It's the journey stupid ......
Or better said -- as my Yoga instructor Pratchi puts it -- it really is about the voyage and not the destination. A word or two on Prachi -- it's been my pleasure to have known her for over 2 years during which time she has consistently given herself to countless volunteer activities and good deeds for her friends communiity and the world in general. A remarkable woman who is far and away the most accomplished and soulful yoga practitioner I have encountered. Thanks Prachi!!
Please note on the photo to the above -- the destination is your head on the Yoga mat. I seem to be the only one who is completely incapable of getting even close to the mat!!! So I think the whole Journey / Destination shtick is for the non- yoga folk who refuse to quit even though (like me) they are less flexible than a flag pole. You see it keeps them coming back.
Recently I had a real doozy of a back injury -- and having had (so far) a life of remarkable health and reasonable physical aptitude / ability to engage in most activities, it was shocking and depressing. I was limited in almost everything in my life and in pain constantly......and for weeks on end. The pain excruciating at times bringing tears from both frustration and pain. I'd gasp at times as the searing pain ripped through my body straight to my brain screaming "HEY YOU !!!! immediately stop whatever the fuck you are doing!!!! That really sucks when at the moment you are doing something you love.
This is a shout out to all - and forgive my presupposition that we are all getting older. Without looking after our bodies -- later lives will be significantly and immeasurably less fun than the early years. Yoga is a wonderful journey... may I see you on it!!!!
No good deed goes undone... or does it?
How the fuck does one go to work for a humanitarian organization and then take advantage of the very people you purport or commit to be helping? Oxfam (the UK based humanitarian organization) deserves everything they are getting. From the pathetic whining from Executive Director Winnie Byanyima to the caustic and inexcusable comments of CEO Mark Goldring complaining that outrage expressed is a disproportionate response to what they have done. Did he actually say -- "it's not murdered babies in their cots".??????
My gosh Mr. Goldring, how naive! What your organization has done is brought the world's focus -- those who support humanitarian efforts -- and pay for it -- sharply and pointedly to the incompetence of your organization. And in doing so, put all humanitarian organization's funding in jeopardy. At the core of humanitarian service is the notion that you show up to do good. If not -- then just stay home.
I do hope this is wake-up call for the thousands of humanitarian organizations around the globe to do better -- and ensure that the HR systems are tested, the people vetted and the race to get as big as fast as possible balanced with doing good work first.The humanitarian community is deeply embarrassed by these revelations and I hope change is coming to Oxfam and all NGO's that have the same exposure due to weak poorly developed internal administrative systems.
#4 -Do no evil.
