Centering yourself

We have been talking a lot about culture lately, and the important part of it is that culture can take a hold of you and turn your focus onto what it believes should be the focus of your life. This causes us to lose sight of what we believe as individuals is really important in life. Sometimes it takes something big to center us back into the middle of something important. And so with all due relevancy:
Last night my daughter was running to the bathroom when she slipped and fell straight into the corner of a dresser. I knew it was going to be awful - I watched the whole thing from 10 feet away. We rushed her to the ER where they decided that she needed surgery. Her tongue had a huge gash in it and 4, yes four teeth were loose. (I had shoved two of them back in before we left for the ER.) So now I can't sleep I keep thinking about the whole incident and how awful. It keeps replaying in my mind. And yet I am thankful that she is okay and I am lucky to have her. So first the snowblower incident and now this. What else do I need to be centered? (nothing, thanks)

So as you watch the movie, keep in mind the busy-ness of your everyday life and how the important things get drowned out by the little things. I think it happens now especially at our school, but it only gets worse. As you progress, there is more and more to do and more and more to worry about and distract you.

War protest March 19th - Volunteer!

Volunteering to be a part of a peaceful demonstration to voice your feelings can be a powerful experience. Here is an amazing opportunity to be a part of a worldwide day of protest:
There will be hundreds of powerful anti-war actions all over the country on Wednesday, March 19, the 5th Anniversary of the Iraq war. Every day that the war continues $400 million will be spent on unnecessary mass destruction and death - money that is badly needed for schools, healthcare, housing, to create jobs and so much more. The war is a catastrophe that should end immediately, not in 2009, 2013 or 2020. March 19 is an opportunity to continue building resistance to the war criminals in the Bush Administration, the Pentagon and Congress.

On March 19 in Chicago, we will be meeting at Federal Plaza at 6 pm for a spirited mass rally. We will then march through the loop to Washington Square Park. On the march we will be carrying anti-war placards and banners and raising our voices loudly against the war. March 19 will be a day of vibrant mass action in Chicago powered by the independent grassroots anti-war movement and by working people from all communities.

In the next three weeks there is a lot we can do to get as many people as possible out for the March 19 demonstration. Every person reading this e-mail can contribute in a very real way. Volunteer, donate, download or get leaflets and pass them out/drop them off places, forward this e-mail, come to volunteer meetings. Post March 19 on your blog, facebook, myspace and all over the internet. Tell everyone you know that taking to the streets on March 19 will send a direct message to the well paid politicians in Washington DC that the people of this country will not stop organizing opposition to the war until all foreign occupation troops are out of Iraq.

For more info or to get involved call 773-463-0311