Comments for Marianne Elliott http://marianne-elliott.com Zen-Peacekeeper. Change-maker. Fri, 03 Feb 2012 23:51:18 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Comment on A few good things (including at least one VERY good thing) by Tammy http://marianne-elliott.com/2012/01/a-few-good-things/comment-page-1/#comment-24595 Tammy Fri, 03 Feb 2012 23:51:18 +0000 http://marianne-elliott.com/?p=3026#comment-24595 OK, now that you have called me out for reading this instead of doing Yoga, I guess I will be closing the computer now and going to breathe (an activity not likely to end in a back injury) OK, now that you have called me out for reading this instead of doing Yoga, I guess I will be closing the computer now and going to breathe (an activity not likely to end in a back injury)

]]> Comment on A few good things (my weekly round-up) by Abbie http://marianne-elliott.com/2012/02/a-few-good-things-my-weekly-round-up/comment-page-1/#comment-24586 Abbie Fri, 03 Feb 2012 03:37:55 +0000 http://marianne-elliott.com/?p=3098#comment-24586 SO glad you and Jodi connected! I love her! :) SO glad you and Jodi connected! I love her! :)

]]> Comment on Child Sponsorships: Are they effective aid? by Francisco http://marianne-elliott.com/2010/05/child-sponsorships-are-they-effective-aid/comment-page-1/#comment-24538 Francisco Sun, 29 Jan 2012 03:01:36 +0000 http://marianne-elliott.com/?p=942#comment-24538 As someone who sponsors several children through ChildFund and Compassion International, I can't say that I'm the least bit put off by the lack of transparency. I realize that when I send them money, they will spend it as they deem fit and that my donation isn't earmarked in such a manner that ensures that my donation helps my sponsor child. My sponsor kids, do, however, tell me that they receive the birthday presents I send them (donations) while ChildFund and Compassion both tell me that anytime I send a Christmas gift, it goes into a pool to ensure that all children get something. I guess I'm halfway between your boyfriend and the person who sponsors kids and puts their picture on the refrigerator; I enjoy reading their letters, exchanging photos and gaining the perspective of their experience. Maybe my sponsor kids are just humoring me, but I get the sense they like hearing from me and getting my photos as well. For this reason, I can't really accept that child sponsorship purely addresses my needs. The human connection you discuss is actually important to many of us. Balanced transparency is needed; I obviously wouldn't support these organizations if I thought they were investing in small arms to support one tribe against another in the Horn of Africa. That said, my assumption is that my donation goes into their bank account and they cut checks according to the needs they have. Maybe the project in Medellin has some public funding support, so instead of giving all $32 to Braian, they siphon some of that to help build up the project in Chennai so the girls school will be built more quickly and Indumathi can start earlier than so be it. I'm sure some of the money is spent getting the word out, providing health insurance for employees and perhaps even village elders to support education for young girls. It is what it is...important work, important goals and it's not all to set to the tune of a Sara McLachlan song. As someone who sponsors several children through ChildFund and Compassion International, I can’t say that I’m the least bit put off by the lack of transparency. I realize that when I send them money, they will spend it as they deem fit and that my donation isn’t earmarked in such a manner that ensures that my donation helps my sponsor child. My sponsor kids, do, however, tell me that they receive the birthday presents I send them (donations) while ChildFund and Compassion both tell me that anytime I send a Christmas gift, it goes into a pool to ensure that all children get something.

I guess I’m halfway between your boyfriend and the person who sponsors kids and puts their picture on the refrigerator; I enjoy reading their letters, exchanging photos and gaining the perspective of their experience. Maybe my sponsor kids are just humoring me, but I get the sense they like hearing from me and getting my photos as well. For this reason, I can’t really accept that child sponsorship purely addresses my needs. The human connection you discuss is actually important to many of us.

Balanced transparency is needed; I obviously wouldn’t support these organizations if I thought they were investing in small arms to support one tribe against another in the Horn of Africa. That said, my assumption is that my donation goes into their bank account and they cut checks according to the needs they have. Maybe the project in Medellin has some public funding support, so instead of giving all $32 to Braian, they siphon some of that to help build up the project in Chennai so the girls school will be built more quickly and Indumathi can start earlier than so be it. I’m sure some of the money is spent getting the word out, providing health insurance for employees and perhaps even village elders to support education for young girls. It is what it is…important work, important goals and it’s not all to set to the tune of a Sara McLachlan song.

]]> Comment on Passion, practice and the water table of talent. by Joy http://marianne-elliott.com/2012/01/passion-practice-talent/comment-page-1/#comment-24502 Joy Tue, 24 Jan 2012 16:09:26 +0000 http://marianne-elliott.com/?p=3086#comment-24502 This: "The humility to accept that I won’t find the answers to all my questions. That simply finding the questions themselves is sometimes my practice" resonates strongly within. Thank you for the reflection:) This: “The humility to accept that I won’t find the answers to all my questions. That simply finding the questions themselves is sometimes my practice” resonates strongly within. Thank you for the reflection:)

]]> Comment on And, I’m back. With some New Year’s Desires. by Sera http://marianne-elliott.com/2012/01/im-back/comment-page-1/#comment-24494 Sera Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:31:36 +0000 http://marianne-elliott.com/?p=3002#comment-24494 Mmmmm. Resistance is such an amazing thing, isn't it? Back on Jan 16th I read this post and it moved me deeply to share my truth that calls out to me. And while I've been running around crazy planning a move (next week!) from Connecticut to Savannah,GA and saying bye to everyone in between... I still sense the pull of resistance to speak these words. But this morning I woke up and thought, "No more. First things first today." Coffee, oatmeal and a safe place. So for 2012, I chose a word, which I've never done before: 'BELONG'. It's been an amazing month in so many ways. I've found an amazing circle of inspiration online and continued to consciously build upon it. So many beautiful, soulful (mostly) women seeking to share their truth with others. Teachers, longing to learn and share their knowledge and deepest selves with others. I keep hearing a voice, "this is where you belong." Truth: I have a degree, a lot of debt because of it, and so much guilt surrounding it, that I've almost become paralyzed. 'Why is this calling so different from what I went to school for (Commercial Interior Design)? I can't change my focus AGAIN. It's time to stick to something for once.' OUCH. It's not that I feel I don't deserve it, I think I'm scared that I do. I think I'm scared to be wrong again. I feel that I belong among these 'teachers', these lovers-of-life, these soul-urging phenoms. I belong. A strong word for me. But I get anxious, Marianne, thinking of changing my course, abandoning my pursuit of this 'career' I naively spent fortunes on as a college student. Mmmmm. That's my truth. That's my silence that is screaming to be heard. Mmmmm. Resistance is such an amazing thing, isn’t it? Back on Jan 16th I read this post and it moved me deeply to share my truth that calls out to me. And while I’ve been running around crazy planning a move (next week!) from Connecticut to Savannah,GA and saying bye to everyone in between… I still sense the pull of resistance to speak these words.

But this morning I woke up and thought, “No more. First things first today.” Coffee, oatmeal and a safe place.

So for 2012, I chose a word, which I’ve never done before: ‘BELONG’. It’s been an amazing month in so many ways.

I’ve found an amazing circle of inspiration online and continued to consciously build upon it. So many beautiful, soulful (mostly) women seeking to share their truth with others. Teachers, longing to learn and share their knowledge and deepest selves with others. I keep hearing a voice, “this is where you belong.”

Truth: I have a degree, a lot of debt because of it, and so much guilt surrounding it, that I’ve almost become paralyzed.
‘Why is this calling so different from what I went to school for (Commercial Interior Design)? I can’t change my focus AGAIN. It’s time to stick to something for once.’

OUCH. It’s not that I feel I don’t deserve it, I think I’m scared that I do. I think I’m scared to be wrong again. I feel that I belong among these ‘teachers’, these lovers-of-life, these soul-urging phenoms.

I belong. A strong word for me. But I get anxious, Marianne, thinking of changing my course, abandoning my pursuit of this ‘career’ I naively spent fortunes on as a college student.

Mmmmm. That’s my truth. That’s my silence that is screaming to be heard.

]]> Comment on Why your passion is not enough. by megg http://marianne-elliott.com/2012/01/why-your-passion-is-not-enough/comment-page-1/#comment-24476 megg Sun, 22 Jan 2012 13:17:51 +0000 http://marianne-elliott.com/?p=3020#comment-24476 Oh Marianne, I loved this. Loved. it. Thank you. x Oh Marianne, I loved this. Loved. it.

Thank you.

x

]]> Comment on A few good things (including at least one VERY good thing) by Lubna http://marianne-elliott.com/2012/01/a-few-good-things/comment-page-1/#comment-24468 Lubna Sun, 22 Jan 2012 06:29:31 +0000 http://marianne-elliott.com/?p=3026#comment-24468 WoW, the book is out. Guess what, a friend coming down to India, this summer, from Australia (seems it will soon be available there in Brisbane, she inquired) will get it for me. I can't wait to read it. All the very best with the book. Many, many people will be inspired with your story. WoW, the book is out. Guess what, a friend coming down to India, this summer, from Australia (seems it will soon be available there in Brisbane, she inquired) will get it for me. I can’t wait to read it. All the very best with the book. Many, many people will be inspired with your story.

]]> Comment on A few good things (including at least one VERY good thing) by Christina http://marianne-elliott.com/2012/01/a-few-good-things/comment-page-1/#comment-24451 Christina Fri, 20 Jan 2012 19:49:26 +0000 http://marianne-elliott.com/?p=3026#comment-24451 Marianne! Will there be a Kindle version? curious! hugs, Christina Marianne!

Will there be a Kindle version?

curious!

hugs,
Christina

]]> Comment on A few good things (including at least one VERY good thing) by Roxanne http://marianne-elliott.com/2012/01/a-few-good-things/comment-page-1/#comment-24444 Roxanne Fri, 20 Jan 2012 07:46:47 +0000 http://marianne-elliott.com/?p=3026#comment-24444 So happy for you, Marianne. Come to Darfur and bring yoga with you -- I'll be waiting with arms wide open (and deep breaths!) So happy for you, Marianne. Come to Darfur and bring yoga with you — I’ll be waiting with arms wide open (and deep breaths!)

]]> Comment on A few good things (including at least one VERY good thing) by Kristin Noelle http://marianne-elliott.com/2012/01/a-few-good-things/comment-page-1/#comment-24440 Kristin Noelle Fri, 20 Jan 2012 04:34:51 +0000 http://marianne-elliott.com/?p=3026#comment-24440 Loud cheers from California on your book!!! So, so happy to see this day come!! Loud cheers from California on your book!!! So, so happy to see this day come!!

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