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Are you, like me, devastated by what is happening in other parts of the world? It can be overwhelming at times to see and/or hear the tragic scenes and the violence reported by the media. Even if one doesn’t read the newspaper, listen to the radio or watch TV, they cannot miss what is going on: everybody talks about it! The earthquake here… the water problems there… the wars here… the outbreak of a disease there…

The two questions I ask myself are:

“How can I make a difference?”
and
“Where do I start?”

 

You see, what devastates me the most is not so much the events themselves… but it is to witness how easy it is for the more fortunate to distract themselves from the very wars that are going on in their own hearts, their own homes… Sure, we can travel across oceans to go ‘help’ or send all of the money in the world towards ‘x’ cause… yet

if we cannot offer and keep love in our own homes,
with our spouse and children, and with the members
of our communities, at work, at school…
ARE WE TRULY HELPING and MAKING A DIFFERENCE?

 

But of course, we are too arrogant to see this reality, so asleep in fact, that we spend our ‘waking time’ focusing on the wars else where. It is indeed easier to focus on the wars in Afghanistan, to go ‘fix’ what is wrong in the third world countries: after all, these poor people… they don’t have homes, they don’t have the convenience of drinking water without walking miles and miles, AIDS is killing many, a hurricane destroyed everything… Today, of course, the earthquake of Haiti is the main topic of the news (and many businesses). A new reason for us to forget how fragile and shaky WE are, right?

Yes, it’s easier to go ‘fix’ the problems of others out there… We are so blind! We will support a cause to help the blindness in third world countries, but we won’t see what’s going on in our own hearts. Oh, but giving of our time and money makes us feel so much better, less guilty… so it’s ok, right? It is easy to get trapped in masking some of the ‘wars’, ‘earthquakes’ and/or the ‘blindness’ that are going on right here, in our own hearts…

And I’m certainly not saying that we shouldn’t be
compassionate and lend a hand
to our brothers and sisters!

Though truth remains our reality: peace and love cannot be obtained on a global level until it is deeply part of who we are and our everyday life. People who understand that they are love… produce love and peace – around them, within them. And this is a profound way to prevent chaos in and around us – to MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

 

Can you imagine what our world would be like…
if we would all start to
help each other RIGHT HERE – RIGHT NOW?

… if we were to spend a day helping someone with a project they’ve been struggling with?
… if we were to invite a friend over for a meal because we know he/she is struggling to make ends meet?
… if we were to offer a ride to someone who doesn’t have a car?
… if we were to spend some time with someone who is ill?
… if we were to invite someone for a walk because we know that they are not very motivated to go out and get some fresh air on their own?
… if we were to offer a listening ear to a friend who just needs to talk or ‘vent’?
… if we were to help a friend find a job?
… if we were to pray for each other daily?

 

This is what this week’s practice is about. This week, in addition to the financial support you plan to offer towards good causes, I would like to invite you to offer acts of service to people around you: right in your home, at work, at the grocery store…

I would like to invite you to make a difference HERE and NOW.

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• MAKING THIS PRACTICE A PART OF ‘YOUR’ LIFE:

This week, in addition to the time I give to ‘x’ organization and/or the financial support I plan to offer “X” cause, I am committing to make a difference HERE and NOW:

 

I will reach out and help someone in my family or community, either by:

- YOUR act(s) of service here:
…
…

!!! THERE IS A CATCH WITH THIS PRACTICE:
HINT – HINT: DO NOT forget to help YOU! (self care… gentleness… good rest… do things you love… surround yourself with loving people… etc.)

One of my mentors inspired me with the idea to invite you to share how you are going to honour this practice this week. Take a moment and share what act of service you did or are committed to do on our Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/thelovearmy?ref=profile

 

YOU ARE NOT ALONE:
We are doing it – we are living it – and WE’RE HERE TO SUPPORT YOU!
Use our Radio Talkshow for additional support: www.blogtalkradio.com/thelovearmy

 

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WANT TO RECEIVE THE WEEKLY PURPOSEFUL PRACTICES?

Click here to subscribe to our Newsletter. You will then be part of our circle of friends who committed to this new ‘way of life’.

Our next Radio Talkshow:

Tuesday, Jan. 26th, 2010 from 5:30 to 6pm (MTN time)
Join us on air by calling (347) 215-8883

or click here to listen in: “PURPOSEFUL LOVE – Going Heart-Coeur”
NOTE: all talkshows are recorded and available for one month!

HAVE FUN with this practice!
We love you,
Stéphanie and Doug

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PS: Click here to receive last week’s Purposeful Practice
PPS: Remember to keep applying all practices. The ‘weekly’ practice is not something we just do during that one week… it is a LIFESTYLE
PPPS: you are welcome to leave a comment below, a question or an idea in regards to this practice: