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Social issues

International Women’s Day 2014

March 8, 2014 by Patricia Sands

iwd_long

Every year a powerful theme drives the goals for the year of the International Women’s Day.

2014 Theme: INSPIRING CHANGE

From the IWD Home Page ~”Women’s equality has made positive gains but the world is still unequal. International Women’s Day celebrates the social, political and economic achievements of women while focusing world attention on areas requiring further action.

Inspiring Change is the 2014 theme for our internationalwomensday.com global hub and encourages advocacy for women’s advancement everywhere in every way. It calls for challenging the status quo for women’s equality and vigilance inspiring positive change.”

canstockphoto14491720-2

The 3 C’s of life : We have to choose to take a chance before change will happen.

Special days are held to draw particular attention to a cause. Whether the cause is gender based or against bullying and war or for peace or love, to name just a few, caring about these issues should be a part of our daily life.  Change is also a part of our daily life, often unexpected. The more we have the courage to make choices and embrace change, the more we will inspire others to do the same.

Some of the women I want to celebrate today are fine examples of ones who have inspired change in each other through five decades. They represent honest, non-judgemental friendship that is always there to listen, to guide, to question, and to pick you up when you stumble so you can stand tall and try again. Celebrate those women in your life ~ give them a call and tell them how you feel.

My real-life Bridge Club-PSandsPhotos
My real-life Bridge Club-PSandsPhotos

And now, a shout-out to all those who raise their voices against violence and work to inspire change for women and girls all over the world. If you don’t know about the global catalyst V-day, you should. Get involved! Share the message and inspire others to do the same.

Click this link to watch a short video that explains the importance of V-Day. It is definitely worth your time! Then inspire others by passing it along.

Within the writing community recently, women (and some men) participated in the Beauty of A Woman Blogfest, now an annual event hosted by the effervescent August McLaughlin. Click on the link to read the inspirational quotes she thoughtfully took the time to compile!

In my post for the BOAW Blogfest this year, there’s a video about the ERA and the fact it still has not been ratified in the United States! Whaaaa? I know! That’s what I said too. Now there’s a change that is long overdue. Raise your voices and make it happen! Click here to see the video. It’s inspiring!

I will end this post as I did last year with a link to Evelyn Hannon’s wonderful Journeywoman.com website where she is once again hosting a photo exhibit of women around the world. The photography has been sent in by bloggers and travellers and it is simply  … yes …  inspiring!

Go forth and inspire change in large ways and small. We can do it! Examine the possibilities in life that exist for each and every one of us.

You know what I like to say, every opportunity I get:225391156320705857_f4fpjwu6_c

Filed Under: Blog, Social issues Tagged With: Beauty of a Woman Blogfest, change, inspire, international women's day 2014, possibilitarian, The Bridge Club, Women

BEAUTY OF A WOMAN 2014~Hear us ROAR!

February 25, 2014 by Patricia Sands

It’s that time of year again! The fabulous August McLaughlin, had an idea three years ago that continues to blossom … just like a woman! It’s the Beauty of a Woman BlogFest. Everyone who joins in the celebration, blogs on the same day about aspects of beauty we women share. All the links are on August’s blog so click here to get right on over and check them out. The more explicit #Girl Boner edition is featured first and the original version for posts like mine begins Feb. 27th.Closeup decorative grunge vintage woman with beautiful long hair In 2012, I mused about how it feels to be getting older and the joys of being a grandparent. Let’s face it, you have to be old to get there! Last year I shared a treasured book, She Walks In Beauty, and Lord Byron’s exquisite poem. When I considered how I would celebrate this year’s theme, a very familiar song kept playing in my mind. I had turned 30 the year this hit the charts and, as Bob Dylan sang, “the times they were a-changing”. They had been for a decade. So let me take you back to 1975. (I know, I know … a lot of you weren’t even born then!) helen-sizedThe United Nations had declared it to be InternationaL Women’s Year (IWY)  with Helen Reddy‘s song, I Am Woman, as the theme. This was an empowering time for women with Gloria Steinem, Betty Frieden and other groundbreakers leading the way. Women’s liberation was a hot topic as feminists spoke out, demonstrated and lobbied governments. In the United States, the focus was on the success of the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment, state by state. It’s hard to believe that to this very day it still has not been ratified!  Visit this site for the complete history and advice as to how you can add your voice to this cause. Take a minute to watch this video clip. Let me know if you realized this was the situation. I didn’t know! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxHLnQZLq20 Unbelievable. Every year since 1975, March 8th has been recognized as International Women’s Day. Have you marked it on your calendar? I’ll wait while you do … no worries … I hope you will take a stand for the ERA on that day. Let’s continue to show what a beautiful anthem can be heard when women raise their voices as one! And now,  get your disco clothes out of that storage box, call up your BFFs, and celebrate the beauty of women everywhere! Make it loud! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUBnxqEVKlk As I researched what I wanted to share in this post, I came across this interview and helen-reddy-picture_612x817… to be honest … it caused me to wipe a few tears and then cheer. I discovered that today, at age 73, Helen Reddy continues to exemplify the beauty of a woman. Please take seven minutes and 14 seconds to watch this video. I have a feeling you will see what I mean and agree. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CP-Zb5HoPjM It’s what we’re talking about. Choose to be yourself and be proud of your choice! Erm … update … I had lunch with my friend Evelyn Hannon today (she’s the fabulousJourneywoman and you should subscribe to her newsletter … okay, that’s another story )… anyway, she told me that coincidentally she had also been talking about I Am Woman and someone told her Helen was performing in Las Vegas this month! I just checked it out and sure enough … see here. I guess they made her an offer she couldn’t refuse and she decided to take a break from her quiet life, after all. Choices, people, that’s what it’s all about! Here are the lyrics, in case you get the urge to sing along! The meaning is every bit as strong today as it was 40 years ago. I Am Woman I am woman, hear me roar In numbers too big to ignore And I know too much to go back an’ pretend ’cause I’ve heard it all before And I’ve been down there on the floor No one’s ever gonna keep me down again CHORUS Oh yes I am wise But it’s wisdom born of pain Yes, I’ve paid the price But look how much I gained If I have to, I can do anything I am strong (strong) I am invincible (invincible) I am woman You can bend but never break me ’cause it only serves to make me More determined to achieve my final goal And I come back even stronger Not a novice any longer ’cause you’ve deepened the conviction in my soul CHORUS I am woman watch me grow See me standing toe to toe As I spread my lovin’ arms across the land But I’m still an embryo With a long long way to go Until I make my brother understand Oh yes I am wise But it’s wisdom born of pain Yes, I’ve paid the price But look how much I gained If I have to I can face anything I am strong (strong) I am invincible (invincible) I am woman Oh, I am woman I am invincible I am strong FADE I am woman I am invincible I am strong I am woman Transcribed by Robin Hood with help from Maid Marian -Artist: Helen Reddy from “Helen Reddy’s Greatest Hits”: EMI ST 11467 -peak Billboard position # 1 for 1 week in 1972 -Words and Music by Helen Reddy and Ray Burton These lyrics were transcribed from the specific recording mentioned above and do not necessarily correspond with lyrics from other recordings, sheet music, songbooks or lyrics printed on album jackets. ROAR!!!! Now hop on over to August’s blog and feast on the other posts!

Filed Under: Blog, Social issues Tagged With: Australia, beauty, Beauty of a Woman Blogfest, Helen Reddy, I Am Woman, International Women's Day, Patricia Sands, The Bridge Club, The Promise of Provence, Women

Love, love, love …

February 14, 2014 by Patricia Sands

If it’s Friday, it must be France …

Happy Valentine’s Day ~ Bonne Saint Valentin!

PSandsPhotos
PSandsPhotos

Enjoy sharing the love with those special someones in your life … today, and every day. How better to sound romantic than to whisper sweet nothings in French? My friend and favourite language instructor, Ida Young-Bondi has all the words you need to know for La Saint Valentin in this love-filled video. Click right here to take a couple of minutes to join her and perfect your accent!

After the hearts and flowers sentiments of today, when we are in France, February in Nice means one thing to me ~ Carnaval! Time to get your party on!

From February 14 to March 4 this year, the streets of Nice will come alive, day and affiche_2014night, with parades of brightly coloured floats, spectacular floral creations, street events with entertainment provided by over 1000 dancers and musicians from all over the world … oh, and blizzards of silly string and confetti!

This year’s featured reigning monarch is the King of Gastronomy.  That can only be very good news!

One of the oldest carnivals in the world; it is said to have pagan beginnings in the thirteenth century.

The word ‘carnival’ apparently comes from carne levare or away with meat. This was the last chance to enjoy all the rich food before Lent when people would fast for forty days. The masks worn at the carnival offered the chance for people to disguise themselves from the forbidden pleasures by the Catholic Church. Needless to say, the philosophy has changed through the centuries!

For all the information you would ever want to know about this joyful celebration, take a few minutes to visit TheGoodLifeFrance where Margo Lestz has the best article on Carnaval de Nice. If you haven’t already done so, bookmark that site to read fabulous posts about life in France!

While I’m on the subject of love, I want to share this with you … honestly, I can’t stop talking about it … and you can imagine the tower of tissues I accumulated watching it play out. Read on …

One of the aspects I love most about the Olympic Games is the sharing of inspiring stories. None of these athletes arrived where they are without hard work, motivation, support and love for their chosen sport.

In Vancouver 2010, Alex Bilodeau won gold for Canada in mogul skiing. This week he accomplished the same feat in fine style in Sochi. He is a superb athlete. More importantly, we also learned in 2010 what a fine person he is and what a loving and exemplary family he has. We were reminded again this week. Please read this, share it and take it to your heart.

Photo from Yahoo Sports
Photo from Yahoo Sports

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Filed Under: Blog, Social issues Tagged With: 2014 Olympic Games, Alex Bilodeau, Carnaval de Nice, France, Frederic Bilodeau, Ida Young-Bondi, La Saint Valentin, Nice, Nice Carnival, Patricia Sands, Sochi

Spreading good news …

January 15, 2014 by Patricia Sands

In a world where good news seems to be at a premium in the headlines, it only takes a little searching to discover there is plenty out there. Let’s share it! canstockphoto8136400

Please take a minute to watch this video about a story that filled my heart for more reasons than one. I first heard about it through CNN’s New Day.

How many kids do you know who could be doing this?

What a thoughtful response this parent had to his son’s excessive Christmas list! From the simple desire of a parent to offer his son a different perspective, a group of teenage friends along with some adult support took a small idea and grew it into an active, ongoing undertaking that feeds homeless people every week. The BurritoBoyz have morphed into Hunger2Help which now also hands out clothing, books and other items.

Encouraging service to our communities and a desire to help make our world a better place, should begin at home. These young people are shining examples of what can be done.

Please pass this along to others who might take a good idea like this and run with it.

b0c397c332a33c59f36446a5da8070bfKudos to the BurritoBoys of San Diego and their families and friends who make this happen week in and week out!

If you have similar stories to share, send them along!

Filed Under: Blog, Social issues

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