by beCause CEO Nadine Hack – I am struck by the wisdom of these deceptively simple words by Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel who linked arms with Dr Martin Luther King Jr in the historic 1965 US civil rights march from Selma, Alabama. They resonate profoundly for me personally and socially. Six beloved members of my family died in just the last two months, reminding me again to be grateful for every moment as they each are sacred and we never know how many more we have. For the same reason, I support people throughout the world who yearn “just to be” and “just to live” with greater freedom, dignity and security. From efforts to end Stand Your Ground / Shoot First laws in the US, to the aspirations of Ukrainians to live in a more democratic society, to the One Billion Rising movement to end violence against women globally. Please share what is important to you in comments below where you can include links to your work.
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February 24, 2014, 4:05 pm
Living, loving, serenity and gratitude are valued by me. Love you Nadine Hack! xoxo
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February 25, 2014, 11:49 am
Sherry – living, loving, serenity & gratitude: amen! Love you too, xo
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February 25, 2014, 11:49 am
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February 24, 2014, 4:09 pm
Wholeheartedly agree with you Nadine that empowering people to just be is the most awesome and wondrous. My aspirations are to live in a state of grace in which I facilitate that within others enabling them to be all that they can be. Manifesting our full potential is the greatest that any of us can hope for and if achieved the results are just awe-inspiring.
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February 24, 2014, 4:50 pm
Georgina – what a wonderful aspiration! And I know from your posts on social networks that you are “walking the talk” every day!
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February 25, 2014, 12:07 pm
Thank you for your kind words Nadine. Fortunately for those of us early in our journey there are inspiring lights who have walked the path long before us. Thank you for all that you have done in the world in helping people to just be. The greatest work that this world can offer is for us to give our gift of helping others. Enabling people to see that it is ‘being’ without judgement, without fear and without intolerance is the only way to live and that grace can become a certainty not just a dream.
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February 25, 2014, 2:12 pm
Georgina – Amen to knowing grace is real and always present!
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February 25, 2014, 2:12 pm
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February 25, 2014, 12:07 pm
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February 24, 2014, 4:50 pm
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February 25, 2014, 2:46 am
Thank you, Nadine for supporting “people throughout the world who yearn ‘just to be’ and ‘just to live’ with greater freedom, dignity and security. ” We at Rubia strive for dignity for women and girls in Afghanistan and refugee women from Africa, Asia, and the Middle East who have resettled in Manchester New Hampshire. They gain dignity and strength through work, art, self-expression, and their connection to other women. https://www.facebook.com/RubiaInc
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February 25, 2014, 7:57 am
Catherine – your work at Rubia in promoting the rights of women and their personal development is truly wonderful. I hope others check out not just your Facebook page but also your website http://www.rubiahandwork.org/ to see how you are weaving “threads of change.”
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February 25, 2014, 7:57 am
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February 25, 2014, 11:45 am
Thanks Nadine, just your headline “Just to be is a blessing; just to live is holy” reminds us all of what really matters…
…often in normal “office days” or home office days… These thoughts fall behind as you struggle doing / finding whatever…Let us try to do at least one “good” thing per day..if possible in a sustainable direction.
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February 25, 2014, 11:48 am
Carl – I agree wholeheartedly! It is so easy during the “normal” days to forget about what’s really important and to get dragged down into stressing about other things. Yes, let’s remind ourselves daily and strive for sustainable good acts.
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February 25, 2014, 11:48 am
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February 25, 2014, 1:27 pm
Nadine,
These are lovely sentiments.
I feel for you and what you’ve gone through with so much loss.
Know you are surrounded by people who love and care about you and join you in the ways you want to be and the ways in which you will change the world for the better.-
February 25, 2014, 2:14 pm
Heather – indeed, I have been surrounded by a wonderful circle of loving family and friends for whom I am deeply grateful!
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February 25, 2014, 2:14 pm
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February 25, 2014, 4:03 pm
Yes, I sway from optimism to the depths of depression about humanity. One day we’ll have put suffering behind us. I hope it is soon Nadine. It is our duty to do everything in our power to make other people’s journeys as good as they possibly can be, sometimes in difficult circumstances.
Peter
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February 26, 2014, 9:46 am
Peter – I too sway but the only way I keep myself going is to remember that even helping one human being is a sacred act.
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February 26, 2014, 9:46 am
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February 25, 2014, 6:19 pm
Thanks Nadine for reminding me how precious a gift is life. Working with so many children and families at Afrika Tikkun always reminds me how grateful we should be for what we have, as our benefiiciaries always manage a smile and a kind word even though they are often struggling to make ends meet.
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February 26, 2014, 9:29 am
Diana – your work in South Africa is extremely inspiring and, as you write, the people of SA – despite overwhelming challenges – are the real inspiration!
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February 26, 2014, 9:29 am
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February 25, 2014, 7:05 pm
I’m hoping that we manage to put the issue of violence towards women behind us in my lifetime Nadine. In our ‘civilisation’ we seem to have forgotten some of the fundamentals. It’s a mistake to make progress if it covers up the basics of humanity.
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February 26, 2014, 9:47 am
Peter – all I can say is ”amen!”
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February 26, 2014, 9:47 am
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February 26, 2014, 2:15 am
I’m so touched by this piece, Nadine, thank you for sharing it and know how sorry I am for your losses.
My very best,
Jone-
February 26, 2014, 9:31 am
Jone – thank you for your kind words and I’m glad my thoughts touched you.
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February 26, 2014, 9:31 am
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February 26, 2014, 6:21 am
Nadine, sorry to hear of the losses in your family. My thoughts are with you, and I will keep you and your family in my prayers. I wholeheartedly agree with your thoughts and place much dependence in personal and spiritual strength and honor. I reflect on the story of the Lamed Vav Tzadikim. I know they are out there and we should take heart. Wishing you good health and continued success.
Bob Cerasoli-
February 26, 2014, 9:34 am
Robert – I have always been moved by the notion that the world is kept going as long as there are 36 righteous people (Lamed Vav Tzadikim) who move the heart of God to be patient with human beings despite all the bad things many of them do. I feel profoundly blessed to have met many who I believe are part of that force for goodness that keeps our world going!
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February 26, 2014, 9:34 am
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February 26, 2014, 8:28 am
such a lovely one!… you dont know how much you touch our heart.
We would love to see more inspiration blogs from you
Keep it up and more power!-
February 26, 2014, 9:35 am
Marien – I am humbled that I’ve touched your heart. More power to you too!
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February 26, 2014, 9:35 am
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February 26, 2014, 11:37 am
Dear Nadine:
Just want to say I appreciate and love you.
I was sitting in a cab today, putting on my seat belt, and I remember the time you, Sekai and I were in a cab going to see Bernice and Toshi Reagon do Spirituals at Joe’s Pub.
I have always treasured our friendship; I continue to. Keep on keeping on.
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February 26, 2014, 12:39 pm
my dear sister/friend Farai – I remember that evening like it was yesterday! Our special friendship is a treasure to me too so, even though we have an ocean separating us now, let’s stay closely in touch, xo
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February 26, 2014, 12:39 pm
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February 26, 2014, 4:58 pm
Thanks for your thoughtful post, Nadine. I’m sorry for the recent losses in your family. Your words serve as a great reminder that we have limited time on this earth, and we should value that time and learn how to live everyday with a purpose and spend those days with our loved ones.
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February 27, 2014, 9:26 am
Kathleen – yes, daily purposeful living and expressing love to those we care about can transform our lives totally!
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February 27, 2014, 9:26 am
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February 27, 2014, 5:15 am
Very sorry to hear about your family losses.
I agree, gratitude for having been born should be a default position for all of us; even more for those of us lucky enough to have been born into a high degree of freedom.
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February 27, 2014, 9:28 am
Ravi – even if we were born into families that tried to stunt our growth, the amazing gift of life is that we always can grow and transform. Remembering this can make us grateful to be alive even when we don’t understand why we had to endure pain in our families of birth.
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February 27, 2014, 9:28 am
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March 1, 2014, 2:27 am
NADINE: Six gone; how terrible! But not lost. I’m sure you have memories of them to treasure. Distill the best into living memory that further inspires, informs and helps to guide your life and work.
Your loss reminds me of my own family losses of years past — 2 of three unforgettable sisters.
And so, a toast: L’Chaim — To Life. PETER
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March 7, 2014, 8:35 am
Peter – L’Chaim, Santé, 乾杯 (Gay-bay), Salud, 乾杯 (Kam-pie), Sláinte, Prost, Cin Cin, Na zdravi, Chok dee, Sei gesund, الحياة الطيبة, and the many other ways people around the world say Cheers To Life!
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March 7, 2014, 8:35 am
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March 6, 2014, 5:49 pm
Nadine,
I’m so sorry for your losses of the past couple of months. What a horrible time period to get through. I wish you the peace that you have worked so hard to bring others. From my own loss experiences, we have built http://www.lightafterloss.com to help get through the hassles after losing a loved one and http://www.lightpathahead.com to try and get EVERYONE to give their families information, certainty, and security following a death. All feedback welcome, and I hope there is something helpful there for you.Peace,
MarthaBest,
Martha Blue-
March 7, 2014, 8:28 am
Martha – thank you for these wonderful resources of Light After Loss and Light The Path Ahead that I’m sure will be of great value to many!
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March 7, 2014, 8:28 am
