Dear Women Warriors,
One of the rituals I delight in most is my annual selection of a new calender. As computer oriented as I am, I’m still in love with all things paper.
Over time, my calenders have represented the emerging aspects of self… from Impressionists to National Geographic to Thich Nhat Hanh to Rumi.
This year’s choice represents a shift from art and spirit toward politics and activism. The family wall calender is titled “Barack Obama, Words of Hope and Inspiration,” and includes quotes from leaders over the ages as well as milestones in our the history of our beloved nation.
My personal engagement calender, “The Moment“, is from a group called MAU, Mothers Acting Up. Though it failed to meet much of my practical needs in terms of features, the spirit of it captured my heart. It’s title page reads,
This calender is your personal invitation to include advocacy for the world’s children as an essential component of your mothering roles.
If that didn’t get me, the next page’s manifesto brought it home:
We realize that we live in a world that does not prioritize or protect our children’s wellbeing and that this will not change without each of us finding the courage and commitment to speak out on their behalf. By mobilizing our gigantic political strength, we can ensure the health, education, and safety of every child, not just a priveleged few. Let us:
WHISPER this to each other;
SING it out on the streets;
YELL it from the rooftops;
DECLARE it in our houses of government-
We will protect our children with our personal and political strength, wherever they live on earth!
This is our Moment. This is YOUR Moment.
Each week features a profile of a visionary and includes a corresponding “Take Action” box. This week’s action is to tell three friends about MAU, and to share my vision for the world’s children in honor of International Women’s Day this Sunday. Hence this posting to you!
Having just finished viewing the absolutely fabulous, can’t recommend it highly enough (if everyone hasn’t already seen it)- “SICKO” (about health care issues in the US),
I’d have to say that my vision is that we provide health care and family support for all in this country and that we get our butt in gear in taking care of the world’s children.
Everything I reads says we are capable of this NOW. I’m so encouraged to hear that there is movement taking place in Washington too.
I’m not entirely sure of my role in this vision which is why this calender comes in handy as I seek to define my participation. In honor of International Women’s Day, I celebrate each of you in the process.
How timely that Sunday is the day that we set the clocks forward, bringing more light into each day!!! It’s also my neice Brielle’s 18th (?) birthday and my new neice Susannah’s “due date”. The themes of “coming of age” and “new birth” are welcome ones indeed!
“It is this open and tender heart
that has the capacity to transform the world.“
Lama Chogyam Trungpa
Kelly Salasin 
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