Ellen's book will strengthen and guide you in your role as caregiver to an elder parent or relative, and help you understand your own physical, emotional, mental & spiritual needs.Now available at
Volunteer Work Category
I can’t begin to tell you how happy I was the other day, when searching for definitions of middle age, I discovered that the eminent psychologist Erik Erikson categorizes midlife as ages 40 to 65 (the Oxford English Dictionary does too). I, and many others, persist in saying we are in mid life, even though by many societal definitions we’re not; the media and census definitions being a case in point – (35 to 50 is mid age per the U.S. census folks).
Sheila Rogers, a favourite comentator, implies in a CBC Knowledge Network promo that she and others of our age – (60ish) – are in mid life, as I do. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it and now I have support for this line of thought, even an official Erickson definition I can throw around, should anyone be so bold as to suggest otherwise!
I know we’re not supposed to define ourselves according to others’ opinions – but hey – who isn’t influenced by the constant barrage of youthfulness we see every day in the media and on the street?
Our priorities do change as we get older, some things, and even some relationships, just don’t feel important anymore and simply fall away. I like to think that for most of us, the things we really want to do get done at some point and in some fashion. For me, travel has become very important over the past few years. Somehow the money is found and the physical, pyschic and emotional strength is summoned to do it – as is always the case when my spirit is called. A shining example of this is my eventual arrival in India ”07 after a thirty year desire, then the longer trip there in ’09, long enough to volunteer in Dharamsala North India, a transformative experience.
Keeping our bodies healthy becomes a priority for most of us as we get older; eating well, getting some exercise, processing our thoughts and emotions in various ways, perhaps coffee with a friend, talking with our partner, writing, dancing, painting, endless possibilities for creative growth and joy exist.
Although I’ve been saying for quite a while, I don’t have endless energy, but I do pretty much everything I want to do, I’m only recently making the connection I mentioned above – the idea that when spirit calls I rally and go. Many people I know have endless energy for their business projects – whether they be stunning crafts, as my friend Helene, a retired teacher produces, or business coaching and publishing an on-line magazine called Timefinders, like my friend and coach Jill Crossland. This is what they’re called to do, as I am called to travel and to write especially, and to support and coach women and men who are open to change.
So I urge you, don’t let our society’s emphasis on youth hold you back – just do what moves you – be you, undefined by age.
We do our best at what we feel passionate about. There have been 100′s…no 1000′s of books written on variations of this subject. Most of us know this but many of us aren’t able to follow it, although we’d like to.
It does seem though, that more and more people are looking for meaning in different ways now, digging down deep inside themselves to find and follow their bliss, to coin an old phrase.
How that looks varies as much as the individual personalities of each woman or man. For some women beginning to take 30 minutes a day just for themselves, to do whatever activity they desire, or simply to float in the bath, makes a hugely significant change in their packed days. Some people volunteer weekly in their communities, some travel abroad to work or volunteer for a complete change of pace. Others create and maintain beautiful gardens. The sky’s the limit really.
As many of you know, my passions have taken me to India twice in the past 2-1/2 years. My experiences there stimulated many new projects. We’re still plugging away at the refugee stories I began editing while I was in India. When I work on a story, I see that man or woman standing in front of me, telling me about their life; I still feel so connected with the refugees after meeting so many of them last fall. Our aim is to find each person’s unique voice and to present that to you, the reader, to raise awareness about the Tibetan situation and raise some money for the centre where we worked in North India.
My Fair Trade products have arrived from Rajasthan, all made by women in one of the poorest and most illiterate states in India. We’re in the process of organizing that project. The crafts are beautiful, and so carefully made. Each artisan receives a living wage for her crafts. Some craftswomen live in the city slums, and some in the villages near the city.
My friend has just started a Women’s Welfare Society in Rajasthan. A young feminist, she’s passionate about helping women who did not grow up in a family of privilege as she did. She will be inviting women and men, both local and international, to take memberships in her small society when it’s all organized.
We live in very exciting times. Many of us are connected with people all over the world, either in-person or electronically. Anything is possible now!
Finally, here they are…some of my India pictures! Had a glitch with the sizing of them; too big for this blog program.
This first section of pics are of McLeod Ganj, or Upper Dharamsala, home of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. This is where we spent the first 6 weeks of our 14 week journey & it was the most formative experience. It’s difficult to put into words the specialness of the place, & the effect it had on me, but I am changed from my time there. I was able to relax into the place, felt very at home there. It was a rich experience, being immersed in the energy of the meditating monks (we lived in a monastery guest house right in the middle of a temple complex, nextdoor to the main temple of HH the Dalai Lama). The many Tibetan friends we made, & the experience of getting to know our Tibetan doctor friend & her whole family better made it hard to leave, as you can imagine.
Just had an email from one of our Tibetan friends from the Hope Center where we volunteered. It’s Losar, The Tibetan Budhist New Year and HH the Dalai Lama is giving teachings at his temple. Many people are attending despite the cold weather.
The pictures include one from our deck at Kirti Monastery Guesthouse, the candlelight vigil for 4 teenage nuns shot escaping from Tibet in early November, & pics of friends.
More pictures to come…Delhi, Rajasthan, Mumbai, Goa
When we were at the Norbulingka Institute, we also visited the handicapped children’s craft center, Nyingtoben, located about a five minute walk from Norbulingka. http://www.golden-wheel.net/Nyingtoben.html
Their website is still a work in progress, but you can read about what they offer by clicking on the link. I like their transparency in putting all the operating costs right on the website.
The center houses and teaches up to 50 children, both Tibetan and Indian, who enter the program between the ages of 10 and 18, and stay on as they get older. Most of them seem to be mentally handicapped in some way, and the emphasis is on helping them create and live useful lives, hence the emphasis on crafts.
We met with Mrs. Nawang Lhamo, the founder and director in the old building that houses the offices and the ‘store’ that features the art of the kids. Nawang Lhamo is a lovely, warm woman around 50. You can feel the love and spirit emanating from her. She is also a member of the Tibetan parliament of the government in exile, based near McLeod Ganj.
We purchased an original painting, on canvass, of the Potala Palace, the main home of the Dalai Lama in Lhasa, Tibet. It was done by a young man about 20, who has a dependency disorder, but is of average intelligence according to Nawang.
The painting was by far the most sophisticated and well-done piece, and was priced at Rs 4000, a high price, but well worth it (~$100C). We had less than half that amount of cash with us, but Nawang told us to take the painting with us and give the rest of the money to the manager of Chondor House, who she knew well (owned by the Norbulingka Institute, Chondor House is Richard Gere’s ‘home away from home’ when he visits McLeod Ganj, and is conveniently located a few yards from our Kirti Monastery Guesthouse).
Nawang Lhamo’s trusting nature and her warmth and deep commitment to helping others, even non-Tibetans, touched me deeply (and Don also I believe). When we left she thanked us for our support and put a white silk scarf around each of our necks.
Tibet Situation Worsening
I am reprinting this email, sent out to Canada Tibet Committee members in case you are not aware of the seriously worsening situation in Tibet.
You can read more about Tibet on the Canada Tibet Committee website or become a member.
Hunger Strike, Rally, March, and Vigil
Since 2008 when Chinese Government pressure escalated, life as a Tibetan in Tibet has been unbearable for many. Tragically, since February 2009, 17 Tibetans have self-immolated in protest.
In recent weeks the unbearable conditions in Tibet have worsened. Underground testimonies speak of horrific conditions, and convoys of Chinese military trucks have been witnessed heading into Tibetan regions. Canada Tibet Committee has appealed to Prime Minister Stephen Harper to prioritize “Tibetans Before Trade” on his upcoming trip to China.
The Chinese Government is struggling to hide the current military crackdown from the world by blocking internet traffic and barring foreign media from Tibetan areas – e.g. CNN crew detained, January 31
Nonetheless, Tibetans worldwide have heard the pleas of their brothers and sisters. In response to the appeal from Prime Minister of the Tibetan Government in Exile, Dr. Lobsang Sangay, to carry out a Worldwide Vigil on February 8, 2012, Tibetans of British Columbia and Washington State will gather in Vancouver.
Please join us for all or part of the program, from 11am to 7pm.
If you are not able to attend the event in person, please join us in a day long solidarity fast.
The Event Program – Wed Feb 8
11am: Meet at the Vancouver Art Gallery (Robson St side), 750 Hornby Street, Vancouver. Rally with Tibetans and supporters and begin a day-long hunger strike.
12pm: March along Granville Street to Chinese Consulate at 3380 Granville Street, Vancouver.
1:00pm: Protest, Prayers, and Hunger Strike continue at the Chinese Consulate.
4:30pm: Candle Light Vigil (at the Chinese Consulate)
7pm: Closing Prayer
Copyright 2008 Comité Canada Tibet Committee
300, Léo-Pariseau, Suite 2250,
Montréal, Québec H2X 4B3
514.487.0665 Fax 514.487.7825