haiku by Basho Matsuo
Wherever you once settle down, you will find it new home.
And the Moon is as beautiful as you would see from your home town. On March 11, 2011 a tsunami devastated Japan but not its resolve and spirit.Remembering together we can make a difference. Wrapping our arms around hope. Thank you Naoko for sharing with us your lovely artwork above, THINKING OF HOME. Thank you, Ken (as pictured above), for receiving our wishes and cranes for Japan. OUR WISHES FOR ALL WHO HAVE BEEN THROUGH DISASTERS and TRAUMA:LOVE, LIGHT, and H ๏Pモ. May you always know you are in our prayers. May your courage and strength be the light in the night that brings you a new day when all that has been destroyed be remade. May the uncertainties, the losses, and the hardships never hold you down. May you always remember you are not alone. -Mia- VIDEO ABOVE: Japanese children singing and dancing at Fukushima OperationSAFE, a day camp for children who have been through disasters to help them recover from trauma. PHOTO BELOW: Our treasure box of wishes and cranes—love, light, and hope for Japan. A special thanks to Ken Crane for coordinating the delivery of our treasure box to Mr. Kumagaya of Sunflower NPO who volunteered to deliver it to the shelters of Kesenuma in Japan in May 2011.
OUT OF THE DARKNESS from beneath the stormy skies, a New England photographer Donald Verger barely escaped the EF-5 tornado that devastated Joplin, Missouri last year in May. From that harrowing experience, he turned to peace and hope and started The Joplin Art Project, wanting to reach out to the people of Joplin. He created a series of 25,000 postcards featuring inspiring images (shown below in the photo slide). He sent them to the tornado survivors in Joplin, believing in the healing powers of art and caring. | "I do know that there is kind of a gentle power in art and there is a healing power in people caring. I suspect that by offering something to a young person in Joplin or a grandmother in Joplin, people know that there are people in the world thinking about them." -Donald Verger | |
Join us with Don and be part of the hope and help for Joplin: As we remember the children and families of Joplin, we keep our thoughts and prayers with the families who have suffered the recent storms tearing across the states, from the gulf coast to the great lakes. May your strength and courage be the light in the night that brings you a new day—when all that has been destroyed be remade. Many thanks to Don, for sharing his photographs with us, for showing us the gentle power in art and the healing power in people caring. -Mia *For more on Don, continue reading below. For readers receiving this post via email, please click here (then scroll to the middle of the post) to view the photo slide of Don's Peace & Hope postcards. *
DONALD VERGER is a critically-acclaimed, award-winning photographer and Founder and President Emeritus of the world-renowned Children's Discovery Museums and Science Discovery Museum in New England. His visionary work at these discovery museums was featured in two episodes of the PBS television series "Curious George." He has served on numerous boards including Chairperson of UNICEF's New England Advisory Board, along with members Ted Kennedy and Arnold Hiatt, as well as the board of directors for Wheelock College and the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. All of Verger's philanthropic work benefits families and children.A member of Society for East End Arts in Portland, Maine, Donald Verger's photography has earned him numerous awards and accolades including: Fryeburg Fair Best in Show 2008, Bangor Flower Show First Prize 2008, and Fort Williams Art Show First Prize 2008. In March of 2010, Verger debuted his 2011 Naturescapes Calendar Series featuring his most cherished and sought after images worldwide. This inaugural, limited edition calendar series celebrates twelve months of nature's glory, from sunrise at Acadia National Park, to the intimate elegance of a single rose. Verger was born in Brooklyn, New York and resides in Falmouth, Maine, just footsteps from the ocean, where he captures the early moments of nature's true splendor. *For Don's full bio, click here. Connect with Don on Twitter, Facebook, and his blog. * *A top story in Anita's Finding Inspiration Daily and The Becoming Daily. February and March 2012. *
COMING TOGETHER. We carry our best wishes and dreams in our hearts and out into the world. We are growing.
At the end of the year and sharing with you below a wish, hope, and growth: an email and a story I recently received from my Japanese friends, Ken Crane, and his wife, Yumi Crane. It was Ken and Yumi who received our treasure box of wishes and cranes for Japan after the tsunami hit their homeland on March 11, 2011. Today continuing on the journeys of hope and into the New Year, a message from Ken and Yumi: | _Dear Mia,
Year 2011 was quite a terrible year here in Japan.
But whatever the situation is, people has to move on forward. For me, year 2011 made me convince this fact. People just can't act all the way through like a victim, because all of us has a free will to choose where we are heading.
When I was in teenage, I didn't understand why John Lennon was singing "~we have grown," because when I was younger I thought that people would stop growing when we are about 20. Now, I know that we are always growing, and we are forever growing.
Based on this thought, recently I wrote a short story Caterpillar.
I would like to share this story as a message for this Christmas.
We wish you a Happy Christmas without any fear,
Ken Crane & Yumi Crane | |
_OUT OF THE DARKNESS AND INTO THE LIGHT. Remembering our strengths and hopes. We embrace and release our fears. Thank you, Ken and Yumi, for being here with us and sharing your story and light. And to you, my readers, I wish you a wonderful New Year. May it be filled with magic and dreams come true. Thanks so much for being part of our journeys. Aspiring and inspiring. We hope to see you again next week here at the blog on January 2, 2012 when we announce the winner of In The Circle Of Joy (raffle ~ giveaway). If you are reading this on December 26, 2011, there's still time to post a comment, tweet, follow, and like to enter the raffle, which ends at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Standard Time on December 27, 2011. Until next time when we reconnect, please meet Ken below with best-selling author Paulo Coelho. Ken also shares with us an excerpt from his story, Caterpillar. -Mia P.S. I hadn't planned on posting at the blog in December, but when I received Ken's email, I wanted to share his story of growth and hope with you. Enjoy and happy holidays. Thank you, Ken and Yumi. ✶ PHOTO ABOVE: Yumi and Ken Crane. ✶ ✶ ILLUSTRATIONS ABOVE: Butterflies by Ken Crane, an illustrator, graphic artist, writer, and musician. He is also the illustrator for best-selling author Paulo Coelho's stories and posts at Paulo's blog. Ken's portfolio includes illustrations for magazine covers (Forbes, Japan Times, Newsweek, Vogue, and Wired), rock concert posters, artwork for the theatre, films, and animations for television shows. ✶  Ken Crane and Paulo Coelho. _✶ FROM PAULO COELHO, MAY 12, 2011: Writing creates images in the reader's mind. So, when someone tells you "I can make an illustration of your work", normally I politely decline. Till one day ... that I met Ken Crane in Twitter. Ken proposed to illustrate some posts in my blog and after having a look at his illustrations, I told to myself: "That's the person!" From this moment on, we started to collaborate together, pro bono, only for the sake of sharing our ideas with other people. Also, from this moment on, people started not only commenting the text, but also the illustrations. I hope that, by the end of 2011, we will have enough material to publish an illustrated book. I am proud to have Ken by my side, and I am one of his most fervent admirers. [read more from Paulo on Ken and on writing creating images] ✶
__✶ AN EXCERPT FROM THE CATERPILLAR by KEN CRANE: "I am all the material of this universe. And you are an existence to choose what to do with those material. The Sun has chosen to shine by collecting the gas floating in space. The Earth has chosen to rotate around the sun using the sun's gravity. Terrestrial plants on Earth has chosen to bloom flowers using the energy of the sun. And that is what is called creation and evolution. And I am this process itself. You must choose what to do and what to be using this process. Once you have chosen what to be with your will, you will be able to experience the miracle ...Don't you want to see a miracle?" [continue reading the story of the Caterpillar at Ken's blog] ✶
Moving forward amid the shadows.Through the earthquake and tsunami of last month in Japan. We wrap our arms around hope. May Japan's strength and courage be the light in the night that brings her a new day when all that has been destroyed be remade. With hope in our hearts. A new journey begins. Our treasure box of wishes and cranes are on its way to Japan. Thank you so much. Cảm ơn bạn rất nhiều. Arigatou-gozaimasu.For all your wishes for Japan. ❤ Mia, Naoko, and Ken ❤UPDATE: The Treasure Box of Wishes and Cranes arrived in Japan on April 30, 2011. Mr. Kumagaya, volunteering to build a bath for the children of Kisenuma, has also volunteered to take our Treasure Box there. Thank you, Ken, for making the JOURNEYS OF HOPE a possible one. I am full of gratitude to you and Japan. Thank you for showing us the way. -Mia- Join us again on the JOURNEYS OF HOPE. More stories to come as we move forward together. Today. Tomorrow. As one.
Hope. Light. Love. The colors of life.The wishes and tweets were rolled, one by one, bound with a brown paper strand. Nestled with the cranes inside the treasure box. I closed the lid and in a moment of lightness and the sun coming through my living room windows, I said a prayer for Japan. With another breath, I extended my wishes and prayers to the ones around the world facing uncertainties, loss, and despair. I imagined--saw all our wishes, good thoughts, best intentions, taking flight. Our brighter days depended on them. I wrapped the ribbons around the treasure box, folded at the center two golden, silver bows. On a spring afternoon, I felt the power of hope and wishes coming true. I chose to believe.-MiaToday. Tomorrow. Together. Give the gift of hope, light, and love with friends and families of Japan: American Red Cross ๏ Doctors Without Borders ๏ Global Giving ๏ Japan Earthquake Relief Fund ๏ Naoko Stoop's Help Japan Project ๏ OperationSafe ๏ Faith and Courage. Next week on April 25, 2011, we send our treasure box of wishes and cranes (shown and wrapped below) to Japan. Join us here and see the treasures fly on the JOURNEYS OF HOPE.
We lift our voices above the sorrows of the earth. W e recite a poem by Father's favorite poet, Man Giac: Spring arrives, and a hundred flowers follow; Spring returns with another hundred blooms. My eyes watch the passing seasons; My hair grays with the years. But this spring not all the flowers faded. Last night, a plum blossomed near my door.-from a moment in CLOUDS, a chapter in MORNING SUN by Mia. Thinking of Japan. We wrap our arms around hope.❤ from Naoko Stoop, March 21, 2011:
Thank you for letting me be a part of this wonderful H๏Pモ post.
I am grateful that many people have responded to me through my
HELP JAPAN PROJECT. Earthquake will calm down soon in Japan,
but it will be a long effort to rebuild the country. It's very little one can do,
but I believe every little bit will become a big hope together.❤ from Ken Crane, April 4, 2011: Thank you very much everybody, for supporting my country!! Love & Peace, KenMia, I will like to say to you a great thanks for supporting Japan.
I always feel we are not alone on this planet when I hear or read a message like you say and write. -in an email from KenSpring arrives.With the touch and kiss of hope. A hundred flowers bloom. PHOTOS ABOVE: Spring Blossoms and Spring Essence, by Mia.
Last week Sunday I visited HG at his home. I stood before him with the treasure box (as shown above) in my hands. "Do you want to see what's inside?" I said. HG came closer, drawn to the silver and gold, the glitter that twinkled on top.I opened the box. HG's face brightened with a smile. Nestled inside were four colorful, paper cranes. A rainbow of blue, yellow, pink, orange, red, and green. He caressed the beak of the crane closest to him. "Do you know where we are sending this treasure box?"He shook his head. "To Japan."  "Japan?" he said, excited about going to a new place and telling his friends at pre-K. "We're also putting wishes inside the box." HG raised his eyes in a wonder."And you will get to pick four names, who will each receive a special print created by Naoko Stoop. She's a Japanese artist. Would you like to pick four names later?"HG nodded. He touched another crane, careful not to crush the wings. I searched for the right words to explain the recent tragic events. Words that would not lie but also not leave a mark of helplessness. I bent down, meeting him face-to-face. I said, "There was a big earthquake in Japan and many things were lost, even children's homes like the one you have here. We are sending wishes to show them that we care and are praying for them." That evening at the dining table, after dinner had been eaten, I spread a small confetti of yellow rectangles in front of HG. His parents smiled. "Are you ready?" I said.HG's face bloomed with joy. He reached over and picked a rectangle, then another until four were placed in my palm: Michael Douglas Jones, Dr. Pooja Tripathi, Anita Bondi, and Katie_9999. "Can I pick more?" HG said. "Sure," I said. "That's a good idea. In case the first four are unable to accept the gift." When all the names had been selected, I asked HG if he had a wish for Japan. "That I love them," HG said. "Yes."
 ❤ Thank you, readers, for all your wishes of light, love, and hope for Japan. For joining us here and wrapping your arms around hope. So many ways to help: American Red Cross ๏ Doctors Without Borders ๏ Global Giving ๏ Japan Earthquake Relief Fund ๏ Naoko Stoop's Help Japan Project ๏ OperationSafe ๏ Faith and Courage. Thank you for making the Journey of Hope a possible one. For the donations, large and small. It all helps as we move forward. Together. A special thanks goes out to Ken Crane for receiving our treasure box of wishes and cranes for the children of Japan, and to Naoko Stoop for donating portions of her proceeds to the American Red Cross. Thank youfor showing the way with H๏Pモ.May Japan's strength and courage be the light in the night that brings her a new day when all that has been destroyed be remade. In this moment for Japan, SUMMER by Joe Hisaishi. Let's play it live, lift our hearts together with a song. To the grace and courage of Japan ❤ -Mia
✶ A top story in Anita's Finding Inspiration Daily and other online papers. Featured at Keithpp's Blog. April 2011. ✶
KIND & GENEROUS❤ This one is for you. A song by Natalie Merchant in concert (above). Thank you for all your wishes, for WRAPPING YOUR ARMS AROUND H๏Pモ for Japan. Join us next week when we share with you the names of four randomly selected readers and tweeters receiving THINKING OF HOME from Naoko Stoop's HELP JAPAN PROJECT. Each tweet and wish of H ๏Pモ for Japan will be placed inside a treasure box and sent to Ken Crane, who will deliver it to the shelters at Kesennuma, Japan. Thank you for your friendship, kindness, and generosity, for the love, light, and hope in building a new day. May the uncertainties, the losses, and the hardships never hold Japan down. May they always remember they are not alone. We wrap our arms around Hope. ❤ Mia, Naoko, and Ken
KIND & GENEROUS
By Natalie Merchant in concert (above). For you.
You've been so kind and generous
I don't know how you keep on giving
For your kindness I'm in debt to you
For your selflessness, my admiration
And for everything you've done
You know I'm bound ...
I'm bound to thank you for it
You've been so kind and generous
I don't know how you keep on giving
For your kindness I'm in debt to you
And I never could have come this far without you
So for everything you've done
You know I'm bound ...
I'm bound to thank you for it
I want to thank you
For so many gifts
You gave with love and tenderness
I want to thank you
I want to thank you
For your generosity
The love and the honesty
That you gave me
I want to thank you
Show my gratitude
My love and my respect for you
I want to thank you
I want to ...
Thank you
Thank you
Thank you
Thank you
Thank you
Thank you
✶ A top story in Anita's Finding Inspiration Daily and other online papers. March, April 2011. ✶
We can make a difference. Together. ƒ๏ℓℓ๏ω hope with friends and families of Japan. So many ways to help: American Red Cross ๏ Doctors Without Borders ๏ Global Giving ๏ Japan Benefit Concert (Yoko Ono, Sean Lennon, Sonic Youth ...) ๏ Japan Earthquake Relief Fund ๏ Naoko Stoop's Help Japan Project ๏ Faith and Courage.Moving forward amid the shadows. Through the earthquake and tsunami. We wrap our arms around H๏Pモ. This week MAKE A WISH F๏R JAPAN. For each wish you share with us in the comments section here, it will be placed inside a treasure box with a string of cranes for Japan. A wish may also be delivered to our mailbox here.On March 27, 2011 HG, author of the Love Story, will draw four wishes from the treasure box. The randomly selected readers and tweeters expressing a wish for Japan will receive Thinking of Home from Naoko Stoop's Help Japan Project. My gift to you, my wish to do what I can. In April your treasure box of wishes will be sent to my friend, Ken Crane, who lives in Tokyo. Our gift and symbol of hope for Japan. If you would like to send more than a wish, please contact me here. Let's build a new day.
We will rise with the sun. Today. Tomorrow. Together. As one.
Thank you for being here.-Mia IF YOU FOLD A THOUSAND CRANES,what would be the wish of your heart?
The whisper that stirs you awake in the morning,
in the evening,
and makes your spirit soar?
If we fold a thousand cranes,
together
you and I ...
imagine the colors of the light in the skies.
If we fold a thousand cranes,
it has been written and said:
a wish is coming true.❤ by Mia and inspired by Hammock's Breathturn and H๏Pモ ❤As translated by Ken Crane:千羽鶴を折る その時の君の心の願いは？
それは朝夕に君に語りかけ、
魂を目覚めさせる囁きなのだろうか？
共に
千羽の鶴を折れば
君と私で・・・・
共に空の色を思い描いてみよう
共に千羽の鶴を折れば
それは既に書かれている
願いは叶うThank you Ken @Ken_Crane, Naoko @NaokosStoop, Katie @Katie_9999, Jennifer @SacredCake, Esta @SheConsulting, Henry @HF, and Terri @terrinakamura for the tweets you sent to me and the DMs and RTs that helped bring life to this post. Thank you, Tet, for your email. ƒ๏ℓℓ๏ω hope with friends and families of Japan: American Red Cross ๏ Doctors Without Borders ๏ Global Giving ๏ Japan Benefit Concert (Yoko Ono, Sean Lennon, Sonic Youth ...) ๏ Japan Earthquake Relief Fund ๏ Naoko Stoop's Help Japan Project ๏ Faith and Courage. PHOTOS ABOVE: Sun rising over a lake and Naoko Stoop's Kingyo and Thinking of Home.
If you fold a thousand cranes,what would be the wish of your heart?The whisper that stirs you awake in the morning,in the evening,and makes your spirit soar?If we fold a thousand cranes,together you and I ...imagine the colors of the light in the skies.If we fold a thousand cranes,it has been written and said:a wish is coming true.-by Mia T. Starr and inspired by Hammock's Breathturn PHOTO ABOVE: A suspended moment from Hammock's Breathturn, as featured below in their music video. A beautiful six minutes and one second to treasure. ✶ A top story in Anita's Finding Inspiration Daily and other online papers. 2011. ✶
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