sadness in the south

unless you've been living under a rock or out of touch with the media, i know you too must be filled with a sense of sadness surrounding what transpired last week in the gulf coast. i fluctuate between being attached to CNN to denial about the true catastrophic state of the south. it's almost too much to bear. having grown up in oklahoma, i was in my last year of college when timothy mcveigh bombed the federal murray building, and vividly recall the complete shock surrounding the horrific act on what the media coined "terror in the heartland." then i moved to dc in 1996, and in 2001, september 11 happened - a date that no american will ever forget. and somehow i equate the horrors and images of katrina with the great sense of helplessness and despair felt by so many of us who witnessed the okc boming and september 11 attack. these are such different events and, yet, so similar. it is touching to see so many americans reaching out to assist others but it is also so sickening to see such unnecessary suffering.

what can we do from our comfortable, air conditioned homes to assist those in need? depending on resources, donations to the red cross, feed the children, humane society, habitat for humanity are encouraged. did you know that a $100 donation to salvation army will feed a family of four for two days, provide two cases of drinking water and one household clean-up kit, containing brooms, mops, buckets, and cleaning supplies? some airlines are even allowing you to donate miles to help refugees and refugee assistance travel.

if these resources are not readily accessible to you, how about offering to volunteer locally to assist those in need or to put together a benefit with some of your fave friends where you raise money to donate as a group? there are numerous creative ways to help nurture and support fellow human beings (and their pets, too!) who you haven't met. take a moment this week to count your blessings, dedicate your practice as an offering of strength to the survivors, and offer what you can to support those suffering.

finally, save the date: friday, september 16 from 9-10:30pm tranquil space is offering a heart opening benefit class. please join us as we strive to bring some tranquility through our efforts to those along the gulf coast.