daily for a bucket of dirty water. This they use to wash, cook and drink. charity: water is committed to bringing clean and safe water to these souls.
charity: water is offering internships in four different areas of their organization.
1. Digital Community Intern: "As the Digital Community Intern, you'll help us manage our ever-expanding community of fundraisers on mycharity: water. You'll also get to research, analyze and help us recognize successful campaign ideas. As a main point of contact for our fundraisers', your suggestions and feedback will be valued and use by our Community Manager and Director of Digital."
Please send a cover letter and resume to merry.mccarron@charitywater.org.
2. Design Intern: As a Design Intern, you'll jump on with our small but fast-moving Creative Team to help us keep our brand bold and consistent. You'll channel all the artistic energy you can muster into brainstorming, designing and assembling print materials. You’ll own a lot of immediate, day-to-day design projects, working right alongside our designers"
Please send a cover letter, resume and link to your gorgeous portfolio to greg.yagoda@charitywater.org.
3. Water Programs Intern: As one of our Water Programs interns, you'll help us manage water projects data, report to donors and publish the GPS and photos of our completed projects online. You'll work closely with our Water Programs team to help us connect our donors to their water projects."
If this describes you, send your resume and cover letter to interns@charitywater.org by Friday, April 15.
4. Communications Intern: As a Communications Intern, you'll help keep our brand bold and consistent through answering all incoming media requests and also pitching our story to interested outlets. You’ll maintain our media reporting process and also have the chance to help us run our fundraising events in New York City."
Please send a cover letter and resume to sarah.cohen@charitywater.org by Monday, May 2.
March 3, 2011
Un Viaje de Amor (A Journey of Love)
A few days ago, I was discussing with a friend of mine how reluctant we are to let people truly know us. It brought to mind what an old friend once said about me, “he's tough to be friends with.” I am not sure how he meant this, but it has always stayed with me. It sounds an alarm whenever a friendship fades away or I miss an opportunity to know or share with someone. In fact, it has taken many years for his statement to truly penetrate my defenses. What I noticed was not so much my highly selective criteria for possible friendships; but rather, how I had simply become a notorious repeller of people. At first, I just accepted it as “how I am.” This new awareness actually added to my insular way of living. I continued this way until I met someone whose interaction with me changed how I related to others. He was the catalyst I needed to awaken me from my slumber and push me past my own inertia. The consequences of that push were to set me on a journey of spiritual evolution. A pilgrimage in everyday life where I seek balance, peace and love.
Sam never knew the effect he had on me. When I first met him, I thought nothing of it. Over the next few years, I learned he had traveled the world studying and performing music with many great musicians. Now in his late seventies, he had planted roots and was living out his life producing breathtaking performances for his local community. Everyone within a hundred miles knew of him, and he was well-loved. Whenever he was around, he was flocked with admirers and friends. In public, Sam was always a hit. Someone this popular would usually fall to my periphery, as I tend to focus on those less noticed. Sam fell into this category until he showed up at a volunteer meeting I was attending. We both took on a six-month project, which had us working closely together. During this period, surprisingly, Sam and I became friends. We talked endlessly and found we had many interests, experiences and ideas in common. For that period of time, I saw Sam differently. In addition to his other skills and talents, he was deep, compassionate, sensitive and caring. Yet even with my new insight, when the mission was over, I left behind our new friendship. He went back to his busy life, and I went back to mine.
A couple of weeks later, I ran into Sam. We talked briefly of our work and that was that. Then I ran into him again. This time we talked less of our work and more about everyday stuff. Throughout the next several months and into the next year, I bumped into him regularly. During these interludes, he began asking me about healthy eating. He remembered us talking about health and diet while we worked on our mission project. I had mentioned a particular place I liked to visit to shop and eat good organic food. When I mentioned this place again, he asked for directions. From that day on, every time I saw him he asked me about that store. Over and over again, he asked me the same questions. At first I thought he had nothing else to say, so he just talked about the last thing we discussed (either that or he was forgetful or horrible at directions). So each time, I politely told him again where it was and went on my way. This happened week after week to the point of frustration. My responses became increasingly obtuse. “Why does he keep asking me this?” I demanded. “It’s ridiculous!” Then as God and the universe does ever so quietly, a small light penetrated my thick skull leaving with me a doubt. “What if I am the one being ridiculous or obnoxious? What if he is actually reaching out to me, and I am ignoring him?”
Up until then, not meaning to, I had been concerned more about me than I was of him. With the attention turned, I began to evaluate this as a reflection of my life. I realized I have always been more occupied with me than with others. Aside from volunteering, I was guarded and closed off to people. My encounter with Sam lead me to a different place where I discovered three things. First I learned that the key to any kind of openness or intimacy is vulnerability. For me to be open to someone, I have to expose some portion of who I am. Secondly, I began to focus on what Jesus said in John 15.13, "No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends." You can add to this Mark 12.31, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." And thirdly, I realized that sincere love is not possessive—it has no expectations (I Cor. 13.4-5 & Brahmaviharas).
Caring for others is a selfless act. The key to selflessness is to cultivate love. To truly love others is to expect nothing in return. Love is unconditional. In order for this to happen, you must develop patience, acceptance and self-love. As I embarked on my journey, I came across a number of teachers who spoke of love in this manner. And while I cannot disclose in this post all the blessed ways I learned to achieve this type of love; I can, as an abridged reference, offer the verses above as well as the four “immeasurables minds” (Brahmaviharas) of Buddhism. The first immeasurable is lovingkindness, which is gentleness and benevolence toward others. The second one is compassion, which is concern for others and their burdens. The third is sympathetic joy, which is sharing in other’s happiness as well as your own. And the fourth is equanimity, which is finding inner balance through loving, accepting and forgiving yourself. For if you are not at peace with yourself, you cannot be at peace with others.
My next step was to contemplate the affect of others in my life. The most important dynamic to understand here is no one can control you. If I believe in myself and love myself, then what others say or do has no true baring. Only if I let it, does it. Next, I asked myself what is lost by others seeing me for who I am? This is not to say you allow everyone to see everything, but much of who I am is the same as who you are. It varies by degree or content, but we all feel and long for connection. Even Jesus was a little selective with what he shared at his gatherings and what he shared with his disciples. I am not saying you let everybody know everything equally. I just mean, the one thing we fear is rejection. But to be rejected, we have to ask for something. If I love without expectation, then I ask for nothing. Even if you run from me, my love stays. Granted, this does not fully cover mothers, fathers, siblings, children, spouses, or significant others. Those relationships are more complex in nature and fall under the “only share with” category (unless you are becoming a monastic of some kind). What it does cover, however, is how I view everyone else. All things have limits, we are still human, but in general, eighty percent of our lives probably can be shared with almost anyone. The other twenty percent is available to only a few (anything we would not share with anyone is not included here). I have tried to be less of a hermit and more open to what people are saying and feeling around me. Trying, at least, to listen enough and be kind enough to wish them well. It is the very essence of God to be a light and aid to others. If we do nothing more than show them a friendly smile, we have given them lovingkindness for a moment. And in the gloom, even a match light burns away the darkness.
When I began to question Sam's motives, I felt a great betrayal rest on my heart. I had done a reprehensible act by ignoring him. What if he was not just passing the time? What if he was lonely or disconnected and was hoping I would say, "Hey, why don't we go together?" Instead of asking him that, I had actually been blowing him off all this time. From that moment on, I had this sinking, panicky feeling. I told myself, I would ask him to have dinner with me the very next time I saw him. Our next meeting never came. Two weeks latter he died. I was devastated beyond words. As the news of his death became known, I heard stories of his life and learned that during his past few years; all of his acquaintances, accomplishments, and popularity had not given him what he longed for—just plain ol’good friends. Because he had stayed so busy, no one noticed. I noticed too late. I told myself, I would never be late again—not if I could help it.
As the nature of most people is to mistrust, many will not understand your sudden burst of kindness or openness. They may suspect you of trying to deceive them. But for some, and perhaps many, it will make all the difference to them. It will make their lives better. If it is even one person, then is that not enough to try for everyone. Mother Teresa was asked once how she was able to help the severely poor and infirm of Calcutta. She replied that each one of them is “Christ in a distressing disguise.” We have to see ourselves in the other person. Everyone is a part of God. Everyone is a part of everyone else. When we help them, we help ourselves. When we love unconditionally, we find a new way of being. We find a new source of positive energy. We find peace. When we show lovingkindness and love without expectation, we serve others, we serve ourselves; and, most importantly, we serve God.
Sam never knew the effect he had on me. When I first met him, I thought nothing of it. Over the next few years, I learned he had traveled the world studying and performing music with many great musicians. Now in his late seventies, he had planted roots and was living out his life producing breathtaking performances for his local community. Everyone within a hundred miles knew of him, and he was well-loved. Whenever he was around, he was flocked with admirers and friends. In public, Sam was always a hit. Someone this popular would usually fall to my periphery, as I tend to focus on those less noticed. Sam fell into this category until he showed up at a volunteer meeting I was attending. We both took on a six-month project, which had us working closely together. During this period, surprisingly, Sam and I became friends. We talked endlessly and found we had many interests, experiences and ideas in common. For that period of time, I saw Sam differently. In addition to his other skills and talents, he was deep, compassionate, sensitive and caring. Yet even with my new insight, when the mission was over, I left behind our new friendship. He went back to his busy life, and I went back to mine.
A couple of weeks later, I ran into Sam. We talked briefly of our work and that was that. Then I ran into him again. This time we talked less of our work and more about everyday stuff. Throughout the next several months and into the next year, I bumped into him regularly. During these interludes, he began asking me about healthy eating. He remembered us talking about health and diet while we worked on our mission project. I had mentioned a particular place I liked to visit to shop and eat good organic food. When I mentioned this place again, he asked for directions. From that day on, every time I saw him he asked me about that store. Over and over again, he asked me the same questions. At first I thought he had nothing else to say, so he just talked about the last thing we discussed (either that or he was forgetful or horrible at directions). So each time, I politely told him again where it was and went on my way. This happened week after week to the point of frustration. My responses became increasingly obtuse. “Why does he keep asking me this?” I demanded. “It’s ridiculous!” Then as God and the universe does ever so quietly, a small light penetrated my thick skull leaving with me a doubt. “What if I am the one being ridiculous or obnoxious? What if he is actually reaching out to me, and I am ignoring him?”
Up until then, not meaning to, I had been concerned more about me than I was of him. With the attention turned, I began to evaluate this as a reflection of my life. I realized I have always been more occupied with me than with others. Aside from volunteering, I was guarded and closed off to people. My encounter with Sam lead me to a different place where I discovered three things. First I learned that the key to any kind of openness or intimacy is vulnerability. For me to be open to someone, I have to expose some portion of who I am. Secondly, I began to focus on what Jesus said in John 15.13, "No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends." You can add to this Mark 12.31, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." And thirdly, I realized that sincere love is not possessive—it has no expectations (I Cor. 13.4-5 & Brahmaviharas).
Caring for others is a selfless act. The key to selflessness is to cultivate love. To truly love others is to expect nothing in return. Love is unconditional. In order for this to happen, you must develop patience, acceptance and self-love. As I embarked on my journey, I came across a number of teachers who spoke of love in this manner. And while I cannot disclose in this post all the blessed ways I learned to achieve this type of love; I can, as an abridged reference, offer the verses above as well as the four “immeasurables minds” (Brahmaviharas) of Buddhism. The first immeasurable is lovingkindness, which is gentleness and benevolence toward others. The second one is compassion, which is concern for others and their burdens. The third is sympathetic joy, which is sharing in other’s happiness as well as your own. And the fourth is equanimity, which is finding inner balance through loving, accepting and forgiving yourself. For if you are not at peace with yourself, you cannot be at peace with others.
My next step was to contemplate the affect of others in my life. The most important dynamic to understand here is no one can control you. If I believe in myself and love myself, then what others say or do has no true baring. Only if I let it, does it. Next, I asked myself what is lost by others seeing me for who I am? This is not to say you allow everyone to see everything, but much of who I am is the same as who you are. It varies by degree or content, but we all feel and long for connection. Even Jesus was a little selective with what he shared at his gatherings and what he shared with his disciples. I am not saying you let everybody know everything equally. I just mean, the one thing we fear is rejection. But to be rejected, we have to ask for something. If I love without expectation, then I ask for nothing. Even if you run from me, my love stays. Granted, this does not fully cover mothers, fathers, siblings, children, spouses, or significant others. Those relationships are more complex in nature and fall under the “only share with” category (unless you are becoming a monastic of some kind). What it does cover, however, is how I view everyone else. All things have limits, we are still human, but in general, eighty percent of our lives probably can be shared with almost anyone. The other twenty percent is available to only a few (anything we would not share with anyone is not included here). I have tried to be less of a hermit and more open to what people are saying and feeling around me. Trying, at least, to listen enough and be kind enough to wish them well. It is the very essence of God to be a light and aid to others. If we do nothing more than show them a friendly smile, we have given them lovingkindness for a moment. And in the gloom, even a match light burns away the darkness.
When I began to question Sam's motives, I felt a great betrayal rest on my heart. I had done a reprehensible act by ignoring him. What if he was not just passing the time? What if he was lonely or disconnected and was hoping I would say, "Hey, why don't we go together?" Instead of asking him that, I had actually been blowing him off all this time. From that moment on, I had this sinking, panicky feeling. I told myself, I would ask him to have dinner with me the very next time I saw him. Our next meeting never came. Two weeks latter he died. I was devastated beyond words. As the news of his death became known, I heard stories of his life and learned that during his past few years; all of his acquaintances, accomplishments, and popularity had not given him what he longed for—just plain ol’good friends. Because he had stayed so busy, no one noticed. I noticed too late. I told myself, I would never be late again—not if I could help it.
As the nature of most people is to mistrust, many will not understand your sudden burst of kindness or openness. They may suspect you of trying to deceive them. But for some, and perhaps many, it will make all the difference to them. It will make their lives better. If it is even one person, then is that not enough to try for everyone. Mother Teresa was asked once how she was able to help the severely poor and infirm of Calcutta. She replied that each one of them is “Christ in a distressing disguise.” We have to see ourselves in the other person. Everyone is a part of God. Everyone is a part of everyone else. When we help them, we help ourselves. When we love unconditionally, we find a new way of being. We find a new source of positive energy. We find peace. When we show lovingkindness and love without expectation, we serve others, we serve ourselves; and, most importantly, we serve God.
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