Writing Contest 1st place Winner
We hosted a Writing Contest at sanctuary Bistro in light of all the difficulties that are happening in the world today... it is more important than ever to take care of each other. As a Collective Energy, we can make huge impacts and learn what others things that we could be doing. This is a time for action, sharing, collaborating as we work towards righting the wrongs of the world. We can't fix this on our own.First Place: a $50.00 gift certificateThe Questions for submission were: What non-profits are you supporting and why? What are immediate action items that you think people should begin doing? What are small ways in your daily life that you make a difference? What are some ways that we can make our voice heard? What do you think most are ignorant about and that we need to be more educated on? What do you think are the best websites to learn more about what is going on? Share a small story of hope in humanity.When I left a promising career as an oceanographer to focus on raising my son, I realized I needed to do more than just prepare him to find his way in the world: I needed to be a light he could follow. I needed to do my part in trying to create the kind of world that would sustain and nurture him long after I am gone. Since then, I have immersed myself in over a dozen nonprofits, with missions ranging from ocean conservation to disaster response preparedness.-Jennifer
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Unjustly at the Hands of Humans
by: Heidi Zamzow
When I left a promising career as an oceanographer to focus on raising my son, I realized I needed to do more than just prepare him to find his way in the world: I needed to be a light he could follow. I needed to do my part in trying to create the kind of world that would sustain and nurture him long after I am gone. Since then, I have immersed myself in over a dozen nonprofits, with missions ranging from ocean conservation to disaster response preparedness.
My primary motivation in volunteering for these organizations is to care for the most vulnerable in our society, empowering when possible and protecting when necessary. Of all these causes, that of animal welfare speaks to me most deeply — for who among us is more powerless and more persecuted? When I remember the words attributed to Jesus, “What you do to the least of these, you do to me,” I think of the earth and all her children who suffer unjustly at the hands of humans. Then I find the strength to be a voice for the voiceless.
Finding that voice can be challenging; raising it is always daunting. Through the years I have found that often the best way to make my voice heard is…to listen. When I manage to set my agendas aside, to be fully present and listen without judgment so others feel heard, to express genuine interest in who they are and what they care about, I am more likely to establish a connection of trust that eventually leads to curiosity on the part of those who previously might have been indifferent or hostile to my message.
Studying and spending time with animals has taught me that every created being is unique and sacred, from the great whales to the tiniest insect. Each one of us has a story to tell, whether our lifetime spans seconds or centuries. I believe this is what we as humans least understand. We make so many assumptions about other creatures and often discount their intelligence, capabilities, or simply their worth because they are different from us. If we shift our perspective, if we become truly curious, we might find we have far more in common than we ever dreamed.
Human or non-human, we all need kindness, understanding, and affirmation that our lives matter. It all begins with listening for the stories.
Start listening today. Listen to a stream. To the tree by the stream. To a bird in the tree. To the cat watching the bird in the tree. To a neighbor or someone you’ve never met. To someone from another religion or culture or political party. It is in the story that we will find the relationship, the connection, the compassion and understanding. If we can learn to tell each other’s stories, we might begin to write one together.
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We would love to share your stories.
Answer any or all of the questions to be in our writing series blog.