hope

best vegetarian restaurant in London

mildreds

Mildreds internationally inspired vegetarian food in London is a must for vegetarians and vegans and all who love good, clean, healthy food.

45 Lexington Street, London... it's frequently busy, so expect to wait.

We found this great restaurant and many other vegetarian friendlies using the iphone app VegOut. This app is definitely worth the $2.99 price tag.

a Saturday in London

Tens of thousands of mostly peaceful protestors crowded central London on Saturday to protest government cuts to public services. Britons are bracing for deep cuts even after the government has already raised sales tax.

Spray paint, paint bombs, and smashed windows seemed to be the worst of it...
I, however, used post-it notes :)

happy virus

I caught the happy virus last night

When I was out singing beneath the stars.

It's remarkably contagious--

So kiss me.

- Hafiz

it could mean something...

Invitation

by Mary Oliver

Oh do you have time

to linger

for just a little while

out of your busy

and very important day

for the goldfinches

that have gathered

in a field of thistles

for a musical battle,

to see who can sing

the highest note,

or the lowest,

or the most expressive of mirth,

or the most tender?

Their strong, blunt beaks

drink the air

as they strive

melodiously

not for your sake

and not for mine

and not for the sake of winning

but for sheer delight and gratitude—

believe us, they say,

it is a serious thing

just to be alive

on this fresh morning

in the broken world.

I beg of you,

do not walk by

without pausing

to attend to this

rather ridiculous performance.

It could mean something.

It could mean everything.

It could be what Rilke meant, when he wrote:

You must change your life.

midway

Chris Jordan is amazing... in case you didn't already know.
Check out his must, must-see film, MIDWAY

You might remember his TED talk, or his photo series "Running the Number: An American Self-Portrait".

give yourself a standing ovation...

Sometimes when you do the right thing, don't you silently give yourself a hand?

already emerged

We look at our children as they grow and wonder, 

"What will they be when they grow up?" 

rather than pondering, "Who are they now?".

We wait for them to emerge... but they already have emerged. 

They are themselves... already.

Don't anticipate who they will be; explore who they are now.

Pay attention to the "now"... as much as, if not more then... the "future"

inspired from: what I wish for you, by patti digh

la boqueria de barcelona

I'm grateful for happy, colorful, beautiful memories...

"Colorful world, people all around

filled with voluptuous sound

one silver line in grey cloud

filled the mind and heart with joy profound."

paper cranes for Japan

Students Rebuild along with dosomething.org have launched, Paper Cranes for Japan, a campaign to help the people of Japan.

Get a group of friends together and host a paper-crane party... or what about your school, or your book club, or your church...
For every paper crane received, the Bezos Family Foundation will donate $2 to Architecture for Humanity in support of the Japanese rebuilding efforts. Paper Cranes for Japan would like to reach 100,000 cranes for a total donation of $200,000.
Fold, upload a picture, and mail your cranes to:

Students Rebuild
1700 7th Avenue
Ste. 116 #145
Seattle, WA 98101

email Students Rebuild at info@studentsrebuild.org for a pre-paid mailing label for boxes of 50 cranes or more.

Why paper cranes?
An ancient Japanese legend promises that anyone who folds a thousand origami cranes will be granted a wish, such as recovery from injury.
A thousand paper cranes strung together has become a symbol of world peace.

"And remember, no matter where you go, there you are."
- Confucius

carry some of the burden

Last May I watched the Dalai Lama on the Today Show. What has stuck with me since watching that interview was that he said, "We carry the burden of other's suffering." I went back to find it again.

Watching the devastation in Japan through all the different media outlets, I know we share the burden. My heart hurts with the weight of the suffering... if you've imagined being in the tsunami, if you've thought of your children being ripped away from you by the force of the tsunami, if you watched that lone dog standing guard over his injured friend... then the suffering must also be shared by you.

We give our prayers, our money, our lit candles, and our thoughts. We share the suffering through compassion... and hope that it lightens the load.

I have immense gratitude for this moment... and really that's all we each really only have...
today.

for Japan with love

Devastating reports from Japan have called us all to action. 

Consider giving a donation HERE

Or have you seen this cool Help Japan poster?

 Proceeds from the sale will go to the Red Cross.

people of Japan

This morning on the way to school, the kids and I were talking about the tragedies in Japan.

"The people in Japan are really smart." my son commented. "Don't the people in Japan make our Wii? ...and our Playstation and our Nintendo DS and Pokemon ... and our T.V.?"
"Didn't they invent the Prius?" my daughter added.
"Yes." I answered.
"They've given us a lot. We should do something for them." the kids said.

They headed into school; V grabbed her teacher and said, "Can we take some time today to brain storm about how we can help the people of Japan?"
"Great idea!" her teacher said. "Let's start with that this morning." ... and off they went into the classroom.

I do love that school :)
           .... and my thoughtful, compassionate children.

text JAPAN to 50555 to donate $10 to Global Giving
text Redcross to 90999 to donate $10 to the Red Cross

catch us unaware

Great moments often catch us unaware 
- beautifully wrapped in what others

may consider a small moment. 

~ Kent Nerburn

prayers for Japan...

Better than a thousand hollow words, is one word that brings peace.
-Buddha

I'm the same religion as you

In his response to the question, "What religion/ethnicity are you?" ... Salmon Khan of the Khan Academy wrote:

"If you believe in trying to make the best of the finite number of years we have on this planet (while not making  it any worse for anyone else), if you think pride and self-righteousness are the cause of most conflict and negativity, and are humbled by the vastness and mystery of the Universe, then I'm the same religion as you."

like a shadow...

"All that we are is the result of what we have thought. If a man speaks or

acts with an evil thought, pain follows him. If a man speaks or acts with a

pure thought, happiness follows him, like a shadow that never leaves him."

-Buddha

Barcelona Street Art

My Favorite

My first sighting of Space Invader!

Michael Moore

Have you seen Michael Moore in Madison, Wisconsin?
If not, watch it here:


I know it's controversial to say, but I have always loved Michael Moore and his passion.
Listen to him interviewed by Marianne Williamson, and you'll be a fan too :)

Ads Worth Spreading

Ted.com 's 10 winners of their first Ads Worth Spreading competition.
These are ads that tell a story, make an authentic human connection, and become unforgettable.
Ahhhh... the pleasure of intelligent engagement :)





... and a very honorable mention:

the series of events...

"At times the world can seem an unfriendly and sinister place, but believe us when we say there is much more good in it than bad. All you have to do is look hard enough. And what might seem to be a series of unfortunate events, may, in fact, be the first steps of a journey." - Lemony Snicket

paper & glue

Can art change the world?

Coca-Cola Happiness Truck

Salman Khan

Have you checked out the Khan Academy yet?
Sal Kahn is creating huge change in education. Through grassroots open education... anyone can learn... almost anything!

"Learn math the way you learn anything, the way you learn to ride a bicycle. Fall off that bicycle and get back on. We encourage you to fall, we encourage failure, but we do expect mastery." ~ Salman Khan

mindfulness...

... and the desire to transcend aimlessness.
Enslaved by routine? Sometimes a well placed note can make all the difference.

Drawing Inspiration from Wesley Louis on Vimeo.