Celebration Calendar

March
[American Red Cross Month, Irish-American Heritage Month, National Cheerleaders Safety Month, National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, National Craft Month, National Frozen Food Month, National Nutrition Month, National Poison Prevention Month, National Spiritual Wellness Month, National Women's History Month]

April:
[Alcohol Awareness Month, Autism Awareness Month, Celebrate Diversity Month, National Pecan Month, National Poetry Month, Childhood Prevention Month]

May:
[Family Awareness Month, ALS Awareness Month, Jewish- American Heritage Month, National Mental Health Month, Motorcycle Safety Month, National Navajo Code Talkers Month, National Physical Fitness Month, National Smile Month]

Inspirational Quote

Spring is working hard this year to poke through the Portland snow dust.ings that keep rolling through.  It is the time of year when Mother Nature teases us by sprinkling a few sunny warm days amongst the stormy and cold days.  Stores begin to stock potting soil, and outdoor furniture appears as abundant as multiplying bunny rabbits.  It is a promise of things to come.  I love this transition and all the traditions and rituals that surround the rebirth of our world at spring.  It reminds us that nothing stays the same very long, and no matter how gloomy the storm is passing over, the hope and promise of a better day is right around the corner.
 
Let this opportunity transform all aspects of our life.  There are many storms passing over us right now, but I am hopeful that as Americans, we will find new and innovative ways to navigate these cold days.  It is a time when planting our ideas and becoming good stewards of the earth is key to solving bigger world issues; truly a time of rebirth for our country as we painfully shed the old layers that are holding us down. 
 
It all starts at home in the details of your families choices.  So, let's pause and gather our ingenuity over a cup of tea and a slice of Jean's delicious Carrot Cake.  This alone can make all things seem right in the world.  Next, let's inventory our talents and see where these can serve us and others the best right now. This is where we can effect today and plant the seeds that are important to us.  Let's focus on the positive by choosing what is important to share in our home and on our block, where we can do something about the hardships we are seeing and feeling. 
 
The weight of bad news can drain our creativity and keep us from crafting the solutions we need for a stronger future.  So, I propose we take a few steps in the direction of creating our own news, by taking a few days off the media/news and have "a news fast".  Step outside and have conversations with our neighbors to see how everyone is doing.  Help someone who has lost a job and is in a panic, by brainstorming alternative ideas to moving forward (sometimes we simply need help); have a neighborhood meeting and organize green solutions to improve energy consumption and waste reduction (visit www.nwei.org for ideas); help a senior on a fixed income fix up their house or take over Jean's carrot cake; or discover what talents and hobbies you can market and start a small business of your own. Let's put our family and our community first this week and see what seeds we can plant.
 
I say we take some inspiration from the Miller family, featured in this issues ritual section, and simplify.  Unclutter our day, our minds, and our closets so we can see the real value of our choices and come together in community.  It is an exciting time if we can imagine what amazing flowers will bloom from these seeds we are planting.