Adopt-A-Native-Elder Program is a fantastic non-profit in Utah. The Program supports the traditional Elders who live in the cultural and spiritual traditions of The Dine' People. Most live in remote portions of the Dine' (Navajo) reservation.

To answer today's question...I would follow more of the traditions of the Native Cultures when it came to gifting our elders. They have a deeper understanding and connection to the health, spirituality, and cultural traditions of the family as a whole. Our elders would be treated with more honor and dignity while holding a stronger voice within the community.

If you see an elder in your community, don't forget to smile, make conversation and say hello. So many feel invisible and the gift of your kindness shows you value their existence. An elder reminded me of this last week and I am putting it to practice. I didn't realize I would be repeating it here.

My friend Andrea recently gave me a killer lunch bag from Lululemon. When she made a purchase, they gave her the merchandise in this 100% polypropylene reusable bag. The bag has the LuLu Manifesto that reads, "Friends are more important than money" "Dance, Sing, Floss, and Travel" and so on. Very cool. I hope more companies begin to offer these reuseable bags to cut down on all the plastic bags given at each purchase.

National Geographics Green Guide reported this month-"In the North Pacific, a floating island of plastic waste the size of Texas has accumulated, doubling in size over the past six years. Some estimates place the load of plastic floating in that area, killing both birds and aquatic life, at 3 million tons."
Yikes!

That I can cook really good meals when I am in love or surrounded by one who loves me. How does this happen? I am not quite sure. But it is amazing what will flow through you when love is in the air and you want to nourish your loved one.

Cultivator of Authentic Integrity

Kerry & Jen Rocky Mountain National Park

- How are we going to change the world?
As an aspect of the collective "we", I am feel drawn to cultivate new patterns of mindful interactions within the community that foster inspiration.

- What's your greatest passion?
My greatest passion is assisting people to self actualize their purpose. I love holding space for folks to share what's in their hearts and reflect back to them their beauty and gifts. It comes easy to me and I love it. 
 

- What do you love most about this community?
I love the diversity of the community members and their individual stories of inspiration and purpose.  The community embodies that type of contagious inspiration that spreads with every new friend you meet. If we can nurture that inspiration to serve, we will change the world.

- What do you love most about working here?
The different versions of humor everyone seems to possess. Some dry, some in your face, some subtle, some unaware of how funny they really are. I love discovering the humor...especially at work.

I was reading the wikiHow this morning on How to Be Romantic and it was soo sweet. The information was enough to keep me captivated so I read on.
wikiHow is a module on my igoogle page that pops up each morning with different How to's...
So I thought to myself, I wonder if they have a How to Channel? How funny would that be? And sure enough @ URL: http://www.wikihow.com/Channel under Philosophy and Religion / Paranormal Beliefs. Haa Haaa. So funny to see channeling source as a PARANORMAL BELIEF. It's great. 
They even have a warning section for those considering channeling. 

[edit] Warnings

• Channeling is highly addictive, with the usual consequences.
• Sensitivity cuts both ways.
• Not sticking to your part of the agreement invariably results in misery.
• Reality test the transmissions. Just like you, the source sometimes gets it wrong, sometimes cheats (i.e. tests you).

Since we have a few channelers in our community, maybe folks would consider updating / editing this How To. After reviewing this How to Channel, what do you think?

 

Bono spoke at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2008 January 23-27  in Davos, Switzerland. My favorite line in his speech was "I am not pissed off at a sense of failure, I am pissed off at a sense of success!" Because it made me think of how many folks try to give you an impression of success to hide their agendas.
He speaks of putting faith in the social movement. After watching Michael Moore's 'SiCKO', it maybe something to seriously consider.   

For more information about the conversations at WEF 2008 check out URL: http://www.weforum.org/en/events/ArchivedEvents/AnnualMeeting2008/index.htm 

Wired Magazine 01.18.08 features these new What's Inside pieces that are soo informative and sometimes pretty funny. It's like learning about about what's inside a product and realizing OMG!!! I use to eat that or take that or drink that....Yikes. Check out their review of the PowerBar Protein Plus.
 

Whey protein isolate
Globular proteins left over from cheese making, minus the fats and sugars. The main protein, beta-lactoglobulin, is an especially good source of amino acids for building other proteins.

Calcium caseinate
Legend had it that casein can worsen autism due to the protein's alleged opiate-like effects on the brain. But a 2006 study showed no significant connection. So don't blame PowerBar for your Asperger's, nerdlinger.

Soy protein isolate
High intake of soy protein has been linked to lower rates of coronary heart disease. But manly men seeking to sculpt their musculature may not like the fact that it's rich in phytoestrogens (girlie hormones). Cooties!

Chocolatey coating
Why the y? Anything sold as "chocolate" can contain only one type of added fat - cocoa butter. PowerBars use fractionated palm kernel oil instead, which is about as healthy as Elmer's Glue-All.

High fructose corn syrup
This ingredient is everywhere, even in so-called health foods. In 2006, Americans consumed 58 pounds of this sweetener per capita, up nearly 50 pounds in 30 years.

Glycerin
The bar's chewy texture is due in part to this sugar alcohol, which moonlights as a food moisturizer.

Maltitol syrup
Another sugar alcohol and probable sweetener, but one that the body absorbs super slowly. Besides gas and bloating, maltitol can produce a laxative effect so powerful that Australia and New Zealand require a warning label on foods that contain it.

Oat fiber
Oat fiber helps lower cholesterol by fermenting into the short-chain fatty acid butyrate, which can limit the release of lipids from the small intestine.

Calcium phosphate
This supposed performance enhancer (which is essentially powdered bone) is also used to polish teeth and build hard-tissue prosthetics.

Copper gluconate
In theory, a copper deficiency can lead to anemia and neurological disorders (though such problems are usually found only in people who have been kept alive via intravenous feeding or in babies fed nothing but cow's milk). So copper gluconate sounds healthy. Too bad a 1985 study showed zero effects from adding it to the diet.

Pantothenic acid (calcium pantothenate)
Better known as vitamin B5, pantothenic acid is necessary for the digestion of sugars, proteins, and fats. Handily, it's found widely in foods - plants, animals, and all PowerBar Protein Pluses.

Vitamin B6
B6 is essential for the synthesis of neurotransmitters like epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin. But don't binge, new moms: Too much can stop lactation.

We should tell Patrick Di Justo to please make this a regular feature in Wired Magazine!!!

I am testing this application to see if it works and to see if folks respond more to a voice blog than the typical ones we use today.