Guess What’s Hiding…

On very rare occasions, I see or read something that so precisely encapsulates the enormity of the challenges that our human species has placed upon ourselves and our planet. The message that is presented will creatively cut through the complexity with such simplicity that it almost takes my breath away. This is one of those rare moments.

Thanks to a special P’lovers customer, Tracey McCannell, for sending this brilliant presentation to me.

Before you click…
The presentation is a 4.7 Mb Microsoft Powerpoint file that may take a few moments to download (depending on the speed of your Internet connection). If your computer already has Powerpoint installed, the presentation is set up to run in full-screen, slide show mode and should fire up automatically. Advance to the next slide by hitting the “enter” button or space bar. Exit the presentation by hitting the “Esc” button. If you have presentation software other than Powerpoint, it may still run. (I can view it on my ASUS eeepc running OpenOffice for Linux.) When prompted, save the file to your computer, open your presentation software and look for the file.

Now click here to Guess What’s Hiding…

Enjoy!
-Steve

wow: what a book!

I came into P’lovers this morning and a new book caught my eye as I walked through the store. I immediately knew I had to find a quiet moment to peruse this new addition to our book shelves.

It is awesome! I feel inspired, energized and emotional after reading only a portion of the essays inside these pages. You will surely find yourself touched deeply by some of these stories and will feel compelled to share other of the collection of essays with people in your life who will benefit by the words. I am left thinking, “How can I give back?”

The book is filled with 86 political, human rights and liberties, homelessness, well-being, justice, environmental and youth related stories. Each written by individuals, some names you will recognize and others you will want to know.

The stories are engaging and empowering, some brought tears to my eyes and others outrage to my heart,  all of them carry a strong message in a powerful way, messages that we all need to hear.

Within these pages you will also find lists of where to go for more information about any of the issues that especially touched your soul along with options of how you can get involved personally.

“You heal yourself by giving what you need most” writes Eve Ensler, one of the contributors to the anthology.

This is a book that is suitable for all ages, genders and mind sets. It will open the mind and the heart while educating the reader. Read it all at once or in little installments, follow the pages from beginning to end or dance around and read what fits on any given day. Surprise yourself and open the book with your eyes closed and read the page in front of you to open your heart.

I must end here as I am anxious to get back to AWEARNESS, Inspiring Stories About How To Make a Difference.

-Jude

From the Publisher

Faced with global issues such as poverty, genocide, and climate change, it’s easy to feel powerless. We want to do good and change the world, but too often feel paralyzed by the fear that individuals can’t make significant impact. Awearness: Inspiring Stories About How to Make a Difference is a wake-up call-a call to action, to volunteerism, and to each and every person’s unique ability to help build a better world.

Edited by longtime advocate and designer Kenneth Cole, Awearness is an engaging, informative, and empowering collection of eighty-six stories and conversations by ninety individuals, some well-known and others less so, who have been inspired to do their part to effect meaningful social change. These notable advocates, activists, and social entrepreneurs share the causes they are passionate about and give advice on what each of us can do to positively impact our communities and those of others two continents away.

From economist Jeffrey Sachs’s belief that ending extreme poverty is within our grasp; to Elton John’s unconventional fund-raising efforts on behalf of AIDS research; to three young filmmakers whose innovative campaign moved 80,000 people to take to the streets on behalf of children affected by war, these personal journeys illustrate the power of the individual to motivate change.

Christmas Prize Draw Update

This morning Jude and I drew three more winners for our P’lovers Christmas Prize Draw with Ocala Winery.  Since we kicked off the draw on November 20th, almost 120 people have entered to win bottles of local wine from Ocala.

Congratulations to the following winners:

• Bonnie Forman
• Carol McGavin
• Christine Sinyard
• Michelle Bjorgon
• Sarah Powell

We will be doing another draw each of the three remaining Mondays before Christmas, so there is still lots of time to pop into P’lovers and enter to win some great wine!

Also, congratulations to Nicola Brown — winner of a terrific gift basket courtesy of our friends at Soap Works in Toronto.

-Steve