Aloha,

We are in Maui getting ready to lead our newest workshop on Community Building! It starts tomorrow and we excited about exploring this subject with people for the first time. What stops you from taking on creating community?

Cafe Gratitude Oakland celebrated their second anniversary and the people there continue to inspire us.  If you have never visited that location stop by for lunch one day and see community being in service to one another.

Hi Everyone,

We are coming up for air after so much rain.  Our stove pipe was blown over in the last storm and mud was abundant, for sure!  However, we also love all the rain and the green grass that is covering the farm. The chickens, while wet, are still loving being out and about! The almond and apricot blossoms are over, and the first of the nectarine and early peach blossoms are still on the trees though not as full as they first were. The apple and Italian plum blossoms are full and sweet smelling.  I love this time of year.  The promise of those blossoms have me remembering all of the fruit that follows and the bees are more evident. 

Today, as about this same time last year, a group of students from UC Berkeley are here visiting the farm, cleaning out pens and helping make the family meal. They love it here, and are so grateful for the experience that is adding something precious to their educational experience. The farm crew loves all the visitors that start showing up once rainy season is past and the sun is out. 

I was always the caretaker, tending to the needs of everyone else. It was very difficult for me to do or buy things for myself, I always felt guilty. I had been taught that it is better to give than to receive. I was over 50 before I ever went on a real vacation. I just couldn't spend the money or imagine what I would do. I knew I would feel guilty if I went somewhere without my children and how could I afford to take them? I kept myself busy with work, busy with providing for us. My work defined me, created what I saw as my value. I couldn't imagine spending idle days, doing what? Then Matthew took me to Hawaii and I found myself swimming in warm sea water and simply relaxing, allowing the Aloha spirit to sink in, for the first time in my adult life. It was wonderful and confronting.

I began to realize that when I let someone else contribute to me, I am actually giving them the gift of giving. Again I had to practice this way of giving so that I could learn that it is valuable to allow others to give just as it is also great to receive. I have received a lot in the past several years and this has made a huge difference for me, I had to push past guilty thoughts that I was unworthy, undeserving or would be indebted.  I have learned to love to give and receive.