…heartbeat
of the positive revolution
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An Act of Gratitude It was November 2001. Influenced by the horrors of September 11, I decided to not wait until January to write my annual New Year’s letter. With Thanksgiving only three weeks away, I thought it would be good to move out of the numbness that set in on 9-11 by entering into the fullness of gratitude. I started each paragraph in my Thanksgiving letter with “I am thankful for…” It was a great exercise in noticing what was working in my life. I ended each copy of the letter with a hand-written personal note. It was simply life-changing. Before writing each of those 130 notes, I took time to think about the person who would receive that letter. I wrote what was in my heart, expressing my deep gratitude for the special way that person touched my life. Tears of appreciation flowed as I moved into an almost overwhelming state of thankfulness. Taking this time, which was substantial, to consider how each person had graced me with their presence resulted in an outpouring of appreciation, forgiveness (sometimes of myself) and bountiful love. I remember writing those love notes everywhere: daily at my desk during the weeks leading up to our Thanksgiving visit with my mom, at the dining room table, on the little tray table on the airplane to Florida, and on my lap in the car when Glenn was driving the hour to mom’s house from the airport. After signing the last letter in the car that day, a feeling of deep satisfaction flowed through me. I said to my darling husband, “I feel complete.” Feeling more peaceful than I had in years, I added, “I could die at any time now, knowing that I’ve said everything I want to say to those I love.” In the spiritual chrysalis that had formed around me during those weeks of gratitude, I had transformed. The numbness lifted and my life was renewed. With Thanksgiving upon us, I am reminded of the gift of time I took in those weeks to be present in Spirit with each person I know and love. I choose to do this again. While the result may not be something tangible like a letter, it will be a deepening of my connection to you, and to all life here on Earth and beyond. As Johannes A. Gaertner, author of Worldly Virtues says so beautifully:
May you experience the fullness of Heaven on Earth this Thanksgiving. With gratitude,
Agreements
in Action
Summer Deaton is the former Director of the Boulder County Sheriff’s restorative justice program. She is president of Teaching Peace, a not for profit organization dedicated to violence prevention and a trained facilitator for the Longmont Community Justice Partnership. summer@teachingpeace.org I was recently introduced to the Revolutionary Agreements. As I examined them I realized how much they support the principles behind restorative practice. One personal experience comes to mind that illustrates several Agreements in action: looking within when I react, listening with my heart, respecting our differences, honoring our choices and seeing the best in myself and others. At age 25 I accepted a position with the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office to design a restorative justice program and train officers, facilitators and staff to implement it. The day I arrived they already had one case ready to go. Yikes! First on the scene of a crime and first on my training schedule, the uniformed officers bore the responsibility of identifying cases appropriate for restorative justice. Their participation was vital; if they were unreceptive I would be out of a job. I was allowed 4 hours per each of 6 shifts for indoctrination. I faced a room of seasoned and highly skeptical officers. My initial reaction was intimidation. How would these officers take to a program that was outside of the box of mainstream law enforcement…introduced by a woman as young as I? Looking within I knew that I had the skills to present this program and would honor the choices of the participants, no matter what. I began with a video of an actual restorative conference. Next I asked them why they chose this profession and listened deeply until all had shared. As each officer expressed himself/herself fully in an atmosphere of trust, the mood shifted. We did some group exercises demonstrating restorative methods and visiting officers from a neighboring community shared their experiences of restorative practice. Soon everyone was participating and asking questions. I was relieved and excited. Although there were differences, we were attentive and respectful of each other. At the end of our session, I can say that most of the officers saw the value of restorative practice as an alternative tool within law enforcement and were willing to learn more. It was an important first step in a program that, over the years, has impacted many in a positive way. I continue to be grateful for the opportunity to be in service to my community by applying the principles of restorative justice and the Revolutionary Agreements. Love Notes
Selected Upcoming Events Through the end of November: IF YOU MISSED Marian’s radio show on October 19, you can still catch it through the end of this month at: www.healthylife.net. Click on “Archives.” Then under “Inspiration and Motivation” click on “Nancy Lee: Lights On.” Look for Marian’s name. Click, sit back and enjoy this 20-minute commercial-free show! December 8: Revolutionary Agreements for Networking Success. If you’re a professional networker marketer, join Marian for an up close and personal teleconference on December 8. She will address how the Revolutionary Agreements have served her in:
Because the teleconference is based on participants’ questions, register early to find out how to submit them in time for consideration. For more information and registration, click here: http://www.networkingtimes.com/catalog/seminar_signup.php?seminar_id=167 Marian wrote 130 notes! How many of us can count 130 people that we truly care about enough to write a personal note of acknowledgement? I got out my pen and paper and started writing. I haven’t hit 130 yet but the number is climbing. I have more friends and family than I originally thought who really matter to me in some special way. I better get a back up pen.
Finding Peace in Gratitude I was feeling down and out of sorts. Not long ago I was doing great; But then the ducks got out of whack, I doubted my worth and self esteem; But then a voice inside me spoke. Stop and see your blessings, In autumn of life you’re rich in gifts I felt myself go very still. I still have parents alive and well My mate still thinks I’m beautiful My gratitude moved on from there In my plight I’d fallen fast Life is change and that’s a fact. Once I choose to know the dark In gratitude and lightness I know I cannot fail.
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