My Symphony

My Symphony

In the silence, I have discovered a sound.
I call it My Note.
One single note that resonates within me.
Emanates from me.
I play my personal sound throughout my days,
and the resonance of that sound has attracted other vibrations.
Some in perfect chord and harmony with my own.
and yet,
there have been those that are sharp
and some flat
But....
When I stop to reflect
upon all of the notes I've met
and play them in succession and unison
it has revealed a great work
which is, the Symphony that is my Life.
Marianne Goldweber

Conscious giving this Holiday season

As we embark into the holiday season-please, rethink what we are purchasing as gifts. Please, support local owned businesses and artists. Try to avoid companies that outsource jobs, or import foreign goods and materials. 

Help your children make their gifts for family and friends- or even make them yourself. Or make a family agreement to purchase personal care and household items for those in need at this time of year. Donate your time as a family to a shelter or elder care facility.Donate toys for children who would love and cherish your gift. 

Together we can make this a kinder and more meaningful holiday season, and who knows- you make get the holiday bug all year long...:)

 

If you need ideas or sources- just send me an email!-
Remember- It takes A Village- Marianne Goldweber
A Village- Development Center, Cleveland ohio
216.324.2657
Mariannegoldweber@yahoo.com

Getting serious about Serving.. Join us!

When I realized that I was about to embark on this Spiritual journey, I knew that once I went through that door, there was no turning back. I would be forever changed. There was no going back to my illusionary, problematic life- where I was whining and resistant to seeing anyones suffering but my own.

A Spiritual life is selfless- not in that you don't care for your own needs, but in a way that if my needs aren't met- I cannot fully Serve the needs of humanity.

Part of our Village philosphy is about  Selfless serving and  compassionate giving.
What the hell is that, you ask?
Well, Selfless Serving is unconditional, without condition- without  being thanked, rewarded or acknowledged for  our contribution.
Compassionate giving is to everyone, even those that some feel are not deserving- the addict- the  imprisoned- the greedy- the demanding. the ungrateful. Because you see- it is not in what is given- it is given with compassion- the energy attached is not about the recipient, it is about the giver.

I began this journey serving women in transitional housing, and then contributed through the  homeless shelters and then through other non profit outreach facilities- like the Salvation Army.

I didn't know (at that time)  the impoverished commutity firsthand, so I alligned myself with those who work directly with those in  need.
Since that time- I have advocated, raised awareness, collected non cash donations, solicited non cash donations from businesses and supported individuals, families and agencies that make a difference directly.

There are risks too-
There are liars, criminals, and deviant behaviors. There is pedophilia, rape and rap sheets. There is only a basic survival instinct to take- some are rude and ungrateful- somehow created by our separateness as a society and lack of Love.
 and ...you may fall in love...with mankind- even if they haven't bathed- or are mentally ill- or elderly and alone..their eyes tell a story, and their stories are amazing. They connect to your god light and you will become the weeping Buddha- for someone created their suffering and their suffering is palpable.
It can overwhelm and consume you.

Then there are the children-who never got to believe in Santa- because it is an illusion that parents can't fill. Like flowers in  the sidewalk crack- they grow and  thrive in spite of their  living conditions, they laugh and play and wish wishes and dream dreams. Some, who's reality is your worst nightmare.

And we choose to Serve, even at great personal risk of insignificance.

Beginning this year- our Collective effort as a personal and spiritual development center is to commit  to making a difference in our communities. Last year- we served over 100 individuals and falmilies with  every day products, food and clothes, advocacy and spiritual support. This year, our goal is over 500 individuals and families that we can make a difference to. Sound like a tall order? Not really. Here is what we can do;

If every person on my facebook friends list contributed the following- Today, that would be 778 people. If those shared it with 1 friend- that number would double. So 500 seems relatively easy!
If you can give 1 thing. on the list.
Also, it doesn;t matter where you live- there are shelters and agencies in your area that need the support.

Here is what each person can contribute;
1 tube toothpaste
1 toothbrush
1 pack of mens socks
1 washcloth
1 towel
1 lotion
1 shampoo
1 laundry soap
2 paper towels
1 large toilet  paper
1 pack light bulbs
laundry detergent
cleaner
hydrogen peroxide
bandaids
feminine products
hairbrush
mens under wear(new)

Now....there are  other items that are in desperate need- new or used and CLEAN
mens clothing (all kinds)
Boots (men women and children)
Shoes (mens women and children)
Coats (mens women and children)
hats, scarves and gloves (mens women and children)
long under wear
Blankets and throws- new or used  and CLEAN please. (no comforters -they are too hard to wash)


Care Alliance-Will take old prescription meds to redistribute to the sick homeless by doctors.There are a number of their health care facilities in Cleveland.

Health Care Alliance (216) 781-3414 2227 Payne Ave, Cleveland, OH Get Directions

Thank you for being part of my Village, and together- we can make a difference in our changing world.
Peace and Love
Marianne Goldweber
216.324.2657
Mariannegoldweber@yahoo.com
www.avillagecleveland.com

Maneuvering Life's Highway

There are always going to be people and things that cut you off on the highway of life.. but how you maneuver and respond makes all the difference...- Marianne Goldweber

This quote was inspired by a car adccident the other day. I was driving along- listening to  the radio, the sun was out when all of the sudden- I saw an accident about to happen. I check the rear, tried to maneuver around it, but one of the drivers cut in front of me and I when I tried to maneuver away  we collided anyway.

After the initial shock and aftermath I had some quiet tome to reflect on that situation and how it pertains to Life. 

Many times, we see  the situation coming- but we can only prepare so much and there are going to be times that no matter how much we prepare- things are not up to us. There are others involved and we can never anticipate how they are going to respond in the same situation. The outcome is  now out of our control and  we are left with  the impact and the cleanup.

Had I not been  careful and alert; armed with many years of driving and past experiences- this could have been much worse. So the lesson here is; You can only be adequately prepared for the unknown- how everyone will respond  in  life's situations will affect us- but there is great purpose and learning in each and every one for us and everyone else. :)

The Path

crawling
rising
stepping
unsteady
falling
crying
rising
angry
determined
panting
puffing
climbing
slipping
defeated
bruised
broken
resolute
resilient
excited
careful
curious
strong
courageous
grateful
methodical
pondering
believing
purposeful
aware
conscious
liberated
grateful
jubilant

Marianne Goldweber

Spiritual accountability- the key to freedom

We are groomed from birth to feel  pain, pleasure, disappointment, success, guilt,  and a myriad of emotions. However- as psychic spiritual beings- we are not taught how to separate the feelings or emotion of others from our own.

For most of us, culture and  spirituality are very separate. Unlike  most indigenous cultures, where the relationship from  Creator to man is not separate; that they co-exist with the Divine.  This teaching includes  a  great responsibility to themselves, the children  and communities to stay on the Good Red Road;  to serve selflessly and care for their brothers and sisters be they  human, animal, plant or stone.

Lives of honor, truth and accountability to defend our planet- our Mother. Their thoughts and actions  leading the way. Remembering that any negative experience that they have,  has been created for growth- not as a punishment, but as an event to gather knowledge and  use to evolve to a place of wisdom. Through those teaching, they become  the wizened  example of a committed life.


Now, in our  western culture there are few leaders, that we hear of  regularly, who can fit into that category. The leaders that we hold  above and emulate are famous; however, not for the most  honorable reasons. They are entertainers, or politicians, or  recognizable because they are willing to put their dysfunctional lives on public display for money.  Material wealth- not character, gives them a higher status of respect and reverence.

This is a culture of blame- not ownership. It's always someones fault for the suffering.- the victimization that  permeates this negative culture. So instead of becoming a leader- we seek out diversions to escape a painful, uninspired existence. We numb ourselves with  anything that will take us away from  the truth  of our lives for a while. We use alcohol, drugs, antidepressants and other pharmaceuticals, shopping,  technology, television and video games.

In order to keep the illusion going, we must work  grueling  jobs we hate, for people who remind us that we are expendable. Just so we can  buy more stuff, or pay for the stuff we bought- while our children are in  day cares with strangers.

Where are the Heroes, the Elders, the Wise ones?

We are the future- what we feel in our depression is the pain of our  changing world. The chaos and drama of others. Until we clear our own  life and home,  and create peace- we will not be able to understand and defend ourselves against the assault of negativity that surrounds us.

We must first decompress-  and assess where we are, what we want and what is truly important in our lives. To (possibly for the first time) look at who we are authentically, not who we have been told to be. We must stop and gather our thoughts and  take a  clear look at what we have created while we were diverted- or asleep. It is in that stillness  that the Divine speaks. The loving,  higher knowing,  reminds us of  the better way.

As we awaken- and make changes, it becomes easier to know what makes us feel good, loved and peaceful. We can then  come to see the source of what does not. It's then, that we can choose to  create purpose filled lives, and begin to set boundaries to the fear and  unhappiness of others.

You are the hero, you are  the one you've been waiting for. :)

Be the change you wish to see- and you will find that the world is not as bad as it seems. There is Hope, Love and Joy. You will meet others,  just like you that had the courage to lead.
Then the ripple will be created.

Independence Day

I woke up today, thinking about Independence and Patriotism. they are both  interesting words, meaning;

Independence-freedom from the control, influence, support and aid of others. 

Patriot-a person who loves, supports, and defends his or her country and its interests with devotion.

a person who regards himself or herself as a defender, especially of individual rights, against presumed interference by the federal government.

I was reflecting on how the United States wanted their independence from England- that  they wanted the  freedom to self govern. I was thinking about all the people who saw this country as a place where they could be free to think for themselves, to make money by creating their own business, to take care of their families, to believe what they wanted and to escape from persecution. 

Some of our inhabitants were not here willingly, but enslaved and eventually earned their freedom. I think about the Native peoples of this country, and every country- the First Peoples- our Native American brothers, who have had to relinquish their freedom in order for us to have ours; who still suffer today.

I thought about the courage and challenge and effort it took to be Self Governing, and to stand in that truth amidst the criticism of the naysayers, critics and large powers who sabotaged that  fight for Freedom at every turn.

I see the result of that Dream of our ancestors, and ask- would they be proud of what we've become?

I saw a commentary by Tony Blair on what makes America great- and I have to say that it inspired me as a Patriot. I don't always agree with  our politics, or  the decisions our government  makes- but I do believe that by having the Freedom to not agree; I am blessed to live in a place that allows me to do that. 

It is through the hard work- determination of  every immigrant that made this country what is is  and through the kindness and tolerance of our Native peoples, that I have these freedoms today.

I am inspired to  see tomorrow as my own Independence day- to be free from the tyranny of  the greatest enemy- myself and seek to  be self governing- disciplined and  raise my flag in truth, integrity and faith. 

I will strive to be courageous and blaze my own trail .

I will seek to be independent and pull my own load. 

I will not burden another with my lack of accountability.

I will defend that independence and be a beacon of it in  this world.

I will be an expression of my Faith.

I am proud to be an American and a Patriot- and Our United States,  like any family it has it's quirky bits- but we love each other and will do whatever it takes to defend it and  keep it together.

That is what makes us great. :)