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Steady as a Flame in a Wind Tunnel: Dec. 29, 2016
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This has been a tumultuous, unsettling year, in this country and around the world. Buffeted by so many things beyond our understanding or control, many of us have struggled to regain and maintain balance, a sense of hope, and confidence about how we can make a positive difference in an upside-down world.
On this New Moon before a brand New Year, is your own flame as steady as it can be for whatever comes?
"About the election: Spirit told me 'stay steady as a flame in a wind tunnel,' an image I find that lingers in the mind whenever I am tempted to get caught again in reaction." ~ Gloria Karpinski
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Two Months that Feel like a Long Slog
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Late October, I sent this newsletter, which didn't reach many of you because of a technical glitch: Autumn Gifts: Letting Go, Opening Up ~ October 2016.
Since then:
- On Halloween, I had three finger joint surgeries on my right hand. The healing has not gone as smoothly as I hoped, with two infections, lingering swelling and intense pain. I am right handed, so everything has been difficult. In the last week, I'm finally getting back on track, though still slowly and carefully.
- Our Whale Dog Kida died the day before the election. We knew it was coming, yet her passing was a big one for me. I spent much of the day in tears.
- The election sent shock waves through me and many millions of us, hitting on so many levels that it has required deep work to move beyond anger, grief and denial to something more functional and hopeful. This work takes time and will likely be ongoing. Already, I feel and see renewed commitment to stand for the principles of inclusion, compassion, justice and love. That is heartening.
- We had so many devastating wildfires in western North Carolina that our mountains seemed to be crying out in pain. It was often not safe to be and breathe outside. After the hottest and driest year on record here, the fires were another clear sign that reducing the effects of climate change is more important than ever.
- For over four days, our Little Pearls domain, which we've had for 15 years, went dark. No website, no e-mails and no easy resolution, even now. As soon as we can, we'll be moving to a new, reliable DNS provider.
Even in distress, there is beauty. Sunsets during the fires were spectacular.
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If You Love this Planet, Work for Positive Change and ...
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... please give to non-profits that make a difference in the areas that touch your heart: human needs, animal welfare, the environment, peace, social justice, etc.
If you believe that hearts and minds can be opened and even changed through stories, images, film, music and poetry, please consider donating to Little Pearls. We look for and share rays of light and hope.
If our website goes down again for awhile, here are the direct links to donate:
- Network for Good (this non-profit gives the option to pay a donor fee or not)
- PayPal (takes off a fee for each donation)
- Or send a check to: Little Pearls
PO Box 8641
Asheville, North Carolina 28814
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WATCH. LOVE. GIVE. ~ We need your support!
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After a long hiatus ~ and finally, a new Pearl last Spring ~ we have more Pearls in the works. We need to pay for the remaining footage, plus the cost of editing. Except for technical professionals, this work is completely volunteer-based.
Please:
• WATCH: what we've already created on greatlittlepearls ~ and share
• LOVE: No link here ~ this is an inside job!
• GIVE: We have always pointed to situations that would benefit from our viewers' awareness and support, not to ourselves. At this point in the life of Little Pearls, we do not yet have grant resources or corporate sponsors, so we depend on individual and small business donors. Please help us fund these new Pearls.
For a gift of $100 or more, you can be listed as a Sponsor.
We still have our beautiful DVDs available, too ~ they make great gifts.
We are grateful for all investments of time, money and new ideas. If you or someone you know can volunteer, donate, be a Sponsor, serve on our small board or suggest a connection, please let me know.
 Warmly, with gratitude
Linda McLean
Executive & Creative Director
Little Pearls
LittlePearls.org
828-658-9097
linda@littlepearls.org
GreatLittlePearls on YouTube
(photo by Margret Lollis, Big Butte Mountain 9-3-16)
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