Isabel Designs

Peace

I would like to invite you to learn about “The Charter of Compassion”. This idea was conceived by author Karen Armstrong. She was the winner of the TED Prize in 2008 for her unparalleled expertise and wisdom regarding the three theistic faiths: Islam, Judaism, and Christianity, and their impact on the world today.

“The Charter will proclaim a principle embraced by every faith, and by every moral code. It is often referred to as The Golden Rule.”

On November 12th, 2009, the Charter of Compassion will be unveiled, unleashing a week of celebratory activities around the world – in places of religious worship, public spaces, schools, universities and workplaces. We are all invited to participate and spread the word. This could quite possibly be the greatest accomplishment of our generation, and we can be part of it.

“Compassion manifests itself in the world not by thinking but by doing.”

Let’s do something!

Sorting the pieces

Some day’s life really does resemble a box of moving parts. When the lid is removed, the pieces look like they should come together to create the finished-product of your dreams, if only you had more time. But if you’re like most people, it’s a struggle to find enough hours in the day to study the instruction manual, let alone sort the pieces.

I love spending time with my sister. Last time we were together she happened to be working on a 500-piece puzzle. She set up a card table in the living room, emptied out the box, and sorted the pieces into nice neat piles according to colour and texture of the picture on the box. By the time I pulled a chair up to the table, she had the perimeter done, and was working on the interior. Each newly placed piece felt like a small victory, and as the evening went on, it was clear we were on a quest for complete and utter triumph. A few hours later, we high-fived and called it a night, satisfied and proud of our puzzle making skills.

I love looking for lessons and meaning in the activities I do, and certainly there’s one here for me. I think it’s this: I need to believe my many small efforts will yield the results I’m hoping for. I like to be organized. I need confidence and steadfastness. Sometimes it just seems like I’m spinning my wheels – or that I’m just moving pieces around. My hope is that at the end of the day I’ll be that much closer to realizing my dreams.