Namaste is both a physical gesture, and a spoken spiritual salutation.
It is a recognition of the divine spirit or soul in another by the divine spirit in you.
NAMASTE dear friends. Twelve of us got together to discuss Little Princes by Conor Grennan. And so many actually READ THE BOOK -- BRAVO!!! It's so much easier to discuss when everyone has read it, so thank you ladies.
There were so many things to talk about. After revealing how "the book found me", and what the various definitions of "Namaste" are, we heard the "singing tibetan bowls". We remembered Verghese's Cutting For Stone, and his statement "Geography is Destiny". And so it is... we are so blessed to be American women living in this country.
Most of us did not think we would ever really make it to Nepal -- third world, bathroom, shower issues! But we all agreed the book was inspiring us to do more for those less fortunate who are around us. However hokey it sounds, when you give of yourself, you get more in return. Robin A. has donated her time in a soup kitchen in her town, Suffern. It was eye opening for her to see the tremendous need in her own "wealthy suburban" community. Maria P. mentioned she's always wanted to donate her time in a nursing home. Miggy's church has actively built homes for the desperately needy in Dominican Republic.
We spoke of Nepalese culture and the country, and exotic places we've traveled to. Millie had a scary experience in Costa Rica. There are many incidences and examples of "spoiled American children". To compensate for the overabundance of toys, some kids give away a gift each time they get a new one. Some children are so jaded from the accumulation of stuff, and more stuff-- has the idea of gift giving lost its true meaning? I am so rewarded by my own K-ESL students, and their visits to Northern Riverview Assisted Living, where the children sing, and play Bingo with the Seniors.
Ladies, may we all continue to support and inspire each other. The lesson of the book for me, is that it's never too little, or too late. Follow your hearts! We can all give of ourselves, close to home, or far away- you are all amazing women -- just make up your mind, AND DO IT!
बे bलेषेd ("Be Blessed" in Sanskrit)
-- we raised $150 for Next Generation Nepal!
Namaste--
(I honor the place in you -
which is of love, of truth, of light, and of peace.)
XXOO-
Robin
