New this Issue:

Welcome everyone to the first issue of our ninth year serving and supporting our community. With this issue we would like to share our new mailing address, P. O. Box 122, East Hampton, CT 06424.

We have finally settled into our new home and are excited to share the journal with new friends at all the events that we have had the opportunity to attend and will be coming in the future.

These past few weeks have been busy. We had been blessed in being asked to participate in a fund-raiser for Haiti. What made this one different? The Senior's of E. O. Smith High School in Storrs, CT did.

The Senior class decided they needed to make a difference. There was no mandatory class project, there was just a desire to be of service, to help, support and give of their time and there was a lot of time given for this project called "Ending Apathy."

There were organizations present, one of them being, the non-profit Roots of Development (www.rootsofdevelopment.org) who's co-founder Chad Bissonnette first traveled to Haiti in 2005 shortly after school, to experience a new culture, new people and learn more about the community's challenges. Since then he has lived and worked with the people of Haiti to bring clean water and housing to Gran Sous.

There were a number of speakers during the daylong event. I was humbled and privileged to hear two of the evening speakers, one gentleman who survived multiple concentration camps and at the age of 85 years old is still speaking publicly about his experiences and how one can live through and beyond the worst of situations. Then came the last to speak. A younger man who shared his experiences of being raised in Africa as a child solider, which taught him to fight to the death or be killed. As he shared some details of his life's struggle to free himself of what was the only thing that he knew, it was apparent that he is still unsettled by the memories.

These two men have lived though what might be considered some of our worst nightmares. They found the courage to free themselves from situations beyond their control; living on working through the wounds, their trauma, and the feelings to genuinely live from their hearts, reminding others that it is not impossible to create another world, another reality. They are "paying forward" the grace received from the many "turn of events" that brought them safely into the United States and a new life, but not one without speed bumps.

The energy of the students was immeasurable, so was their gratitude. We were fortunate to play our crystal bowls and gongs in sessions during the day for them, as well as the community. It was something they truly enjoyed and I don't ever remember being thanked so much. We were very excited to help them raise approximately $10,000 in their effort to support Haiti.

The state of Maine is also helping that cause in a very unique way. On page 34 you'll find information on the creation of the website for Maine Friends of Haiti, www.mainefriendsofhaiti.org. Whose purpose is to share and participate in a statewide effort raising the awareness of the need for support of the people in Haiti. It lists events throughout the state and is calling for participation from each of the 487 cities and towns. These efforts are totally volunteer and completely non-profit.

Take the time this summer, with the warm nurturing weather that is beaconing us out of our homes and back in touch with our community to attend, create, sponsor or donate time to an effort that helps others. Whether it be Haiti or something closer to home, or closer to your heart!

I can't thank the Class of 2010 at E. O. Smith High School, the middle school volunteers and the guidance from the adult participants enough for their spirit, their generosity and their willingness to be of service. These are the children who will change our world and there are many more of them in Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and around the world helping to bring hope to a world that is taking the risk as our cover represents to leave our state of "bud-dom" and blossom because the pain of staying closed in our little bud is more painful than opening to become the beautiful blossom that we truly know ourselves to be.

It is the season once again for the great trips and workshops that will bring everyone to a new awareness of self in the outdoors with our ever loving guide Mother Nature. If you can, take advantage of the offerings this summer and enjoy the re-creation that summer has to offer.

We would also like to wish Norm Hirst and Asrianna's Dad a speedy recuperation. Karen and Annie, will also be back next issue with Eating the Angel Way.

We look forward to the upcoming year, the connection with all of you and the continued opportunity to share the writings and services of very dedicated individuals who have and will be present to hold a loving space for the changes that we will continue to experience during our evolutionary growth.

Happy Anniversary Everyone !