A Kinder, Gentler World

Much Respect and Props to Hershey High students for this bold initiative!  

[See below article for details]

Spreading Awareness and Education are the key to ending Bullying and increasing Sensitivity and Tolerance toward others. Our similarities as human beings are stronger than our superficial differences! Expressing the benefits of "Inclusion" through creativity and art is an effective means to teach others and spread awareness in a non-threatening manner. Often the effects of being "preached to" yield unintended results and resistance, especially in the teenage population who are typically hostile and rebellious toward direct authoritarian methods of [re]direction. This "hands-on" approach is inclusive and experiential as students participate in and focus on a shared activity with a common goal. I hope that more schools and programs will follow suit with similar initiatives to address issues related to social diversity and exclusive thinking such as intolerance, hatred, prejudice, bullying, racism, equal rights, immigration, poverty stigma, socio-economics (class discrimination) and other such forms of discrimination. Because prejudice and discrimination are acquired beliefs and behavior respectively, based on "Us vs Them" thinking and fueled by learned stereotypes, we must begin by addressing the misinformation. We must attack the problem at its source, replacing the underlying Ignorance and Fear that foster an attitude of EXclusion, with Education, Awareness and Tolerance to change core thinking and foster an attitude of INclusion. There is no better way to change negative thoughts to positive, than by creating positive experiences that challenge and counter old thoughts and behaviors. Learning through personal experience, replacing ignorance with hands-on knowledge, paired with Cognitive Restructuring through role-playing and repetition, is our most effective tool to Unlearn fear-based thoughts and assumptions. 

Perhaps a kinder, gentler world, united in peace and our common humanity, is indeed a possibility for future generations. 

~ Lisa Pearlman  5/16/14              

Hershey High Students Render Inclusive Art Work - abc27 WHTM

Photo courtesy of ABC-27 News

To Thine Own Self be True

Recently, while perusing the website Quora, I stumbled upon a contemplative question posed under the category "Spirituality and Personal Religion." I am reposting the question here, along with my personal answer, for my readers to contemplate and/or offer their personal feedback.

Question:  What can we do when our desire and values conflict?

Answer:

If our values are in conflict with our desires, as often seems to be the case, it is a warning sign that we may not be living authentically.  Our values are deep-rooted in us, yet many of us follow our desires instead.  To live authentically, we must re-evaluate our desires, as well as our values, and make a conscious choice whether to act in accordance with our values or to act against what we BELIEVE to be our values. 

Ask yourself: "Are my desires merely short-term desires or "whims" that will bring me temporary pleasure but long-lasting conflict, regret or misery?  If my values are in conflict with my desires, what is the basis of my values?  Are they values instilled in me by others, or through my upbringing, that I have not internalized?"  If they are truly your values, your conviction will be so strong you will be able to justify them without hesitation.  Your desires, on the other hand, may seem strong at the immediate moment, but choose to reflect on them rather than opting for "immediate gratification."  You may find the desire waning in intensity, much like a craving, or you may experience anxiety, but ultimately you must make a choice, so take the time to make the "right one", the one that, in the end, will strengthen your character rather than weaken, bring you peace of mind rather than conflict, and make you smile on the inside rather than frown. 

~ Lisa Pearlman 7/14/13 (Words and Photo Credit) 

Legacy of Love

Live each day like it's your last...it just might be! Your lifetime of choices become your legacy, regardless of the amount of material or length of time you amass during your temporary human experience.

Be authentic in all your actions and interactions...Follow your heart but do so mindfully...Choose Compassion over Apathy...Be Kind to yourself and others...Love Unconditionally...Be Fully Present for all of Life's experiences, accepting all without attaching meaning or preference to any one in particular - Life is a series of sequential moments, each one unique and fleeting; as one passes, another silently follows...Practice Equanimity and Humility in all situations, with the knowledge that This Too Shall Pass...
Above all else, Always DO YOU! Make Choices that enable your experience of Manifest Happiness and lessen your experience of Suffering. YOU are the only one who can choose and control your Thoughts, Attitudes, Feelings and Actions. YOU are the Reality Architect - YOU create your personal Reality!

If you choose wisely and live your life authentically...mindfully...humbly, then there will never be a reason for regret. Do not postpone matters of the heart -they are of the utmost importance...do not leave positive sentiment or loving words unsaid, as you may not get another chance to convey them...do not express negative, hurtful sentiment or criticism as you may never get a chance to apologize...Words wield power...they can never be retracted once uttered...they linger in the mind and heart like a moldy scent...their effects echo for eternity, a repetitive loop of cutting edge sound replayed in one's memory like a broken record.

It's ultimately your choice...why not start creating a Legacy of Love today?

© Lisa Pearlman 1/21/13

My "Happy New Year" Message

HAPPY NEW YEAR my dear friends and global family:

As we reflect on the passing year and anticipate a fresh beginning in 2013, let us allow our own true essence to shine, as well as embrace one another's inherent Divinity and Innocence. There is a simple solution to a complex multitude of problems. Be kind to one another...Treat others how you want to be treated...Give Unconditional Love freely and be receptive to Unconditional Love...Forgive yourself and others...Let Go of past mistakes. May 2013 usher in a new era based on our Commonality rather than our Differences, our Strengths rather than our Weaknesses, and our Unity rather than our Division. May this (R)Evolutionary Quickening, or Planetary Awakening as One, inspire more people to embrace their divine nature and reflect the qualities they espouse and expect in others. Only through balance of word and deed, will we transcend the hypocrisy inherent in a judgmental society. May the recent planetary shift in Awareness raise the vibrational level and collective consciousness of the masses accordingly to meet the mounting challenges of a rapidly growing population in a self-destructive world of depleting resources. May the prospects of a New Beginning inspire more people to "Be The Change," to help their fellow Earthlings, human or animal, whenever possible, to feel gratitude for what is often taken for granted, and "Pay it Forward" in kind with Love and Compassion for All Sentient Beings... For we are all ONE.
In fact, We are the Ones We Have Been Waiting For.
One World ~ ♥ One Love Eternal ♥
~ Namasté
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Wishing you moments of Peace, Love, Light & Laughter every day of your life! I LOVE YOU! ~ Lisa

Bullying: Apathy Gone Viral (Bystander Apathy Revisited)

Familiarity breeds Contempt, as well as Apathy. Apathy is a chronic, contagious, life-threatening disease that spreads quickly and quietly, a progressive plague of epic proportions, striking fear in the hearts of those few who are immune to the effects of its deadening poison. Like a wild fire in the wind, airborne pollutants spewing haphazardly, so are the infectious germs of Apathy out of control, a conflagration of random mutations, growing and multiplying. Without quarantine or containment, "Apathy Gone Viral" breeds and enslaves the ideal host from which Bullies germinate, infect and feed. An ongoing cycle of recontamination ensures a grim prognosis, as Bullying continues to flourish, thrive and victimize. Like the Phoenix rising forth from the ashes, so is the Bully empowered by the smoldering embers of Apathy. Victims are a natural by-product of Apathy, as well. Whether Bully or Victim, each is grown from the same seed. Apathy is the seed, that mutates into Bully or Victim. Apathy is the germ, that must be eradicated from the environment, that human beings must be vaccinated against, in order to put an end to this horrific epidemic called BULLYING. We must arrest this plague before it claims more hearts, minds and lives of our young, promising leaders of tomorrow and benefactors of the future.

© Lisa Pearlman 10/31/12

Let's Start a Revolution

The world needs Change. There is no question about that. The "Whys" are obvious and numerous. We can argue back and forth about the "What" since people's values and priorities may differ based on their quality of life. But the million dollar question that keeps politicians, activists and anyone who truly cares about the state of our planet up at night is "How?" HOW do we affect change? HOW do we implement change of any real substance or staying power (longevity.) To quote The Beatles: "You say you want a Revolution? Well you know, we all want to change the world."
A Revolution does not have to be marked by chaos, violence and power. Silence can be Revolutionary. Love can be Revolutionary. Spirituality can be Revolutionary. We must find peaceful, non-violent means to revolutionize and change things in this world, to change the status quo so as to improve life conditions for anyone living a sub-standard life (i.e. homeless, poverty, no medical care, unemployment, no clean water, hunger etc.) as well as ensure the humane treatment of all God's creatures, man or animal. Remember, the Change Begins With Me and You. An internal revolution of thought and spirit must take place within each one of us before we can make any significant changes affecting the outside world. Each of us operates at a state of consciousness, awakened by our stage of spiritual evolution at the time. Although many of humanity live their life unconsciously most of the time, we, as members of the human race, as human beings, are surely evolving as both enlightened individuals and as a collective consciousness on Earth. Our inner transformation is reflected in the world we live in, through our thoughts, ideas, words, and actions that represent our unity of purpose on a spiritual as well as a global level. The Revolution has begun...get with the program and be a part of One Love - One World. WE are surely the Ones We Have Been Waiting For...
c. Lisa Pearlman 5/29/12

Recipe for World PEACE ☺☻♡♥☮☯

Recipe for World PEACE ☺☻♡♥☮☯

Start with Gratitude, Add a healthy dose of Humility, Top off with a layer of Compassion. Sprinkle with Honesty, Respect and a whole lotta LOVE :-)

Can you imagine the possibilities if each one of us followed this recipe!?

The change starts with me and you.
Be the Change!

One World - One Love