Raj Editorial - from A Way of Life Issue March 2010   |   Text View

Hi Everyone - Its 2010!!!

Remember to spend some time today in gratitude for what you have - for you and I are so blessed.

A friend sent me a greeting for Christmas which brought my life into perspective for me…..

Suzanne and I and our children, and I am sure all of you reading this fit into this same category - we were born into a lifestyle that is enjoyed by less than 8% of those on the planet, 3 billion people cannot read and thus their opportunities are greatly reduced, two billion cannot choose a religious experience even if they want one, over half the world's people live in fear of war, strife, and under the threat of personal danger to themselves and their families in every moment.

Most of us experience none of this. I am deeply grateful to God for my children on this and every day - to know they can make their own choices, to have the life they choose and to be free. This is perhaps the most wonderful gift a Father could be given - to know that his children are safe. God does that for me.

I know too that it is my role to be in compassion for those who do not have what I have, who cannot find peace, who even on this day will go hungry and who are without shelter, do not have the chance for education that might bring them from poverty. Maybe I cannot change their circumstances, yet I can however open my heart and acknowledge them.

When I take the time to love myself and acknowledge my circumstances and to feel something for those who have less, I truly believe I open a dynamic that eases the level of pain in the world and thus somewhere, someone may have life a little easier - I am allowing something good to happen. That is an awesome gift to extend into the world and while that is my daily task, this time of new beginnings provides me with new opportunity. And I take it willingly.

Yes, I understand that I cannot fully grasp the real pain and suffering in the world, the horror and injustice, the depth of tragedy of life, yet in Bali where I spend so much time, I am witness to and feel the despair of a father who earns $1 a day, working seven days a week to only be able to provide rice for his family and worse, with no hope of change ever being offered. His children can't go to state school not because it's not available but because he cannot provide shoes and uniform and books and pens. I feel the shame of a father who can offer no hope for a better world for his children.

Imagine then what feels like to make a difference - so often I hear criticism of today's young people and yet I know one Colorado high school student who is motivated to do community service work. He has made a commitment to provide change - he gets friends and family to each sponsor him at 25c/hr and each year raises $10,000 to put ten students into year long career training programs that guarantee really great jobs that provide enough income to support not only the individual but also their siblings and aged parents - and his is an annual commitment. Wow!!

Then I consider the impact of just one small act of kindness - in this instance by a man who was inspired ten years ago to put a young Balinese boy through computer education. Today that boy, Wayan Rustiasa is the primary motivator and founder of the Karuna Bali non-profit foundation that is now extending the same gift Wayan received back to hundreds of impoverished families allowing their children to have the chance to reach their potential.

The people of the Way of the Heart -so many of you have been at the forefront of all we have been able to achieve in Bali. The Karuna Bali Foundation is your child, your venture and now you are seeing massive change - over a thousand young people whose lives you have impacted. You have shifted the quality of their experience forever, help them realize their Values, and along the way invoking their appreciation for the opportunity. All this is directly as a result of YOUR expression of love.

Now as we open ourselves to the progression offered to us - our next step with Karuna Bali must be to move out of Bali into Indonesia proper to affect more lives and change the dynamics of more people.

I cannot believe the potential we are realising. At the last AGM we, that is the 17 involved in faculty and admin agreed to go all out in the creation for the Production Studio of Values Education programs to be offered through TV and by DVD free to teachers all across Indonesia to help them awaken their children's potential - something completely unknown as a concept. Given the collection of sufficient funding for equipment this should be operational by May to coincide with our next intake of full time sponsored kids (again largely sponsored by funds from Kenny, our Colorado student) for the new multimedia courses. Mind you, the studio itself is being built as we speak!

All this is leading up to training for KB's own TV and Radio broadcasting station in 2012. So, this year we'll see classes running for graphic design and multimedia simultaneously with all their practical study directly contributing to the extension of living values into the community. What fun!

From within Karuna Bali comes now the recognition that we have established successful Values based educational models that can be duplicated ANYWHERE. These practical models documented on film (by our students) become training tools for any teacher, in any country who wants to empower young people to discover their potential for themselves.

WE DO STILL NEED YOUR HELP and it is so simple... you are invited to become our partner in a five year plan to change the world! There, how bold is that?

For as little as US$10 a month your contribution will continue and help build upon KARUNA BALI FOUNDATION's proven track record.

KARUNA BALI FOUNDATION is a legal, Indonesian government recognized non-profit organization established to 'Reduce Poverty through Education' and responsible for implementing the UNESCO endorsed LIVING VALUES EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM throughout Indonesia.

Aside from being able to fully informed with our growth through the Karuna Bali website -www.karunabali.com - you are invited to come to Bali, to meet the teaching and admin staff and even volunteer as an English speaking teacher personally experiencing and seeing for yourself the great work that your contribution is making.

Could you be like the young American from Colorado? Could you extend this invitation to your friends, family and community to join with us in partnership to make a huge difference together?

It's quick; it's simple and all for the price of a cup of coffee a week! Can you help us ?

To join with us and donate - CLICK HERE

From the bottom of our hearts, Suzanne and I send our Love to you, our gratitude for the part you play in our world with us. Please know that we are open to suggestions, not only for the Journal but the website itself and we do actively seek advice from you as to how we can use this medium, now 13 years in the making, to be of better service to our readers and people everywhere. We would also like to learn what is working best for you and how we can tell others about it. In short - what would you like us to bring to you in this coming year?

On a final note and following the saying, "If you want help, Ask For It" …. With the Journal now free online, we have no income source to support it. We do therefore seek sponsorship for each of the quarterly issues, and while no longer a major cost we still have to find the $650 for the each production.

This can be a tax deductible expense too to offset against your income tax plus, if it helps you, in return for your sponsorship we are very pleased to promote your business activities across the website for all to see.

Have a wonderful start to 2010, treating yourselves with daily doses of Love and Kindness,

Love and Blessings,

Raj

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