Today was a very good day. The AGI board approved a positive budget for next year, and we will be moving ahead with many good plans to achieve our goals to grow the organization. A new web site will be up within a week.
Checks to agencies will be mailed out next week, and in the words of the board chair "it must make you feel very good when you can see the results of your past year's work in this way."
I had never really thought of it in that way, but he is right. I can count in the hundreds of thousands the people who will benefit from the $950,000+ that will be distributed.
Who would have ever thought? At times like these, I tend to look to my spiritual/faith roots and heritage. It is a humbling experience to realize how many people's efforts were involved in raising these funds. see www.alternativegifts.org LM
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Planning a special vacation
Interesting how some people decide about their vacations. Some go to the same (comfortable) spot every year. .they have invested in what is familiar and it becomes a second home-- a getaway. .in the mountains, on sea-shore, a cabin on a lake.
To me, that seems like work, if you must also be responsible for the upkeep and bills etc. . .not my idea of a vacation.
When my children were small, we tried 'camping out' at a small area lake with a tent, and a coleman stove. The lake was crowded with boats, skiers (we didn't) and families letting their toddlers swim in their diapers --before the days of disposables & such things. . In fact, one hot summer, that lake became a health hazard from such habits, and had to be closed to swimming.
One summer we went to a 'resort' where the kids would ride horses, we could swim in a pool, sit by a lake, or just stay in the hotel-like room. that was the first & last real 'vacation' I recall that had a mix of leisure and relaxation and fun. .I didn't have to cook or take down the tent, or pack up the stuff and fishing poles, clean any fish, etc.. .
well. .vacation is not my favorite topic; I grew up in a family where there were no vacations-- except a trip to visit relatives in Colorado--but not the mountains.. .and there was not entertainment for the kids involved.
In recent years, I have taken 'retreats' to a few spiritual retreat centers and enjoyed seeing the scenery and being in a calming place with water; generally I also prefer to vacation when it is cool, not hot.
SOOO, imagine what my family thought when I announced I plan to go to Canada and spend 10 days, with 4 of them sleeping outdoors in a sleeping bag. .and the others in a 'camp'-- learning First Nation culture and seeing museums, glaciers and volcanic beds, and salmon streams, spending one day on a fishing boat in the Bering Sea. Learning what is necessary and intuitive for those who can live next to nature. . no I don't own a fishing pole. .or a canoe. But I did buy a sleeping bag last year-- in preparation for just such an opportunity as this.
I will have to purchase or borrow a few things: a pocket knife, and binoculars. .otherwise, I should have the basics. the rest will be provided.. . and no driving. if cooking is involved, it will be a 'team' effort.. . it will be a true NEW experience. I will know afterward if I ever want to do such a thing again. Maybe I will have satisfied my curiosity-- depending on how many insect bites I get, and how much sleep I don't get.
this may become a new passion. .it will definitely be a get-away. .and a learning experience too.
If you want to join me/this group-- check out www.rediscovery.org and look under the Soaring Spirits Training topic. The cost for 10 days is only 1200 Canadian $, which I'm told will be a real bargain for folks from the US.
Hope to see you in British Columbia-- July 17-27. If you can't make it, I'll have a good crop of new photos when I return. LM
To me, that seems like work, if you must also be responsible for the upkeep and bills etc. . .not my idea of a vacation.
When my children were small, we tried 'camping out' at a small area lake with a tent, and a coleman stove. The lake was crowded with boats, skiers (we didn't) and families letting their toddlers swim in their diapers --before the days of disposables & such things. . In fact, one hot summer, that lake became a health hazard from such habits, and had to be closed to swimming.
One summer we went to a 'resort' where the kids would ride horses, we could swim in a pool, sit by a lake, or just stay in the hotel-like room. that was the first & last real 'vacation' I recall that had a mix of leisure and relaxation and fun. .I didn't have to cook or take down the tent, or pack up the stuff and fishing poles, clean any fish, etc.. .
well. .vacation is not my favorite topic; I grew up in a family where there were no vacations-- except a trip to visit relatives in Colorado--but not the mountains.. .and there was not entertainment for the kids involved.
In recent years, I have taken 'retreats' to a few spiritual retreat centers and enjoyed seeing the scenery and being in a calming place with water; generally I also prefer to vacation when it is cool, not hot.
SOOO, imagine what my family thought when I announced I plan to go to Canada and spend 10 days, with 4 of them sleeping outdoors in a sleeping bag. .and the others in a 'camp'-- learning First Nation culture and seeing museums, glaciers and volcanic beds, and salmon streams, spending one day on a fishing boat in the Bering Sea. Learning what is necessary and intuitive for those who can live next to nature. . no I don't own a fishing pole. .or a canoe. But I did buy a sleeping bag last year-- in preparation for just such an opportunity as this.
I will have to purchase or borrow a few things: a pocket knife, and binoculars. .otherwise, I should have the basics. the rest will be provided.. . and no driving. if cooking is involved, it will be a 'team' effort.. . it will be a true NEW experience. I will know afterward if I ever want to do such a thing again. Maybe I will have satisfied my curiosity-- depending on how many insect bites I get, and how much sleep I don't get.
this may become a new passion. .it will definitely be a get-away. .and a learning experience too.
If you want to join me/this group-- check out www.rediscovery.org and look under the Soaring Spirits Training topic. The cost for 10 days is only 1200 Canadian $, which I'm told will be a real bargain for folks from the US.
Hope to see you in British Columbia-- July 17-27. If you can't make it, I'll have a good crop of new photos when I return. LM
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Bringing on new staff
What a joy it is to have employees that one feels good about! We have weathered the financial storm of this year and made some necessary adjustments. It is also good to come to understand oneself as a 'boss' in an objective way. I think my time of building up my self-esteem with counselor Gina S. was vital to this. I miss her and the good sessions we had together!
LM
LM
a quarterly update?
It was not my intent to lapse so long from these entries. Spring is a busy time at my work, and with Andrea, Chris & Eleanor here in town now, I have been a bit busier, but still have plenty of 'alone' time to be writing. I must admit, though, that I must have lost the motivation. . a frequent problem with some people. Some would have called it 'fits & starts'. .the characteristics also fit that of gifted or bi-polar afflicted, I think. But, maybe I am simply projecting my traits on others I know. sorry. It's just my way of thinking. .from the general and the knowledge of psychology I know--from personal reflection and experience.
In recent months I have met with a number of the contacts that our agency has created over the years, which is a very good thing. Building relationships by getting to know people personally seems more important than ever. I feel certain that there will be positive results from the travel to Maryland and California.
I am again considering the value of investing in property instead of renting. unfortunately, mortgage rates are now climbing up from their historic lows, so I have probably missed the best window of opportunity.
LM
In recent months I have met with a number of the contacts that our agency has created over the years, which is a very good thing. Building relationships by getting to know people personally seems more important than ever. I feel certain that there will be positive results from the travel to Maryland and California.
I am again considering the value of investing in property instead of renting. unfortunately, mortgage rates are now climbing up from their historic lows, so I have probably missed the best window of opportunity.
LM
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