I am the car pool Mom and take my son and four other kids home ever day.
Yesterday I had been taking donations to various agencies throughout Cleveland.
I picked up the kids and they were being kids- picking on and fighting with each other...
(I say kids but they are in junior high)
So I told them I had to make a stop to drop off one more donation- and I took them to the Men's homeless shelter in downtown Cleveland. I had a load of blankets - and knowing the temperature was going down again, I felt they would be desperately needed.
Well...Divine timing being what it is- we arrived at about 3:30- just when the men are lining up to get in to the shelter for the evening. There were at least 60+ men standing in line with their bags of possessions.
My son goes there all the time- but the others had never been there.
The car got very quiet.
I turned around and explained- In the morning- the shelter makes all the men go out to the street, it seams mean- but if they didn't, they wouldn't look for work- or see how painful this way of life is. I explained that these men have serious problems. Some are addicted to drugs and alcohol- some are mentally ill. Some got out of prison and can't find work- because they have had no education- or their criminal record makes it almost impossible to get a job. But when they come in to the shelter at night- they get food, a bed, a shower, laundry and counseling if they want it- and if they do- they help them get their lives in order. They get them medical- mental health and legal assistance- even tutors from the college come to help them get their GED.
So I told them to lock the doors while I dropped off the blankets.
I walked across the street and all the men said "Hi!!! What 's in the bags- is it food- can I have some???" They were laughing and they even held the door for me. I left the bag at the desk and went right back out. One man yelled- "Will you marry me??" "I yelled back- "You don't want me I'm a lot of work!!" which got a big laugh from the entire group... All the while- 5 pairs of very large eyeballs were watching from the van.
I got back in the car- and we all waved at the men who were waving at us....
I expressed how grateful I am for my life....
It was a pretty quiet ride home....
Friday, February 13, 2009
Monday, February 2, 2009
Compassion- a test from the Universe....
No matter where you are- it's never an accident. From the place you work to the situations and encounters that occur throughout the day. These encounters are not a coincidence-which leads me to my story...
Today I was in Giant Eagle. I live in a relatively Urban part of Cleveland- full of diversity- which I love- and why I have not moved in 12 years... This Giant Eagle it is one of those places where the diversity abounds. There are people from every ethnicity- from every socioeconomic level- and lifestyle. It is a virtual melting pot of humanity.
I don't frequent this store usually because everyone who works there seems unhappy and feels the need to let you know. So I usually have to have my 'psychic armor' on just to shop there.
My Disclaimer before I begin-This is not a judgment this is a spiritual observation of the goings on...lol
Today, I was in the checkout line, and the man running the register was in a very bad mood- picking on and making fun of the other man packing my groceries. He was being very sarcastic and mean- in a kidding way;but what I found most interesting is they both had physical disabilities; one more than the other.
Another employee came up and announced to the others that there were two elderly women begging for money in the parking lot. (they do this all the time-- so they said) Which started a tirade of judgment and opinion about people who beg- and what they 'need to do' about these women.
The customer and cashier from the line next to me chimed in about getting 'tired' of giving money to people who refuse to work or drink it away- "They should get a damn job" said the young man who made the announcement-and they went on and on.
I really couldn't be present to this situation and allow them to spew this intolerance anymore. I said "What about compassion?"They became very quiet. "It's not about the money- it's about compassion. No one wakes up deciding to be in poverty. They may not have the tools to change what's happened- or be aware of what to do next. They may be too proud or naive to ask for help in a better way."
The conversation abruptly ended.
A wave of sadness came over me.
When will we see there is no 'them'? 'They' are 'me' and all of us.
What befalls one, eventually befalls us all- we are all connected.
If you bear witness to these situations- they are the way the Universe presents opportunities to us- to challenge us- to see how we will respond.
Do we apply all the spiritual things we are reading?
Do we walk our talk?
We are being called to rise. To stamp out the darkness that has separated us.
Do you have the courage to answer?
Find the strength to Speak your Truth with love and make a difference in our World.
Today I was in Giant Eagle. I live in a relatively Urban part of Cleveland- full of diversity- which I love- and why I have not moved in 12 years... This Giant Eagle it is one of those places where the diversity abounds. There are people from every ethnicity- from every socioeconomic level- and lifestyle. It is a virtual melting pot of humanity.
I don't frequent this store usually because everyone who works there seems unhappy and feels the need to let you know. So I usually have to have my 'psychic armor' on just to shop there.
My Disclaimer before I begin-This is not a judgment this is a spiritual observation of the goings on...lol
Today, I was in the checkout line, and the man running the register was in a very bad mood- picking on and making fun of the other man packing my groceries. He was being very sarcastic and mean- in a kidding way;but what I found most interesting is they both had physical disabilities; one more than the other.
Another employee came up and announced to the others that there were two elderly women begging for money in the parking lot. (they do this all the time-- so they said) Which started a tirade of judgment and opinion about people who beg- and what they 'need to do' about these women.
The customer and cashier from the line next to me chimed in about getting 'tired' of giving money to people who refuse to work or drink it away- "They should get a damn job" said the young man who made the announcement-and they went on and on.
I really couldn't be present to this situation and allow them to spew this intolerance anymore. I said "What about compassion?"They became very quiet. "It's not about the money- it's about compassion. No one wakes up deciding to be in poverty. They may not have the tools to change what's happened- or be aware of what to do next. They may be too proud or naive to ask for help in a better way."
The conversation abruptly ended.
A wave of sadness came over me.
When will we see there is no 'them'? 'They' are 'me' and all of us.
What befalls one, eventually befalls us all- we are all connected.
If you bear witness to these situations- they are the way the Universe presents opportunities to us- to challenge us- to see how we will respond.
Do we apply all the spiritual things we are reading?
Do we walk our talk?
We are being called to rise. To stamp out the darkness that has separated us.
Do you have the courage to answer?
Find the strength to Speak your Truth with love and make a difference in our World.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
The Christmas angel..a parable....
The Christmas Angel
My 12 year old son wrote this for his English class...
The Christmas Angel
It was Christmas Eve, and God was looking at the Earth. He saw horrible things. He saw that the people were selfish and greedy. They were cutting down the forests, and they were killing the animals for fun. God was very disappointed with the humans and flooded the Earth before. Maybe he needed to do that again.
God called a meeting with every single angel in Heaven. He said, "I have been thinking about allowing a fire to destroy the Earth." "I have many angels down there to wake the people up, but they won't listen. They are selfish and busy with being greedy. There is no Peace or Love." said God.
One of the Angels stepped up, his name was Chamuel- he was the angel of Tolerance. He said "There are many people trying to help the Earth but are having a hard time because they don't want to listen. "I know that change is coming, if we could just give them more time." said Chamuel. Then God said, "Chamuel, if you can find 3 people that are kind ,loving and giving in 12 hours, I will help the people save the Earth. " Chamuel said ok, and God made him a homeless man, like many of the other angels he sent before, and put him on Earth.
God put Chamuel in front of a mall in Michigan. He was wearing an old brown shirt, torn jeans and tennis shoes- or at least he thought they were tennis shoes because they were held together with duct tape. He had no socks, hat, or gloves and his coat was filthy. He saw himself on the window at Sears, he looked pretty bad. He started walking around asking for money. Everyone he went up to said "No!". Some of them said "Get away freak", "Get a job", "You stink". Some ignored him. "Maybe God was right" Chamuel thought. Just then, a man came up to him and said "Here's a sandwich" and gave him the brown paper bag, and a twenty dollar bill. Chamuel thanked him as the man scurried to work. "Yes! One down, two to go and I still have nine hours left" said Chamuel. Just then the security guard grabbed him and told him to get out of there.
Chamuel walked and walked for a long time until he found a park. There were kids playing in the snow. They were sledding and having a fun time. He sat on the bench to eat the sandwich the man had given him, when he heard a crash of breaking ice and a kid yelling for help. Chamuel ran over to the pond where the kid fell in, he jumped in and pulled him to safety. Just then, the boy's mother came running over yelling at Chamuel, asking what he did to her son. He tried to tell her that he sledded into the pond, but she was screaming for help. It just so happened that a policeman was driving by, and he stopped, hearing the woman yelling. Chamuel was frozen and wet. He explained to the policeman, but he put him in the police car anyway. The officer gave him his coffee and his gloves, and a blanket from the trunk. He told Chamuel "You better go to the hospital; you might have hypothermia and frostbite." The policeman said he would drive him there. "See God, I told you there is Love here" Chamuel prayed. One to go, but he had less than an hour left.
He got to the hospital emergency room and went up to the nurse at the desk. He waited but she ignored him, then she looked up and asked him if he had money to pay. He said "No, I don't" She was rude and said "Wait over there with the others" and pointed over to a group of homeless and poor looking people who were waiting too.
He sat down, and saw a man on a stretcher off to the side in a hallway. He looked like someone he knew. Chamuel got up and went over to him. He was very old and homeless too. He knew this man! He was Ezekiel, an angel messenger sent here by God, a long time ago. Ezekiel was dying. He was getting ready to go back to Heaven. Chamuel said "Ezekiel, is that you?" Ezekiel said, "Chamuel, my old friend, I failed my mission, I could not get people to understand. Now I am old and my time here is done." Chamuel said, "You did your best," and while holding his hand, Ezekiel died. Chamuel cried, for his friend and for the people of Earth. His time too was short; he had just 15 minutes left.
As Chamuel went back to the waiting area a small boy came up to him, he had a small bunch of flowers. The little boy handed him a tissue for his still watery eyes. He asked, "Was that your friend?" Chamuel said "Yes, what is your name?" He said, "My name is Joshua, My mom has cancer. I'm waiting while she has her treatment. Sometimes I get sad too, because I'm afraid she is going to die." A nurse pushing a woman in a wheel chair came over. Joshua said "Hi Mom!" this is my friend. She shook the Angel's hand, and said "I'm Jenny, it's nice to meet you." As Chamuel shook her hand, she felt tingly all over. Her son was the third and final person,that through his kindness and Love saved the Earth.
Chamuel gave Jenny and her son Joshua an amazing gift that Christmas Eve, he healed her Cancer. Chamuel let go of her hand and said "It's my pleasure to meet both of you too. I'm sorry, but I have to go, Merry Christmas!"
Chamuel walked to the elevator.He got to the elevator and there was Ezekiel already there. "Ready to go?" said Ezekiel. "Ready to go." said Chamuel. They pushed the very top button that only the angels can see, and when the doors opened they stepped into the light of Heaven.
The End.
"Continue to love on another, with true brotherly love, don't forget to be kind to strangers for some who have done this entertained angels without realizing it." Hebrews 13:2
The Christmas Angel
It was Christmas Eve, and God was looking at the Earth. He saw horrible things. He saw that the people were selfish and greedy. They were cutting down the forests, and they were killing the animals for fun. God was very disappointed with the humans and flooded the Earth before. Maybe he needed to do that again.
God called a meeting with every single angel in Heaven. He said, "I have been thinking about allowing a fire to destroy the Earth." "I have many angels down there to wake the people up, but they won't listen. They are selfish and busy with being greedy. There is no Peace or Love." said God.
One of the Angels stepped up, his name was Chamuel- he was the angel of Tolerance. He said "There are many people trying to help the Earth but are having a hard time because they don't want to listen. "I know that change is coming, if we could just give them more time." said Chamuel. Then God said, "Chamuel, if you can find 3 people that are kind ,loving and giving in 12 hours, I will help the people save the Earth. " Chamuel said ok, and God made him a homeless man, like many of the other angels he sent before, and put him on Earth.
God put Chamuel in front of a mall in Michigan. He was wearing an old brown shirt, torn jeans and tennis shoes- or at least he thought they were tennis shoes because they were held together with duct tape. He had no socks, hat, or gloves and his coat was filthy. He saw himself on the window at Sears, he looked pretty bad. He started walking around asking for money. Everyone he went up to said "No!". Some of them said "Get away freak", "Get a job", "You stink". Some ignored him. "Maybe God was right" Chamuel thought. Just then, a man came up to him and said "Here's a sandwich" and gave him the brown paper bag, and a twenty dollar bill. Chamuel thanked him as the man scurried to work. "Yes! One down, two to go and I still have nine hours left" said Chamuel. Just then the security guard grabbed him and told him to get out of there.
Chamuel walked and walked for a long time until he found a park. There were kids playing in the snow. They were sledding and having a fun time. He sat on the bench to eat the sandwich the man had given him, when he heard a crash of breaking ice and a kid yelling for help. Chamuel ran over to the pond where the kid fell in, he jumped in and pulled him to safety. Just then, the boy's mother came running over yelling at Chamuel, asking what he did to her son. He tried to tell her that he sledded into the pond, but she was screaming for help. It just so happened that a policeman was driving by, and he stopped, hearing the woman yelling. Chamuel was frozen and wet. He explained to the policeman, but he put him in the police car anyway. The officer gave him his coffee and his gloves, and a blanket from the trunk. He told Chamuel "You better go to the hospital; you might have hypothermia and frostbite." The policeman said he would drive him there. "See God, I told you there is Love here" Chamuel prayed. One to go, but he had less than an hour left.
He got to the hospital emergency room and went up to the nurse at the desk. He waited but she ignored him, then she looked up and asked him if he had money to pay. He said "No, I don't" She was rude and said "Wait over there with the others" and pointed over to a group of homeless and poor looking people who were waiting too.
He sat down, and saw a man on a stretcher off to the side in a hallway. He looked like someone he knew. Chamuel got up and went over to him. He was very old and homeless too. He knew this man! He was Ezekiel, an angel messenger sent here by God, a long time ago. Ezekiel was dying. He was getting ready to go back to Heaven. Chamuel said "Ezekiel, is that you?" Ezekiel said, "Chamuel, my old friend, I failed my mission, I could not get people to understand. Now I am old and my time here is done." Chamuel said, "You did your best," and while holding his hand, Ezekiel died. Chamuel cried, for his friend and for the people of Earth. His time too was short; he had just 15 minutes left.
As Chamuel went back to the waiting area a small boy came up to him, he had a small bunch of flowers. The little boy handed him a tissue for his still watery eyes. He asked, "Was that your friend?" Chamuel said "Yes, what is your name?" He said, "My name is Joshua, My mom has cancer. I'm waiting while she has her treatment. Sometimes I get sad too, because I'm afraid she is going to die." A nurse pushing a woman in a wheel chair came over. Joshua said "Hi Mom!" this is my friend. She shook the Angel's hand, and said "I'm Jenny, it's nice to meet you." As Chamuel shook her hand, she felt tingly all over. Her son was the third and final person,that through his kindness and Love saved the Earth.
Chamuel gave Jenny and her son Joshua an amazing gift that Christmas Eve, he healed her Cancer. Chamuel let go of her hand and said "It's my pleasure to meet both of you too. I'm sorry, but I have to go, Merry Christmas!"
Chamuel walked to the elevator.He got to the elevator and there was Ezekiel already there. "Ready to go?" said Ezekiel. "Ready to go." said Chamuel. They pushed the very top button that only the angels can see, and when the doors opened they stepped into the light of Heaven.
The End.
"Continue to love on another, with true brotherly love, don't forget to be kind to strangers for some who have done this entertained angels without realizing it." Hebrews 13:2
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
The REAL world....
The real world..
Current mood: Motivated
Category: Motivated Goals, Plans, Hopes
I have spent the holiday vacation doing all the wonderful things that I don't normally get to do.
Hang out and play with my son, play video games with him all night long, visit with friends, play cards (poker, BS and pennies) clean and purge my house, take a nap, run errands, cleaned my basement.…
But there is one thing that I indulged in during this time that was more addictive, more of a diversion, and more of a vacuum of time that anything else- and that was …the INTERNET….
Wow, it was like a drug, I lost all sense of time…
I was creating pages on MySpace and Facebook- I was looking up old clients and friends- I was reading the postings of the lost, the lonely and the bizarre…
I was adding applications that saved the rain forest- I even dressed up a little virtual dog in a pirate hat to donate money for animal rescue…I wondered what people were saying about me on "Tagged"…what presents did my friends send me? Who "bought me" as their Pet….lol
Minutes turned into hours. I realized at one point that I hadn't moved for hours..Or eaten lunch…or gone to the bathroom for that matter… I was in a vortex of illusion….
As a Pisces, this was Nirvana!!!
I am sending this blog with a Question and a Request…
How many hours do you spend diverting your life with the internet, or other things that divert your time?
Do you reach out in the community to volunteer or do random acts of kindness?
Do you belong to any groups where you have to leave the house and meet with people in person?
Can you talk to strangers while you are out and about- saying hello and how are you?
If you answered no to any of these- turn off the computer and go find something else to do..
Look for your purpose- Be of service to the less fortunate- Visit someone in a nursing home- Deliver meals to shut ins…Invite a friend to volunteer with you…Run an errand for the elderly… Volunteer at the local animal shelter.. Walk a dog for someone who can't get out…
And before you know it- you will have made new and real friends- and reconnected with your old ones in a more purpose filled way!
But for God's sake... and your own- discover the world outside your door….
Actively yours,
Marianne
Current mood: Motivated
Category: Motivated Goals, Plans, Hopes
I have spent the holiday vacation doing all the wonderful things that I don't normally get to do.
Hang out and play with my son, play video games with him all night long, visit with friends, play cards (poker, BS and pennies) clean and purge my house, take a nap, run errands, cleaned my basement.…
But there is one thing that I indulged in during this time that was more addictive, more of a diversion, and more of a vacuum of time that anything else- and that was …the INTERNET….
Wow, it was like a drug, I lost all sense of time…
I was creating pages on MySpace and Facebook- I was looking up old clients and friends- I was reading the postings of the lost, the lonely and the bizarre…
I was adding applications that saved the rain forest- I even dressed up a little virtual dog in a pirate hat to donate money for animal rescue…I wondered what people were saying about me on "Tagged"…what presents did my friends send me? Who "bought me" as their Pet….lol
Minutes turned into hours. I realized at one point that I hadn't moved for hours..Or eaten lunch…or gone to the bathroom for that matter… I was in a vortex of illusion….
As a Pisces, this was Nirvana!!!
I am sending this blog with a Question and a Request…
How many hours do you spend diverting your life with the internet, or other things that divert your time?
Do you reach out in the community to volunteer or do random acts of kindness?
Do you belong to any groups where you have to leave the house and meet with people in person?
Can you talk to strangers while you are out and about- saying hello and how are you?
If you answered no to any of these- turn off the computer and go find something else to do..
Look for your purpose- Be of service to the less fortunate- Visit someone in a nursing home- Deliver meals to shut ins…Invite a friend to volunteer with you…Run an errand for the elderly… Volunteer at the local animal shelter.. Walk a dog for someone who can't get out…
And before you know it- you will have made new and real friends- and reconnected with your old ones in a more purpose filled way!
But for God's sake... and your own- discover the world outside your door….
Actively yours,
Marianne
Friday, August 22, 2008
A Cleveland Matriarch for Service
A Cleveland Matriarch for Service
Posted on Aug 17th, 2008 by 
Marianne
Marianne Recently here in the city of Cleveland, we experienced a loss of a great advocate for the people.
Her name is Fannie Mae Lewis.
fannie mae Lewis
She sat on the city council for the city of Cleveland since 1980 representing one of the most infamous of Cleveland neighborhoods, Hough.
Cleveland, and the Hough Neighborhood attracted the attention of national media in the late 1960's due to the Hough Riots, which stemmed from racial discrimination- unfair deplorable housing conditions and poverty. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hough_Riots
Mrs. Lewis was an advocate for the people. She was truly a spiritual warrior.
Her death and the story of her service to the people is an inspiration to me.
She was outspoken- tenacious- and determined. It has been said that she didn't take no for an answer- she walked in her truth, made sure she was informed and demanded that from others.
My thought for the day is inspired by her story.
Much of my own personal calling is about serving, I have been inspired by the lives of many such leaders; Dr Martin Luther Kind, Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Harriet Tubman to name a few.
Many people ask me ‘what is my life's purpose?".
To find our purpose requires us to serve.
It demands that we move our focus from ourselves to others.
It demands personal risk and investment.
It asks us to remove judgment and blame by embracing compassion and love.
Our robotically busy lives and our own problems prevent us from seeing the balance that serving provides.
It puts our own situations in perspective.
It reminds us to return to gratitude for the blessings that we take for granted.
It has us re-evaluating our existence, making changes that have us working smarter, not harder.
It removes the gluttony of materialism.
It waters the seeds of love and compassion within our hearts.
It removes the barriers of separateness.
Service shows us that there is no separation.
We are all one.
The testimony to a life is not a headstone or a monument; it is remembered by embracing the best parts of those who have gone before us and mirroring that in your own life.
To emulate those who inspire us in their greatness.
If each of us can ignite a fire within us from the spark of their blaze, we can't help but begin to change first our own lives and then the world.
Marianne Goldweber
Thursday, December 6, 2007
What will you do?
When you embrace a spiritual path, the little happenings in life begin to take on a deeper meaning.
Once you embrace the idea that everything is happening for a reason- that there are no coincidences - it is hard to be a victim- or resent these life challenges when we see them as opportunities to grow or evolve or to gain another perception.
I used to use the word 'weird' to explain these things- but realized it's not weird- but very interesting..
My son has even come to use the word 'interesting' to explain these moments...
But whatever term you use it all means the same- unexplainable miraculous occurrences that make me think and gain a new awareness.
Which brings me to understand; that in these moments we are being called to make a choice- to act or not. More and more as I accept my place as leader, teacher and elder- I see there is no one other than me to act in any given moment that which is being presented to me.
So with that said- Heed the call- do what is right- there is no one that can do it as well as you in that moment- but will you respond????
Here is the thought for the day-
If you were invited to a banquet and had to bring your own meal- and you brought a steak with baked potatoes and asparagus with Boston cream pie for desert.
Joining you at that table were a sampling of the human diversity from your community.
Across from you was a mother with children who had nothing to bring- how much would you enjoy your meal without sharing it?
Marianne Goldweber
Spiritualist-Minister
Friday, November 9, 2007
My Little Gandhi
Through my Personal and Spiritual awakening, I had a little shadow. He is my son.
It's interesting how becoming a parent changes your awareness. It makes you more keenly aware of what a damaged place this world is. I went from wanting to protecting my child- to wanting to change the world…
A world where violence-war- hatred-apathy-anger-chaos-cruelty-slander-gossip-revenge-abuse-neglect- runs rampant.
We are so assaulted by this- that we have become numb to the horror- we have actually developed a TOLERANCE to this dysfunction.
I was bullied as a child, and lack of self esteem and insecurity kept me from taking my place as a leader in my life.I was a victim.
True Leadership partners with accountability- and that for me being accountable was a lot of work- however, I was very critical as to why NO ONE was doing anything about it. Little did I know that I was the someone who would become powerful enough to lead.
Lots of things inspired me but none as much as the movie Gandhi. I spent the bulk of my life avoiding rules-criticizing the establishment. Gandhi was an attorney- he knew the rules and used them against the establishment- the intruders in his country-with peaceful, lawful disobedience….He was my kind of guy.
I realized someone has to go first- and that someone was me….
My son- my little Gandhi- has watched me rise- to stand in the conviction of my truth. He has watched me be criticized and belittled for my beliefs and my social consciousness. He has seen firsthand the power of hate and fear. But as I told him a leader;a Spiritual warrior must continue to rise.
I told him that a leader has a bulls-eye on their butt.
A Leader is a target- so you have to have the courage to stand up- not just for ourselves- but for those who cannot stand and fight- the silent majority.
Bullying is rampant in his school. No one was willing to address such a large problem.
The inmates were running the asylum.
On a daily basis he was having a run in with a group of boys one especially that he referred to as- 'a damaged human being'. He applied all the 'strategies' that the school provided- but no one was supporting his efforts.
They were incredibly apathetic.
One day he had enough; he got jumped after school and was forced to defend himself. He said 'Mom, it was like dark chocolate- sweet and bitter at the same time'. I told him that overpowering another person can be addictive, this why violence only creates more violence. He and the boy and the principal met. He told the other boy “I will not allow you to spew your hate and unhappiness on me anymore”.. and with the resolve of a Leader- he communicated to the administration.
He and I met with the entire teaching staff. He did not relent, and it took awhile for them to take us seriously. Since then they have provided this other boy with support and the help that he needs.
Gandhi would be proud, he followed the chain of command- we applied positive pressure for accountability to the powers at large - we used the student handbook's rules and state laws to our advantage.
There is a new campaign against hate and bullying at his school.
We are also starting a random acts of kindness campaign.
Jarred said "Being a leader and having to go first is hard, but staying down and suffering is harder".
That's my boy. :)
Namaste,
Marianne
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