Die Before You Die

I had the good fortune this week to attend a benefit lunch and auction for the Jean Houston Foundation, which supports Social Artistry around the world.

After a superb meal prepared and served by the staff at Blue Greek, a restaurant I recommend to anyone who visits Ashland, Oregon, the highlight of the day was Jean's forty-minute talk about ancient Greece.

Jean Houston is a time traveler, a psychic, celestial guide to the past and the world next to this one. With Jean as our leader and storyteller, we let go of our anxieties and obstacles and journeyed through 1,500 years of Greek history. The point? It was no pleasure cruise, though the going was delightful and delicious in every way.

Jean, as she does better than anyone, was calling us to action, to arms if you will. She charged us to wake up to and develop our highest selves, and to be active in the world. She calls this Social Artistry, and practitioners are active in places like Nepal, Zambia, and Oakland, California, supporting women, children at risk, and underserved communities that need help.

Everywhere you turn, there is work that needs to be done if we're to survive on this planet. Embrace social artistry. Find out what you can do and do it. This life is precious. Don't leave anything on the table. Plumb the depths of your being and emerge confident and capable. Your models, colleagues, and allies are all around you.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Poet Jane Hirshfield has available a Kindle Single called "The Heart of Haiku" for only 99 cents. It's wonderful listening to one of our most beloved poets guide us through the magical world of Haiku. Treat yourself to a listen and see why this has quickly become Number One in Poetry at Amazon.com.