Cynthia Pittmann, PhD is a writer based in Puerto Rico who motivates people to write and live a creative connected life through sharing her own stories, poems, and photography.
"The meaning of life is not to find your gift, the purpose of life is to give it away." ~Pablo Picasso
I recently saw the latest film on Amelia Earhart... her compelling spirit and life are inspirational. I need that kind of strength for the day to day challenges of life.
Have you seen the film? Hillary Swank seems to embody the character and infuse her with life.
I noticed some omitted aspects of Earhart's life and ponder the decision to leave them out. I read that she had a serious sinus condition that had to be operated on three times. (Antibiotics were not yet discovered.) She sometimes had a drainage tube that was tapped on her face. Also, she had a gap between her front teeth. I read that her husband/promoter advised her to not smile in her up close professional photographs. Why do we need our heroes(heroines?) to be so flawless- and in Earhart's case- so healthy? (The movie left out the illness she experienced in her final flight.) It motivates me more when I see that she overcame her own personal challenges. (image and biography- http://www.ellensplace.net/ae_lflt.html) I also wonder if the movie romance details were accurate. I could not find any evidence that she was in an open type marriage- as the film portrayed. I frequently read that she and her husband were devoted to each other. (She has another love interest in the film.) I wonder if this contemporary detail was added to make her seem more independent? Regardless of the fudging of facts, after viewing the film, I find that I am inspired to be courageous and face my own fears.
On September 2007, The International Day of Peace, my daughter, Amber and a group of high school teens (spearheaded by Rafa in the photo) organized a free hugs campaign in the Old City (Old San Juan, Puerto Rico). They carried signs and smiles and offered hugs to people arriving to Puerto Rico from cruise ships, tourists and bemused, muddled and confused locals. As the activity caught on, people began to understand the gesture of goodwill and many began to accept "Free Hugs." (An article featuring the story was written by Libni Sanjurjo Melendez in Primera Hora on Sabado 22 de Septiembre de 2007; Jovenes conmemoran el Dia Internacional de la Paz Regalan abrazos en Viejo San Juan, Panorama 22) The teens were questioned by police and after much discussion and delay were allowed to continue.
I am so proud of these teens and my daughter for understanding love and showing the way to sometimes hesitant adults. Everyone needs a hug!
I applaud all people who recognize the power of affection and appreciation!
Hug a Tree! Hug a Puppy ! Hug a Friend!
Hug a Blogger!
The Hug (Tess Gallagher) A woman is reading a poem on the street and another woman stops to listen. We stop too, with our arms around each other. The poem is being read and listened to out here in the open. Behind us no one is entering or leaving the houses.
Suddenly a hug comes over me and I'm giving it to you like a variable star shooting light off to make itself comfortable, then subsiding. I finish but keep on holding you . A man walks up to us and we know he hasn't come out of nowhere, but if he could he would have. He looks homeless because of how he needs. "Can I have one of those?" he asks you, and I feel you nod. I'm surprised, surprised you don't tell him how it is-that I'm yours, only... ~~~
In the spirit of sharing peace, I give you Abundant Hugs
~~~
Linda Socha from Psyche Connections has honored Oasis with the affirming Sisterhood Award for giving her "laughter, learning, and perspective." Please go visit her blog and enjoy her peppy and touching posts. Open hearted Natalie of Musings of the Deep has also shared this Sisterhood Award with me and to top that off, she also shared the Friendship Award with me! Such a community of warm and intelligent friends in this blog world.
I would like to share the Sisterhood Award with these bloggers who share love, laughter and insight...
If I missed you, please accept a long hug of apology and take the award you deserve!
You are a living story. Become aware of the stories you tell about yourself and your world. Participate consciously in the writing of the next chapter of your life.
Deepak Chopra and David Simon (The Seven Spiritual Laws of Yoga) ~~~
Also, Thank you Bill Austin the Best Blog of the Day Award! (March 5, 2009). If you would like to nominate a friend's blog or your own, click on the Sharing Blog Love link on the Oasis sidebar under the award.
~~~
On Accepting Your Sisterhood or Friendship Award...
Here's how award process works:
1. Put the logo on your blog or post. 2. Nominate at least 5 blogs. 3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post. 4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog. 5. Share the love and link this post to the person from whom you received your award.
Thank you readers for your courage to share with me the difficult stories of your life. This Free Owl in Nature painting is offered to you for braving your own "dark night of the soul." May we all be supported in our efforts to liberate ourselves from all that limits and keeps us from having the life we deserve.
