There are moments in your life when you become lost for words. As a writer, this is a rare occasion for me. Today marked one of those New York Minutes where words cannot properly express my personal gratitude for what has come to light.
After taking a moment to look at my analytics, I noticed something quite spectacular; the listing of countries that had viewed my blog today. The list and colors were so long and diversified. I quickly put my counting skills to work (Thank you Ms. Hasse, my 3rd grade teacher for providing some of my speed counting skills). After a quick count and then recount I came to the realization that my blog had been viewed in 79 countries today.
I was taken back
In awe
Overwhelmed
Aghast
Amazed
Ok, maybe I am laying it a little thick with the descriptor terms, but it goes without saying that I was and continue to be grateful seeing this. To know that my words, thoughts and emotions have broken the barriers of race, religion, politics and culture so that the universal messages can be heard.
I love sharing my poetry, personal anecdotes, lessons on life, keys to personal happiness, career tactics and pursuit of peace, unity and love. Yet knowing this message is heard and resonating throughout the globe leaves a personal warm spot in my heart.
Often in life we develop a passion for something. Something that becomes our addictive vice. This can be a sport, hobby, a desire or a mission. To put your blood, sweat and tears into each and aspect of this is its own reward, but to know that silent recognition is being sung is priceless.
Without each and every single reader that reads and aborbs these words, this blog would have no success at all. Not only is it successful, but it is continuing to grow.
This message is a thank you. I mean a giant thank you to each person who either has read this for the first time or follows each blog.
The knowledge of the world wide visibility of this blog is a true testimony to the power of the written word.
In a society of instant information and gratification where visual stimulus in pictures, video and music are the mode of accepted transferance of information, it is a blessing knowing the written word still has a home.
What makes this even more special is that I don’t have to hold back. Some of you have been with me through some very difficult crossroads in my life and some amazing periods of celebration. Thank you for allowing me to share those moments and I look forward to many more.
“Whatever they grow up to be, they are still our children, and the one most important of all the things we can give to them is unconditional love. Not a love that depends on anything at all except that they are our children.” – Rosaleen Dickson
“Other things may change us, but we start and end with family” – Anthony Brandt
“If you look deeply into the palm of your hand, you will see your parents and all generations of your ancestors. All of them are alive in this moment. Each is present in your body. You are the continuation of each of these people.” – Thich Nhat Hanh
“A happy family is but an earlier heaven.” – George Bernard Shaw
“In every conceivable manner, the family is link to our past, bridge to our future.” – Alex Haley
“You don’t really understand human nature unless you know why a child on a merry-go-round will wave at his parents every time around – and why his parents will always wave back.” – William D. Tammeus
“Parents can only give good advice or put them on the right paths, but the final forming of a person’s character lies in their own hands.” – Anne Frank
“Family is the most important thing in the world.” – Princess Diana
“The strength of a family, like the strength of an army, is in its loyalty to each other.” – Mario Puzo
“In truth a family is what you make it. It is made strong, not by number of heads counted at the dinner table, but by the rituals you help family members create, by the memories you share, by the commitment of time, caring, and love you show to one another, and by the hopes for the future you have as individuals and as a unit.” – Marge Kennedy
“Cherish your human connections – your relationships with friends and family.” – Barbara Bush
“Family is not an important thing, it’s everything.” – Michael J. Fox
There have been changes in the economy and a shift in suburbization that have caused many inner city areas to become downtrodden. Some of the residential areas have given rise to a growing number of poor single parent families that are living amidst high rates of violence, and drugs. The opportunities for resources in these neighborhoods are limited, but many neighborhood residents are coming together to form coalitions to better their neighborhoods and their lives. Many neighborhood groups are forming community gardens in vacant lots, or even on rooftops. These community gardens are a great way to get both children and adults involved in beautifying the neighborhood community while working with nature.
There is a book called Takiya and Thunderheart’s Life Garden that is about children who revive a neighborhood vacant lot into a flourishing vegetable garden. This book communicates to children what community gardening is all about and can be ordered through Spice of Life Educational Publishing. If you would like to visit a community garden to see what one is all about, try the Clinton Community Garden which is located in New York City. Information on community gardens in Vancouver and Montreal are also available. In Philadelphia , urban agriculture is widespread. To find out information about international urban agriculture, the City Farmer Homepage has a lot of information on this and other neat topics related to urban greening. The Seeds of Hope…Harvest of Pride site has good basic information and a number of links that can help people get started in community gardening.
The American Community Garden Association is a national organization that oversees many of the community gardens in the nation. They have tips on starting and maintaining community gardens. Kansas State University and the American Community Garden Association completed a nationwide study of community gardeners and the benefits they perceive. They also have provided this list of tips for working with kids in the garden.
Some Basic Tips for Gardeners Working with Kids
A picture is worth a thousand words. Never tell kids something you could show them.
Young kids have a very short attention span. Make sure that you have lots of options available so they can get started immediately and stay busy. Digging holes is one thing that seems to hold endless fascination.
Instant gratification helps a lot. Plant radishes even if you don’t like them-they come up in three or four days.
Growing their own will generally get kids to try eating things they otherwise wouldn’t walk into the same room with.
GETTING DIRTY IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF GROWING UP.
Your role should be as facilitator, rather than as a leader who imposes direction. Be a good model.
When giving out supplies to several kids, try to keep seeds, tools, etc. as similar as possible to avoid the inevitable squabbles.
After an activity, do something to reinforce what everyone has learned. Talk about what went on, who did what, who saw what. If you can, have them write things down or draw pictures. If they’re too young, take dictation.
Many kids who won’t talk in a large group will often speak easily in a small group.
When working with older kids (past about 13), one-to-one works better than groups, since gardening (and anything else that could get you dirty) is a remarkably un-cool and disgusting way to spend time. Try to add responsibility and ownership to projects. (“Quincy is in charge of the wheelbarrow today.”) Try pairing up older kids with younger ones. Rest assured that if you give them a healthy respect for gardens and green things when they are young, it will all come back to them once the acne goes away.
Children are very sensitive to lead poisoning and should take these precautions when working in the garden.
Writer / Blogger / Social Media and Talent Acquisition Consultant / Life Geek / Photographer
Human Resources, Talent Acquisition, Global Social Media and Marketing Solutions including: organizational development, team building, change management, compensation structural development and implementation, social media and talent community development, growth and advancement, training, rewards and recognition, recruitment, attrition control, affirmative action administration, labor relations and M&A.
Trainer
So You Think You Can Interview - ProNet August, 2010 Personal Branding and Social Media Resources - ProNet June, 2010 Personal Branding and Social Media Resources - Lee Hecht Harrison July, 2010 Personal Branding and Social Media Tooling - Lenova Women in Leadership September, 2010 Your Life Bag - ProNet October, 2010, The Effects of Social Media in the Workplace - Carolinas Payroll Conference November 2012
Published Author
Sonni's Abyss (June 2008)
A Beautiful World (February 2011)
This Time Around (Scheduled for February 2013 Publication)
