The Earth Savers Blog

On The Path to Financial Recovery

When I think about how much money I owe people from my business blowout I honestly want to vomit.

I know that Suzie Ormon would disagree, but being "related" to my financial situation is a little more than I can honestly bear.  The ballpark figure is "good enough" for me.

I've given all the horrifying details to my accountant who has been counseled not to rub my face in the mess or he is FIRED.

Now it's time to get to work, and I have a feeling I won't be whistling as I do so anytime soon.

I once went to see a psychic who told me that I would have great financial success one day, and she has been summarily dismissed.

I'm taking inventory, reinventing myself... manifesting abundance.

Misery loves company so...you know where to find me.

Green Pals for Kids

Earth Day is upon us and as we contemplate how what we can individually and collectively do to make the world a greener place, a natural suggestion is to think about these things more often than once per year. 

The other part of the equation is simple education. What is the difference between someone that recycles and one that doesn't, or someone that minimizes their carbon footprint and the person that doesn't? For the most part, it is simply being taught about the importance of these things.

Yesterday the New York Times published an article about the importance of not only teaching children to care for the earth, but of children's role in teaching their parents.

Global Green Pals are not just dolls or ways to teach children about recycling, clean air & water, etc., rather they embody the idea that children can be powerful influences for change. Whether it is the four teenagers referred to in the NY Times, that have become leaders in the environmental movement, or 7 year-old Charlie Simpson who raised $240,000 for Haiti, children are capable of so much more than we think because, in the words of 12 year-old prolific writer Adora Svitak,"They don't think about limitations, just good ideas."

I hope Global Green Pals will inspire children across the country to think in terms of positive solutions, and even small things that they can do to make a difference to their world. You can read more about the different "Pals" and hear what they have to say on the Global Green Pals blog.

(This article Inspired by Robert Wilson)

Metamorphos

Could we imagine the possibility

of our own stark beauty
as we crawled inside
to safety
spinning the gossamer silk around our better selves?

inside that fierce embrace of awful darkness
our ugly parts cast shadows on indifferent walls

while the tiniest ray of light flickers and dances
in deeper places
compressed
like
diamonds
discovery, illusive in this desperate mine shaft

Having ingested the bitter taste of our defeat
once, twice
many times
we pause exhausted until the empty becomes the
overflowing of
surrender.
and acceptance
until

horned, thorned and naked
we face the mirror of
our greater image
even though
the new wings
of our purpose unfold hesitantly
with the shiny vernix of the newly born

but helpless to deny the faintest
whisper on more compassionate and gentle wind
calling us to begin again...
we take flight.

MGR 2009

CHOICE?

Sometimes inspiration visits you when you least expect it.

These past eighteen months had represented one of the biggest breakdowns of my life.
I’d mastered the art of burrowing deep in my blankets; head strategically shoved under pillows. I felt alone, and sad, and deeply humbled. 

My entrepreneurial failure was compounded my separation from my husband.
The house of cards had collapsed into a flat hot mess.

On top of the riot of uncomfortable emotions: grief, fear, shame and panic; the phone calls of creditors, vendors, investors, family and friends was simply overwhelming.
I researched an identity change diligently.  I was an epic failure.

Somehow it did not matter that the economy was in the same state, and that every entrepreneur i had ever spoken to had cataloged a series of failures before finally succeeding in the business world.  Surely their failures were not as GRAND... (do i always have to be the best?)

Feeling sorry for myself had become my Magnum Opus, and I can still feel a sense of entitlement to “go there” if the wind should blow, after all don't my friends, family, and business associates have every right to be disappointed by me? I have to allow them this freedom and offer them my agreement. I suck.

A couple of nights ago I listened to a man speak about his own failings, and the torrent of emotions and inconceivable repercussions of having built an empire that made what i had accomplished pale in comparison, only to see it crumble cruelly based on circumstances beyond his control. Hell, even if they had been under his leadership does this mean he should not lead again? try again?  take a chance, invite others to invest in him again both emotionally and financially?  Shouldn’t that in fact make him an even MORE likely candidate for success? Hmmm.

At the end of the day these retched moments in life are teaching moments are they not?

They are the gift. They are what enable us to gain perspective on where we erred so that we might establish a better system or framework the NEXT time.  Oh, how many of us have decided that we are unworthy of a next time? Whether in relationships, or in business.  How many of us have “shut it down” and thrown up the CLOSED sign in the window?  Nice house...but nobody’s home.  We become disconnected from our selves and our lives and the people around us for fear of failing AGAIN, and yet...when that man shared his own story and i could feel the embers of possibility glow inside what i had condemned as a hopeless heart I wanted to dance and sing and wrap my arms around him in gratitude.

I chose in that moment to allow myself to be inspired again.... and
is it really
THAT simple?

Choice.... and then there was light.

Choice:

n.

    1.    The act of choosing; selection.
    2.    The power, right, or liberty to choose; option.
    3.    One that is chosen.
    4.    A number or variety from which to choose: a wide choice of styles and colors.
    5.    The best or most preferable part.
    6.    Care in choosing.
    7.    An alternative.

I felt a glimmer of hope and a whole lot of inspiration last night on a phone call with Dan Cashdan who has created the Climate Community http://www.theclimatecommunity.com/ a place where young people can congregate, share ideas, and inspire others. Dan is celebrating and aknowledging these young hero's for their accomplishments and ideas- check it out!