The April meeting of Heartworks of Long Valley is quickly approaching. If you've never been to Heartworks: You've got to stop by and see what it is all about! We're meeting WEDNESDAY, April 27th at 7pm...email me for the location.
We are a group of women who find unique, personal ways to reach out to those around us going through hardship due to death, illness, accident or natural disaster. You know the feeling you get when you read in the paper or hear through a friend about something traumatic? "Gosh, that's awful!", you think. Then, "But what could I do to help?" and finally, "Nothing, without feeling like a stalker!"
Heartworks provides an avenue for those open to giving and receiving to contribute to something bigger. Our efforts are focused and the gift ends up being larger than the sum of all the parts. Most times when we give a gift, someone in Heartworks knows the individual or family and can guide us as to what would be useful. For instance, Heartworks member "Stacy" has a friend who just found out she has cervical cancer. The friend is a mother of two. Stacy advised the group that her friend's greatest love outside of her family is classical music. Heartworks decides that we'll give the friend several CD's of classical music, an angel statue, along with a Pillow Pet for each of the young children. In this example, we may have a sign up sheet for 3 people to get a CD, someone else for the statue and another for the Pillow Pets.
Now when you hear of that traumatic event, Heartworks provides a way for you to become involved, thereby increasing your connection with those around you. Spiritually it is good to move toward those experiencing loss. We are not a religious organization, but we have a sense of connection to a Higher Power as we bring hope to those around us. We aren't striving to remove someone from their situation (find them a job, pay their medical bills, research the best neurosurgeon for their child or locate housing for them.) but we do shine a light during dark times. We are a sign of faith and hope.
In the coming blogs, I'll tell more about opportunities and the ways Heartworks responds. Spread the word...tell everyone about Heartworks. You never know when someone may be open to joining us! Please comment on this post if you would like more info and/or would like to attend a meeting.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Monday, April 4, 2011
Perceptions
April 4, 2011
Ever drive by a house--big, gorgeous, perfectly manicured, dramatically lit, luxury car in the circular driveway-- and think "Man, they have got it ALL together!" I have allowed myself from time to time to assume that all must be well in this family's world. It is so easy, right? They must have this wonderful life filled with vacations, expensive restaurant dinners, parties with "important people", financial freedom, and on and on.
But I have to stop myself and consciously allow reality back into this fantasy. It is, after all, a fantasy that my mind has created to make me feel small, insignificant and not good enough. If your eyes are open to life as it IS and not as you conceive that it is, you will realize that every person who walks this earth has a struggle of some sort.
This levels the playing field. This dramatically changes EVERYTHING! I no longer can hear through a friend of someone who has lost a parent, child or sibling and feel nothing. I can't walk away from someone near me who is helping her child get through treatment for cancer.
The struggles, heartache, indecision, pain, isolation and hurt feelings that come with life events are universal. We all feel them at one time or another. That family in the gorgeous house deals with just as many divorces, illnesses, strained relationships, abusive situations and car accidents as anyone else.
Anyone who says..."No, I've always felt like I belonged, never felt alone or hurt." is lying. (perhaps even to themselves.) Each person, when dealing with events that life gives them, has at one time or another, felt alone, unloved, hurt. Even if you married the first person you ever loved. Even if you are blessed to have both parents alive today. Even if you've been blessed with good health, never been abused, have exceptional children, wear a size 2, got into the best university, or were captain of the cheerleading squad!
Yes, everyone on this earth has felt the way I felt when I walked into Steigel Elementary School in the second grade, knowing no one, feeling like I just wanted to go back to my old town and school or crawl in a hole. You know that twisting feeling in your stomach? You know those racing thoughts--"Where's the nearest exit?" "Why did I wear this dumb outfit?" "Why is my dang hair sticking out on the side?" "Why won't someone other than the teacher talk to me?"
And then it happens...Jen Rosenberry approaches and says "We have the same name." The conversation goes on from there, other kids realize I don't carry a deadly disease and they talk to me too. My day got better. Reality as I knew it changed because someone made a decision to reach out when it was just as easy to walk away. I realize I am significant and good enough. (And maybe my outfit isn't so dumb)
So next time I drive by the mini-mansion that belongs on the cover of House Beautiful magazine, I will bless them as I remember they struggle with the same feelings and life events I am or will or have already dealt with.
Ever drive by a house--big, gorgeous, perfectly manicured, dramatically lit, luxury car in the circular driveway-- and think "Man, they have got it ALL together!" I have allowed myself from time to time to assume that all must be well in this family's world. It is so easy, right? They must have this wonderful life filled with vacations, expensive restaurant dinners, parties with "important people", financial freedom, and on and on.
But I have to stop myself and consciously allow reality back into this fantasy. It is, after all, a fantasy that my mind has created to make me feel small, insignificant and not good enough. If your eyes are open to life as it IS and not as you conceive that it is, you will realize that every person who walks this earth has a struggle of some sort.
This levels the playing field. This dramatically changes EVERYTHING! I no longer can hear through a friend of someone who has lost a parent, child or sibling and feel nothing. I can't walk away from someone near me who is helping her child get through treatment for cancer.
The struggles, heartache, indecision, pain, isolation and hurt feelings that come with life events are universal. We all feel them at one time or another. That family in the gorgeous house deals with just as many divorces, illnesses, strained relationships, abusive situations and car accidents as anyone else.
Anyone who says..."No, I've always felt like I belonged, never felt alone or hurt." is lying. (perhaps even to themselves.) Each person, when dealing with events that life gives them, has at one time or another, felt alone, unloved, hurt. Even if you married the first person you ever loved. Even if you are blessed to have both parents alive today. Even if you've been blessed with good health, never been abused, have exceptional children, wear a size 2, got into the best university, or were captain of the cheerleading squad!
Yes, everyone on this earth has felt the way I felt when I walked into Steigel Elementary School in the second grade, knowing no one, feeling like I just wanted to go back to my old town and school or crawl in a hole. You know that twisting feeling in your stomach? You know those racing thoughts--"Where's the nearest exit?" "Why did I wear this dumb outfit?" "Why is my dang hair sticking out on the side?" "Why won't someone other than the teacher talk to me?"
And then it happens...Jen Rosenberry approaches and says "We have the same name." The conversation goes on from there, other kids realize I don't carry a deadly disease and they talk to me too. My day got better. Reality as I knew it changed because someone made a decision to reach out when it was just as easy to walk away. I realize I am significant and good enough. (And maybe my outfit isn't so dumb)
So next time I drive by the mini-mansion that belongs on the cover of House Beautiful magazine, I will bless them as I remember they struggle with the same feelings and life events I am or will or have already dealt with.
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