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On Fear

Posted Jul 5, 2010 3:15 PM by Susan Barnes

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us most. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and famous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in all of us. And when we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

-- Used by Nelson Mandela in his 1994 inaugural speech
 
Last night I watched the first episode of the first season of Lost.  In it the main character - the handsome doctor describes being afraid during a spinal surgery.  He allowed himself to feel the fear while counting to 5 and then promised himself that he would let the fear go after the counting.  It worked. 
 
We are all afraid of something.  It may be something big, it may be something small.  To some it may seem insignificant and to others the sheer challenge of it may seem impossible to comprehend.  Take your fear, allow yourself to feel it, count to five now (1... 2... 3... 4... 5... ) and let it go.  Fear is the enemy and the longer you hold onto it, the longer it will control you.  Let it go and you will be able to accomplish anything.
 
I'm reading the 8th Habit of Highly Successful People by Steven Covey and in it he mentions that Einstein said imagination is better than knowledege. Knowledge is history, it's known and accounted for and imagination is vision, the unknown yet something worth looking forward to.  If you can imagine it, you can make it happen.  Stay on track.  Keep looking forward and leave that fear where it belongs, in the rear view mirror -- a speck soon to become invisible the further forward you go and that speck of fear will soon be forgotten.
 
What are you scared of?  What are you doing to let go of today?  Are you ready to count to 5?

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Why Are You Educated?

Posted Jul 5, 2010 3:11 PM by Susan Barnes

"You are educated. Your certification is in your degree. You may think of it as the ticket to the good life. Let me ask you to think of an alternative. Think of it as your ticket to change the world." -- Tom Brokaw

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Tea Ceremony Class

Posted Jul 4, 2010 3:49 PM by Susan Barnes

We're very pleased to announce the Tea Ceremony: Tea & Chocolate Pairing class happening on Thursday, July 29th.  The class will be taught by Winifred Chang of SHiMONEi and hosted by our friends Shaun and Dominik at Schoggi Swiss Chocolate on San Francisco's Yerba Buena Lane (near 5th Street @ Mission).

Come and learn the traditions of the Chinese tea ceremony and how it has evolved over time.  You will participate in pairings of luxuious Oolong tea with delicious swiss chocolate and come away feeling educated, uplifted and energized.

We're honored to partner with Winifred and SHiMONEi to offer this class.  Winifred says "SHiMONEi means appreciation" and she started her business in order to be able to say thank you to the world and give back to the community.  80% of the money raised from this class will benefit the WELL Network which is a women-led, nonpartisan, nonprofit membership organization concerned about the health of the environment and its connection to the health of our children and families.

In working with Winifred to prepare this class I know she is every bit as passionate about giving back as she is to her tea and I'm sure that you'll have a fantastic experience in her class.

Learn more here or watch the short video below for a quick overview of what to expect.

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Welcome Cariwyl Hebert to our Board of Directors

Posted Jun 16, 2010 2:56 AM by Susan Barnes

We are very pleased to announce that Cariwyl Hebert has joined the Classes for Causes Board of Directors.  Cariwyl is a seasoned grant writer and is in the midst of starting Salon97.org, which makes classical music accessible to the 97% of the population who don't yet "get" it.  I love the concept and am thrilled to have Cariwyl on our Board.  In addition to her grant writing experience, Cariwyl has produced a number of events and her event planning expertise will be a huge asset to the Classes for Causes team.

If you want to see Cariwyl in action, come to Salon 97 this Thursday (June 17th) at Citizen Space for an adventure into Summer-themed (classical) music.  There will be plenty of beverages and time to unwind while learning more about the wonders of classical music.

Summer-themed music!
@ Citizen Space in SF
on June 17, 6:45 p.m.

I'll be there, so come find me for an in person chat.  Hope to see you there!

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Wow!

Posted Jun 15, 2010 1:09 AM by Susan Barnes

Tonight I attended a Linchpin Meetup thoughtfully organized and hosted by Jay Bergers III in San Francisco and gave a 1 minute presentation about Classes for Causes.  Thanks to Kate who encouraged me to go and pushed me to do the mini-presentation.  There's something about having a time limit and talking to a bunch of strangers that is very different from teaching.  I think I was more nervous than I've been in a long time and that felt really good.

The event was well organized, fun, and most of all inspirational! Wow! There were so many people with wonderful ideas and people who really put the P in Passion!  What a way to kick off a week.

Thanks to everyone I talked with, including David Hood (a walking Robin Hood of connecting people to collaborate and do something good), the Tresa Eyres of the LoveLetterSquad who wants to give a workshop on Love Letter Writing with Classes for Causes (Doesn't that sounds amazing?), Mike who is interested in Astro Photography and Kelly Allen who is a budding artist with a small studio in the Mission soon to be a large live work space in SoMa!

For someone who works from home and has recently become somewhat a recluse in my "day job," this night out was just the kick in the a** I needed.  I can't wait to start the next chapter in Classes for Causes.

What inspires you?

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