:Title: DAILY APPRECIATIONS -- who or what do you appreciate? :Author: ~Diane T.~ (CCAL30) :Date: Sun, 28 Jan 2007 22:22:19 PST :Modified: Fri, 07 Sep 2007 06:36:57 PDT :URL: http://www.omidyar.net/group/appreciation/news/3/ We would like to appreciate Dr. Elizabeth Garcia-Gray for suggesting this name for this dedicated area for appreciations within the Appreciation Project. One goal of this project is to inspire you to post one or two daily appreciations for yourself and others to enjoy. We have learned a lot and have taken many suggestions regarding this project. We invite people to show their appreciations. We want to provide a gentle, cushiony, warm-hearted space, a space where people are appreciated and respected, not deprecated. Please mention who or what you are appreciating, one appreciation per comment below. Thank you for your contributions of positive energy to our community! As of Sept. 7, 2007, there are over 2,613 appreciations posted on over 105 pages for you to enjoy. These appreciations have been viewed by more than 22,820 times by more than 150 members. To see page 105, after you click page 10, then click "Next Page." Then you will see more page numbers including the one at the end. Scroll down on the last page to share your gift of appreciation in the comment box. Thank you very much for your contributions to the success of the first chapter of this project at Omidyar.net. Appreciation = Power (like generating electric power) We all have so much to be grateful for, and we’re looking for ways to facilitate the expression of that gratitude. Not only do we feel good when we express appreciation, we also help others by completing the circle of loving energy. When many people share at this energy level of love and joy, the healing effect is very powerful and beneficial on other viewers and on the energy in a community. The book, "The Hidden Messages in Water" by Masaru Emoto introduces the revolutionary work of internationally renowned Japanese scientist Masaru Emoto, who has discovered that molecules of water are affected by our thoughts, words and feelings. Since humans and the earth are composed mostly of water, his message is one of personal health, global environmental renewal, and a practical plan for peace that starts with each one of us. In his book you can see actual photos of the effect of words. John Diamond, M.D. (in his book, "Life Energy") and Dr. David R. Hawkins, M.D. and Ph.D. (in his book, "Power vs Force, the Hidden Determinants of Human Behavior"), and many other books provide the paradigm, the scientific evidence and explanation of the benefits. "Although only fifteen percent of the world's population is above the critical consciousness level of 200, the collective power of that fifteen percent has the weight to counterbalance the negativity of the remaining eighty-five percent of the world's population....Were it not for these counterbalances, mankind would self-destruct out of the sheer mass of its unopposed negativity....We can see from the analysis above, however, that even a few loving thoughts during the course of the day more than counterbalance all of our negative thoughts." (pages 234-5, Power vs Force, the Hidden Determinants of Human Behavior, http://www.veritaspub.com/) This refrain is repeated and substantiated in various ways by a growing number of authors and speakers, such as the contributors of the CD, DVD of "The Secret," http://www.thesecret.tv and the book, Ask and It is Given, written by Esther and Abraham Hicks, among many others. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE PRACTICE OF APPRECIATION: Appreciations are expressions of unconditional love. When we remind people to express their “unconditional love,” we will say, please remember to do your “appreciation”. We invite you to help us pioneer this new East West collaborative tradition. Research has shown that the expression of unconditional love and appreciation are beneficial to humanity, because these thoughts and actions are at a high (500) level of energy and power. Appreciations are empowering and beneficial to all parties involved: they benefit the person GIVING an appreciation, the persons RECEIVING the appreciation, all 3rd parties witnessing or VIEWING the appreciation online or on land, and they benefit the universe in counterbalancing the collective negativity of all mankind. By contributing your appreciation below, and supporting this "Appreciation Project," individuals or groups are making a significant contribution to counterbalancing the negative energy in the universe. You are helping to supply appreciation and love...where it would otherwise be sorely lacking. DAILY APPRECIATIONS is a dedicated safe and creative space only for appreciations to be posted for public viewing. Words that express joy, friendship, good humor and gratitude are suitable. The content editors reserve the right to remove or relocate words and sentences which may not be appropriate to the Conversations and Suggestions area. If your words or sentences were relocated to the Conversations and Suggestions area, you can continue your conversations there, or continue your conversation in a more appropriate group or open your own new discussion topic in Omidyar.net for your issue. The DAILY APPRECIATIONS area is intended to be a service, a educational and healing blessing and our combined gifts to the world. It has been our hope that participants and viewers know they can return to the DAILY APPRECIATIONS to post appreciations or view appreciations when they want to take a break from work and receive the benefit of a healing energy lift that would be more effective than coffee and with less side effects. Your cooperation and participation is very much appreciated in this pioneering initiative. We reserve the right to be inconsistent in our relocation approach and to continue to change as we learn more from viewers. Love is eternal and unchanging. However, within this project we are committed to ongoing growth and change. We are continuing this project at DailyAppreciations.org Please visit us there! It is free to register and login. Also some of us will also continue on http://communitybuilders.meetup.com/1/boards/ and Daily Appreciations at http://spiritualism.meetup.com/32/boards Thank you very much! [Updated by Diane on Sept. 7, 2007 to provide transition information. .. _`~Diane T.~`: http://www.omidyar.net/user/u775224590/ ---- **Comments** :Author: ~Diane T.~ (CCAL30) :Date: Mon, 29 Jan 2007 10:16:34 PST :Modified: Wed, 14 Feb 2007 06:59:34 PST Appreciation for Norbert Mayer-Wittmann ("NMW"): I wish to express our appreciation again to Norbert for his leadership in helping to set up this Appreciation Project at Omidyar. Without his technical expertise and generous gifts of time, this project would not be here at this time. Without his continual monitoring and assistance to organize and re-organize the materials posted, and to answer many questions on how to do what in Omidyar, this project would appear more disorganized. My associates and I are very grateful to NMW for his contributions to the project to provide us with the opportunity to explore, learn, share, contribute and have a lot of fun with this project! Again, THANK YOU VERY MUCH NMW! With appreciation, Diane ---- :Author: ~Diane T.~ (CCAL30) :Date: Mon, 29 Jan 2007 10:24:07 PST Appreciation for Ted Ernst, "Ted" I wish to express our appreciation to Ted Ernst for his very valuable assistance. Many of his peers highly recommended Ted because of his outstanding specialized IT expertise, experience, wonderful personal qualities, and his ability to communicate to non-tech people. I am grateful for his willingness to take out valuable time to answer questions and explain to us, even when he is extremely busy with many other good projects. We were lost in many areas and he saved us a lot of time lost in the workspace forest. His directions were very helpful. Again, thank you so much Ted, for your generosity, kindness and for your valuable assistance. With appreciation, Diane ---- :Author: ~Diane T.~ (CCAL30) :Date: Mon, 29 Jan 2007 10:30:04 PST Appreciation for Dr. Elizabeth A. Garcia-Gray ("Liz") I am so impressed with Dr. Garcia-Gray. She is such a beautiful and friendly Spirit. When asked, she contributed 5 points right away to help us start this project here at Omidyar. She has been contributing and assisting on many very important projects like a real angel. Her personal touch, caring, generosity, awareness, compassion, warm personality and other beautiful qualities distinguish her from other medical doctors. Her friendship is one of the blessings I am grateful for made possible through this Omidyar.net. With appreciation, Diane ---- :Author: nmw :Date: Mon, 29 Jan 2007 15:59:18 PST I wish to show appreciation for B. Horst for sharing her beautiful dream_ with us. I feel that shows a great deal of trust, and I am happy that Barbara is so open and free to experiment with her thoughts and dreams. :) nmw .. _dream : http://www.omidyar.net/group/appreciation/news/4/?page=1#comment0 ---- :Author: ~Diane T.~ (CCAL30) :Date: Mon, 29 Jan 2007 16:03:06 PST :Modified: Mon, 29 Jan 2007 16:04:35 PST We wish to express our appreciation to Pierre and Pam Omidyar and the team members who helped to make the Omidyar. net and this Appreciation Project possible. Omidyar is awesome community and this website is an excellent model and point of reference. We are grateful for the wonderful people we have already connected with through this website! You are changing the world for the better with genius, talent, innovation, creativity, compassion and magnificent and generous contributions for building a better world! We look forward to the continued expansion of this Network! It has already led to many amazing outcomes and it will continue to be a source and incubator for new ideas and support for people who want to change themselves and the world for the better. Allies Building Community Inc. (A.B.C.) by D. Diane Tai, Ph.D., president ---- :Author: meadowlea (CCAL30) :Date: Mon, 29 Jan 2007 16:45:49 PST I would like to thank Norbert for putting me at ease about the dream I shared. It is true it is like traveling out to the edge where others may fear to tread and people may have all kinds of unpredictable reactions about that. I would like to thank him for shining his friendliness on that further- out-on-the-edge-than-usual-place so others may feel more at ease contributing to that discussion, which of course helps us all. It is so good for the soul, as he is showing himself to be. I would also like to thank him for his enormous creativity and ingenuity that we are all benefiting from to such a huge extent. This is so much fun! Another big warm THANK YOU, Norbert. :) ---- :Author: meadowlea (CCAL30) :Date: Mon, 29 Jan 2007 17:02:36 PST I have moved this appreciation from the Introduction and Questions and Answers Related to Appreciation to its appropriate place here. I am so deeply grateful for Dr. Tai's (Diane's) focus on appreciation. Because of her instinctive discovery of me and her ability to acknowledge my contributions, I find myself feeling that I may have found a match of energy that could empower both of us to release our most potent gifts. Many years ago I assisted a dear and highly intuitive friend in her original body-centered energy practice workshops. After a couple of years of loving the practice and seeing wonderful results, I noticed that my energy was not 100% aligned with the practice enough to pursue it with the same passion that my friend did. Now my friend is traveling across the globe sharing her countless insights and heightened energy. I have watched this for all these years with more than a touch of discomfort as I wondered, "What is it that would draw my best energy out the way my friends' energy work did for her?" I have very strong energy that if it is not absolutely focused on the very highest and best I just can't tolerate it and I go into self-destruct with addictive behavior or mind chatter wastefulness. I lost confidence many times in finding anyone else of like mind and energy to hook up with around a focus that was uplifting enough to hold my attention and stop the chatter. Thankfully, though the self-destruct threatened, I stayed as affiliated as I could with groups that were as close as possible to what inspired me such as masterminding among many others. My email box was full of daily emails from people who were out there doing their thing as I wondered with increasing desperation, "Where is my special focus where I can share and make a difference and be out there for all the people I feel are such gifts to me?" I feared dragging all these people I loved so much through my mind chatter of lack of confidence and resource and that stopped me. Knowing appreciation to be the key, I competed with the chatter by appreciating or acknowledging people around me the best I could, but the self-destruct voice grew right along with the positive things I was doing and thinking and sending to people in whatever way occurred to me at the time. I was overwhelmed with the various manifestations of the mind chatter that showed up in my life such as forfeiting time needed to get all aspects of my life synchronized for basic survival (finances and time management). During this time, Diane spotted one of my postings and responded in a way that assured me that she cared. I told myself I preferred to get some details organized first. I had gone through a string of people who had responded to that particular post, the engagement of whom did not get me any closer to my inspiration. One evening, she responded to my phone call after work. It was getting very late hours and even though I had to get up at 3:30am the next morning, I decided to make time to talk for a few minutes. I called her and immediately she began talking about the appreciation project. I was hooked. All my lights went on. "She's got it! She's got the essence as well as the organizational drive! I could really run with this!" As we pursued the mastermind project that she had originally responded in regards to, I found myself rehashing the mind chatter to mastermind about it to bring clarity to that area. Today I told her, "I don't want to do that anymore. I am inspired only to appreciate. Appreciating is like sending energy like my energy-work friend did. As we send it out, it comes right back around to us full circle. We can track our insights that occur to us along the way in the same way my energy-work friend did and watch the energy build. Rehashing what's going wrong is like chasing my tail (to use one of my friends' analogies). I just want to appreciate." To my surprise, since I had essentially suggested pulling out of what it was that originally brought us together, she was delighted!!! We both liked the simplicity of going straight for the appreciations, no matter what else is happening. We both feel that is the essence of who we are and what we are here on earth to do. I feel my inspiration has found company. The self destruct and mind chatter and repetition of and attention to what is NOT going optimally can be left behind for someone else who wants to travel that path. I'm ready to experience and promote the essence of life with Diane and the Appreciation Project. So, Diane, your love of and commitment to your focus of appreciation assisted me in stepping more fully into the light of day. My heart and life pours forth its gratefulness to you for being the essence of who you are providing a complimentary focus enabling both of us to expand the circle of light many times over what we could have done alone. B ---- :Author: meadowlea (CCAL30) :Date: Tue, 30 Jan 2007 05:37:22 PST I especially would like to appreciate all of you who have taken time out of your day and made a choice to visit this discussion. By that very small act, you are transforming the world. It is the smallest of acts that makes the real difference and it is our choice of where we put our focus during the day that determines what our day is going to be like. How our day goes affects the rest of the world, so do you see what a difference this seemingly small thing makes to the world?? ---- :Author: meadowlea (CCAL30) :Date: Tue, 30 Jan 2007 05:37:56 PST I would like to appreciate Diane Tai for her acknowledgements of people that come through genuinely heartfelt and full of grace. It’s the feeling that is the energy and that is what counts; that she truly feels what she is saying, and I believe she does. That feeling transmits to the receiver as new abundance in themselves they have likely forgotten about in the usual swarm of life. I believe this is mastery. ---- :Author: Liz ~ healthy water for the world ~ :Date: Tue, 30 Jan 2007 19:18:24 PST :Modified: Tue, 30 Jan 2007 19:19:29 PST **Diane**, I appreciate your delightful spirit and loving heart. You are showing people that to appreciate is to find the best in others and to value the light they have within. In the process, that soulful refractory mirror ends up radiating light to many more. I also appreciate your openness and warmth. I smile now knowing that to appreciate is to be spiritually and emotionally abundant. Which is why you have so much to give others. Here's to kindred spirits and to friendship. Thank you. ---- :Author: Liz ~ healthy water for the world ~ :Date: Tue, 30 Jan 2007 19:34:38 PST **B**, I appreciate your openheartedness and honest giving of your feelings and thoughts. Dream analysts do say that everyone and everything in the dream is a part of us. Though we focus on the person in your dream, it makes me wonder if you are the gold in that dream as well. Exactly what appreciations can be. When we appreciate, we give our gold to others. We give them the abundant spirit that we have inside. Sometimes, others may be afraid of the gold for they may not be sure what it truly is. Then when they realize its true worth, people metaphorically treasure what is most precious within us. I appreciate and value your sense of gratitude and support of Diane and the appreciation cause. Thank you for being here in Omidyar.Net. ---- :Author: Liz ~ healthy water for the world ~ :Date: Tue, 30 Jan 2007 19:56:34 PST :Modified: Tue, 30 Jan 2007 20:01:45 PST I want to express my deepest appreciation for **Phyllis Hurley**. Phyllis is an incredible lady with an enlightened sense of spirituality who is steadfastly focused on doing good for the world. Having worked as a principal, she has tirelessley uplifted many children's sense of self-worth through a school that she and a friend help establish. Her dedication to foment racial reconciliation in their school and church has been nothing less than inspirational. Though she had a stroke while fund-raising, she amazingly made sure that we got the funds for the NPOs to stop WDI. Today she is undergoing heart surgery and please send her loving thoughts and prayers. For if you meet Phyllis, you will love her compassion, kindness, great sense of humor, humility, sense of service, faith and her beautiful heart. ---- :Author: meadowlea (CCAL30) :Date: Tue, 30 Jan 2007 20:04:19 PST I would like to appreciate Ravi Arapurakal for being the first person after Diane to acknowledge me and to send me 3 points! It is such a wonderful thing to make people feel welcome. Thank you! I join you wholeheartedly, Ravi, in reclaiming our ONEself - nurturing in character in every way. Thank you for sharing the level of your current understanding and expressing it as beautifully as you have (the timely importance of discovering and expressing from our true self) so that those who have some of that understanding as well or desire for more can go right to the heart of the matter much more quickly in communication with you. B ---- :Author: meadowlea (CCAL30) :Date: Tue, 30 Jan 2007 20:24:05 PST I would like to appreciate Julie Caldwell for being the 3rd person to welcome me and to acknowledge me with 3 points! Julie, I am intrigued with the Prayer Wheel and am looking forward to learning more. Thank you for sharing so much about your passions! One thing that stood out for me that I especially enjoyed and that will remain memorable is in your Geographic Bio where you say "Work where I am most valued, needed and wanted" That may not seem special to you or others here, but many people don't stop to create a context for work like that. For whatever reason, it touched me and I love that you look at your work that way. B ---- :Author: meadowlea (CCAL30) :Date: Tue, 30 Jan 2007 20:43:36 PST I am most appreciative of Elizabeth Garcia-Gray for her warm welcome to me, the points she shared with me and MOST especially for her contribution to the development of this appreciation board! It is such great fun to have you along Liz! Your comment about dreams was thought-provoking as well. Thank you for being such a support and inspiration for volunteers around the globe. I can tell you are a true stand for the soul of every human being. Your energy is contagious. Thank you for sharing your wonderful picture so we can know you visually as well. B ---- :Author: ~Diane T.~ (CCAL30) :Date: Tue, 30 Jan 2007 23:19:57 PST B. Horst, you are a practical visionary! I really appreciate your unique touch which is so rare and magical! I generally try to respond to criticisms with, "I LOVE criticisms," just to prevent an automatic knee-jerk defensive response on my part. In this exceptional case.... your appreciations remind me that between receiving criticisms and appreciation, I think I LOVE receiving appreciations much more! Thank you very much for your generosity and your kind thoughts. You have a talent in bringing much joy to others through appreciations. Your skill and talent will soften left brain types, and heal many broke hearts on earth. I know how busy you are currently. Therefore I would like to especially thank you very much for taking the time to share your appreciations and to support this Appreciation Project at Omidyar. There is a special room in my heart for pioneers and founding members who contribute and support this Project during its initial stage of development. Congratulations and thanks again for your contributions! ---- :Author: ~Diane T.~ (CCAL30) :Date: Wed, 31 Jan 2007 00:17:29 PST Appreciation for Norbert Mayer-Wittmann, Our Chief Technology Officer! We really appreciate your ongoing attention, participation, and technology skills to design and support the infrastructure of the project and shape it as the project grows. The project looks so much better after you organize the content and make the needed changes to facilitate discussion among participants in response to their comments. Again, we are grateful for your leadership, IT skills, vital contributions and overall support which are critical to the success of the project. You have brought much joy into our lives. May this project provide some of the pipelines and connections so that part of the oceans of abundance of the universe can flow to you. With gratitude, Diane ---- :Author: Liz ~ healthy water for the world ~ :Date: Wed, 31 Jan 2007 19:23:05 PST :Modified: Thu, 01 Feb 2007 20:31:20 PST I would like to express my profound appreciation and gratitude for **Dr. Ashis Brahma**. Ashis, a colleague and now a dear friend, has the qualities of a consummate physician. The work he continues to do serving the Sudanese refugees in the Oure Cassoni camp in Chad has been heartwarmingly inspirational. He has courageously served as a human shield and a respected voice for the voiceless, not losing sight of the importance of empowering the refugees for self-sustainability. He compassionately uplifts the strength and the indomitable spirits of our refugees helping them daily to rise beyond their tragedies. He humbly learns from them and he is a champion for those who suffer. I appreciate Ashis' innate ability in bringing out the child-like joy in people. And he understands the meaning of laughter being great medicine and that affectionate irreverence can oftentimes bring out familial smiles in many. His delightful joie de vivre is balanced by his seriousness in encouraging the world to rise up and take action to stop genocide now. He is insightfully and astutely aware that medicine is not just about science or pharmacology but about the healing of body, mind and spirit. From experience he knows that prayer and meditation are important for spiritual growth and for a path towards a life purpose - Truth, Harmony and Unity. What I appreciate most about Ashis is his deep Love for people. His love, especially for children and animals is well-known. His willingness to learn and keep his heart open for all possibilities make him a natural teacher. To a kindred soul. Namaskar, Ashis. From Liz. ---- :Author: Liz ~ healthy water for the world ~ :Date: Wed, 31 Jan 2007 20:40:31 PST I would like to share with all of you my heartfelt appreciation and love for **my grandparents**. Although they are now gone from this earth. I believe that their unconditional love for our family vibrantly lives on. My paternal grandparents raised the bar for Love. They were a joy to see together. So kind and loving to one another. And of course they had ten children who gave them a brood of grandchildren and great grandchildren. My grandfather was a lawyer and professor and my grandmother was a teacher. I appreciate the sacrifices they made to ensure the education of their children and grandchildren. They instilled in us the meaning of love of God, family and friends. They taught us that compassion and service to others are vital. And that to those much is given, much is expected. I appreciate the many special unforgettable memories they gave us. They lived in a home that was surrounded with many fruit trees, plants, and tropical flowers, like orchids. It was so tender to see them look at each other, dance with each other and appreciate each other. They were there for us through joys and sorrows, always hopeful, always loving. They encouraged us, they nurtured us and they believed in us. I remember going into their home and saw them dancing to a waltz and looking at each other's eyes as if noone was there watching. Sweetness. I will never forget that. When they passed away, eulogies were said but not truly necessary. Most of our extended family members are quite open and have given my grandparents ongoing appreciations and tributes for all that they are and have done for us while they were alive. It reminds us of the beauty and depth in not letting an opportunity pass to appreciate and tell people how much we love them. Both in words and in actions. Let us say our appreciations now. To our loved ones. Families. Friends. Each other. Today. For in the end, I believe that only Love matters. ---- :Author: meadowlea (CCAL30) :Date: Thu, 01 Feb 2007 06:00:33 PST :Modified: Thu, 01 Feb 2007 12:12:53 PST I would like to extend my profound gratitude for Pierre and Pam Omidyar and all of their little and big elves. You have provided an incredible free communication opportunity at Omidyar.net. It is a quality place to be and an amazing service you have done for us. The point system in ingenious. I am new here, but the longer I play around with this space, the more my gratitude grows. Pierre and Pam, you have attracted the best of the best. Thank you for your wonderful creativity and intentions now actualized and the generous sharing of your obvious mastery of the internet and many other skill sets. B. Horst, You have expressed our positive feelings of gratitude for Pierre and Pam Omidyar so beautifully. Thank you so much! [**Edited by group owner:** `~Diane T.~`_ on 01 Feb 2007 12:12 PST: Many of us feel the same way as B. Horst, thank you B !] .. _`~Diane T.~`: http://www.omidyar.net/user/u775224590/ ---- :Author: nmw :Date: Thu, 01 Feb 2007 06:15:16 PST Well said -- and I **wholeheartedly agree**! .. on-include:: /tag/meta interesting link_ nmw pos 10 insightful link_ nmw pos 10 .. _link : http://www.omidyar.net/group/appreciation/news/3/19/ ---- :Author: nmw :Date: Thu, 01 Feb 2007 06:21:09 PST :Modified: Thu, 01 Feb 2007 06:21:38 PST BTW: there are some people who I appreciate **so much** that perhaps this cannot be expressed in words at all. The last person on this list_ is a fictional character (I *think*) and is really meant to "lighten up" on the previous three (who have had a profoundly positive impact on my life -- and probably will continue to have a profoundly positive impact on my life until the day I die). <*choke*> ;) nmw .. _list : http://www.omidyar.net/user/u368669867/#my-heroes ---- :Author: Brian Lewis (CCAL30) :Date: Thu, 01 Feb 2007 06:21:16 PST In the opening ideas expressed in this discussion, "appreciation" is defined as: Appreciation = Power (like generating electric power.) I have been thinking and thinking and thinking about this topic...wondering at its definition...trying to tie it together in my own thinking. Probably it is something that I have been making difficult when it should be easy... In the opening, Diane then says: "The book, "The Hidden Messages in Water" by Masaru Emoto introduces the revolutionary work of internationally renowned Japanese scientist Masaru Emoto, who has discovered that molecules of water are affected by our thoughts, words and feelings. Since humans and the earth are composed mostly of water, his message is one of personal health, global environmental renewal, and a practical plan for peace that starts with each one of us." Thinking of the idea that "Appreciation is power" and coupling it with the idea that we can change the characteristics of even molecules such as water by our focused thought--(reminds me a little of TM and changing the world via meditation)--I now want to share about someone whom I appreciate as having had these influences on my life. My wife. She has allowed my water molecules to take on new beauties even though at times there has been boiling tempests with steam rising the result has been quite profound in many ways. Thank you. ---- :Author: ~Diane T.~ (CCAL30) :Date: Thu, 01 Feb 2007 07:59:10 PST :Modified: Thu, 01 Feb 2007 08:02:00 PST Appreciation for John Stone, When I joined Omidyar to see what it was about, and I saw so many wonderful people and projects, I started to acknowledge them by giving them positive points as part of the feedback. Several times, my bank became completely empty. This was a new experience for me. In real life, my bank accounts are never empty, except twice when someone forgot to record a big check they issued. In Omidyar, after my "bank" was empty several times, it appeared like a miracle, John Stone kept rescuing me by giving me points with a good guideline, "just promise, no negatives." I did not know who he was or what his guideline meant. Now I know he is one of my angels in disguise. And I am following his guideline, which has profound wisdom imbedded in it because it keeps me out of engaging in left-brain arguments which undermine my energy. I love to "be right" like many left-brain logical/analytical types. I love to debate which is a favorite left-brain analytical exercise. However, from Dr. David R. Hawkins, I have learned that logic and analysis will not achieve the outcomes of Love, Joy, Peace-in-Mind, Friendship, Appreciation or Enlightenment. We have to choose with awareness when it does NOT serve our purpose to think from the logical side of our mind. John Stone asked for a commitment to "promise, no negatives." That is a very wise and excellent guideline if we wish to remain in the domain of joy, love, peace and appreciation. Therefore, I am grateful for John Stone's assistance and wisdom, and especially his early assistance and ongoing support in his own unique way. Thanks sooooooooo much, JS! With appreciation, Diane T. ---- :Author: ~Diane T.~ (CCAL30) :Date: Thu, 01 Feb 2007 09:49:25 PST :Modified: Thu, 01 Feb 2007 10:42:01 PST nmw said: Well said -- and I **wholeheartedly agree**! .. on-include:: /tag/meta interesting link_ nmw pos 10 insightful link_ nmw pos 10 .. _link : http://www.omidyar.net/group/appreciation/news/3/19/ Norbert, Could you translate this and each of the above items into Chinese-English or non-tech English so I can understand what this means and can appreciate better its contribution to the project? THANKS soooooooooooo much! [**Edited by group owner:** `nmw`_ on 01 Feb 2007 10:42 PST: META +1 interesting] .. _`nmw`: http://www.omidyar.net/user/u368669867/ ---- :Author: ~Diane T.~ (CCAL30) :Date: Thu, 01 Feb 2007 09:53:28 PST nmw said: BTW: there are some people who I appreciate **so much** that perhaps this cannot be expressed in words at all. The last person on this list_ is a fictional character (I *think*) and is really meant to "lighten up" on the previous three (who have had a profoundly positive impact on my life -- and probably will continue to have a profoundly positive impact on my life until the day I die). <*choke*> ;) nmw .. _list : http://www.omidyar.net/user/u368669867/#my-heroes NWM, This is so beautiful and moving, thanks so much for sharing! You are very inspirational and awesome! With appreciation, Diane ---- :Author: ~Diane T.~ (CCAL30) :Date: Thu, 01 Feb 2007 09:57:36 PST :Modified: Thu, 01 Feb 2007 12:26:30 PST Brian Lewis said: In the opening ideas expressed in this discussion, "appreciation" is defined as: Appreciation = Power (like generating electric power.) I have been thinking and thinking and thinking about this topic...wondering at its definition...trying to tie it together in my own thinking. Probably it is something that I have been making difficult when it should be easy... In the opening, Diane then says: "The book, "The Hidden Messages in Water" by Masaru Emoto introduces the revolutionary work of internationally renowned Japanese scientist Masaru Emoto, who has discovered that molecules of water are affected by our thoughts, words and feelings. Since humans and the earth are composed mostly of water, his message is one of personal health, global environmental renewal, and a practical plan for peace that starts with each one of us." Thinking of the idea that "Appreciation is power" and coupling it with the idea that we can change the characteristics of even molecules such as water by our focused thought--(reminds me a little of TM and changing the world via meditation)--I now want to share about someone whom I appreciate as having had these influences on my life. My wife. She has allowed my water molecules to take on new beauties even though at times there has been boiling tempests with steam rising the result has been quite profound in many ways. Thank you. Brian, Your comments left me with delightful laughter for a long time, you have such a fabulous sense of humor! Thanks for your sharing, for participating and for contributing your unique sense of humor to cheer up our days! With appreciation, Diane ---- :Author: nmw :Date: Thu, 01 Feb 2007 10:40:42 PST :Modified: Thu, 01 Feb 2007 10:41:17 PST ~Diane T.~ said: nmw said: Well said -- and I **wholeheartedly agree**! .. on-include:: /tag/meta interesting link_ nmw pos 10 insightful link_ nmw pos 10 .. _link : http://www.omidyar.net/group/appreciation/news/3/19/ Norbert, Could you translate this and each of the above items into Chinese-English or non-tech English so I can understand what this means and can appreciate better its contribution to the project? THANKS soooooooooooo much! Gladly, Diane the purpose of this is to disclose what I spend my feedback on (I used to do feedback disclosure for workspace, too -- but this simply became unwieldy). It's actually a pain in the neck to do, but adds alot of information to omidyar.net. here's a step-by-step guide: metatagging_ when you click on the search link you will be able to find posts that include such code. Then you can add "interesting" or "funny" or whatever and you will see as a result such posts. The problem with this method is that it doesn't return the thing that's *interesting* or *funny* (or whatever), but rather the post I made which includes the **link** to the *interesting* or *funny* (or whatever) thing. This is why I have been experimenting with using the group owner's right to edit other comments to "paste" such "metatags" right into the other post. I haven't taken the **leap** to change to this method -- maybe I should. Let me use your post_ as an example. Is that better? (I think so...) .. _metatagging : http://www.omidyar.net/group/tag/ws/metatagging/ .. _post : http://www.omidyar.net/group/appreciation/news/3/24/ ---- :Author: nmw :Date: Thu, 01 Feb 2007 10:44:36 PST :Modified: Thu, 01 Feb 2007 10:50:16 PST and here's the search_ that would give the desired result well, maybe the format should be META that way, a search for *only* "META " would return all items with the characteristic described by (regardless of how many feedback points were given) and maybe "FB" (or "fb") would be better than "META", because "meta" is sometimes used as a "normal" word. OK, maybe I'll do that from now on -- at least in the groups in which I'm an owner! :) nmw .. _search : http://www.omidyar.net/search/?SearchableText=%22meta+%2B1%22+interesting ---- :Author: Brian Lewis (CCAL30) :Date: Thu, 01 Feb 2007 10:59:16 PST Well, Diane--when the steam is rising the humor is still there--somewhere! ---- :Author: ~Diane T.~ (CCAL30) :Date: Thu, 01 Feb 2007 12:37:54 PST Appreciating Dr. Elizabeth Garcia-Gray sharing Dr. Garcia-Gray, Thank you so much for sharing many appreciations on this Appreciation Board. We appreciate your leadership and support for this project. Also we are learning from you and from others about these role models we may not know about otherwise, and what people appreciate about them. I find this motivating and educational. I know you are extremely busy with a lot on your plate. Thanks you for taking the time to help and support this project! With gratitude, Diane ---- :Author: Pascal H D Gillon (CCAL30) :Date: Thu, 01 Feb 2007 14:51:00 PST Appreciation for Geri Weis-Corbley for her amazing site goodnewsnetwork.org http://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/content/view/87/110/ It says it all...actually ADD TO THAT Diane of the Appreciation Project too! Those 2 gals are the kind of leaders we NEED for the better future of our children and I do not take that for granted! When feeling the blues come here, even visit the goodnewsnetwork.org site and the day WILL shine back to you quickly! Thanks geri and Thanks Diane! Pascal Gillon Founder infogatherer.com ~Diane T.~ said: Please mention who or what you are appreciating, one appreciation per comment below. Thank you for your contributions of positive energy to our community! Appreciation = Power (like generating electric power) Please share your positive thoughts on this site. We all have so much to be grateful for, and we’re looking for ways to facilitate the expression of that gratitude. Not only do we feel good when we express appreciation, we also help others by completing the circle of loving energy. When many people share at this energy level of love and joy, the healing effect is very powerful and beneficial on other viewers and on the energy in a community. The book, "The Hidden Messages in Water" by Masaru Emoto introduces the revolutionary work of internationally renowned Japanese scientist Masaru Emoto, who has discovered that molecules of water are affected by our thoughts, words and feelings. Since humans and the earth are composed mostly of water, his message is one of personal health, global environmental renewal, and a practical plan for peace that starts with each one of us. In his book you can see actual photos of the effect of words. "When words that indicate harm to humans were shown to the water, no crystals formed. It even appears that the words, "You make me sick" created the shape of a man with a gun." "The word "angel resulted in a ring of small crystals linked together, while the word "Satan" formed a crystal with a dark lump in the center as if ready to attack." John Diamond, M.D. (in his book, "Life Energy"), and Dr. David R. Hawkins, M.D. and Ph.D. (in his book, "Power vs Force, the Hidden Determinants of Human Behavior"), have also done extensive research on this subject. "Although only fifteen percent of the world's population is above the critical consciousness level of 200, the collective power of that fifteen percent has the weight to counterbalance the negativity of the remaining eighty-five percent of the world's population....Were it not for these counterbalances, mankind would self-destruct out of the sheer mass of its unopposed negativity....We can see from the analysis above, however, that even a few loving thoughts during the course of the day more than counterbalance all of our negative thoughts." (pages 234-5, Power vs Force, the Hidden Determinants of Human Behavior) FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE PRACTICE OF APPRECIATION: Appreciations are expressions of unconditional love. When we remind people to express their “unconditional love,” we will say, please remember to do your “appreciation”. We invite you to help us pioneer this new East West collaborative tradition. Research has shown that the expression of unconditional love and appreciation are beneficial to humanity, because these thoughts and actions are at the 500 level of energy and power. Appreciations are empowering and beneficial to all parties involved: they benefit the person GIVING an appreciation, the persons RECEIVING the appreciation, all 3rd parties witnessing or VIEWING the appreciation online or on land, and they benefit the universe in counterbalancing the collective negativity of all mankind. By contributing your appreciation below, and supporting this "Appreciation Project," individuals or groups are making a significant contribution to humanity. They are helping to supply a lack by providing more positive energy to the universe. ---- :Author: aterker christopher :Date: Fri, 02 Feb 2007 00:43:16 PST I love to appreciate the comment made DIANE ,I Love to explore,learn ,share controbute and have alot of fun with this project , society can only be change throug learning from your controbution and pass it to the rest of the world. ---- :Author: Rory Turner (CCAL30) :Date: Sat, 03 Feb 2007 17:01:25 PST I am appreciate of the precious gift it is to share this life with all I share it with, for those who are aware of its fullness and depth, for all those moved to service, to kindness, to justice, to the creation of beauty and peace. ---- :Author: meadowlea (CCAL30) :Date: Sat, 03 Feb 2007 18:59:36 PST Yesterday I was speaking with a specialized service provider who I was depending on to perform a critical service for me. In the course of the conversation with him, I referred to another service provider in the same field who I explained I wasn’t certain had as much experience as the one I was speaking directly to. I highly respected both service providers in different ways, but at that moment, I was definitely not in appreciation mode. Immediately the service provider I was speaking to declined to complete a service he had implied he’d complete a week or so ago leaving me to do alone this critical task where errors are perilous. I was offended but thoughtful knowing it was only a short amount of time before the charge was gone since I’m getting better at clearing bad feelings all the time. As the day passed, I was able to be honest with myself about how I had drained my service provider’s energy by my forgetfulness in trusting the process of appreciation. I had even told him about the Appreciation Board in that same conversation, and I was definitely not walking my talk!! So now I’ve got two people to appreciate. First, the service provider who (probably unbeknownst to him) refused to let me get away with being anything other than 100% appreciative and second, me, for making the kind of mistake that etches the experience in my memory forever making me all that more focused on creating happier feelings within myself and my world. What a brilliant team!! B ---- :Author: Brian Lewis (CCAL30) :Date: Sun, 04 Feb 2007 05:07:47 PST :Modified: Sun, 04 Feb 2007 05:10:49 PST One day a man returned home after a busy and frustrating day at work. He was in an unpleasant mood because of the events of the day. With the burdens of his day pressing on his shoulders he walked into his house where he was met by his young son. "Daddy, can I ask you a question?" "OK" said the father even as he thought that all he wanted was some quiet and time to get over the events of the day. "How much money do you make an hour?" asked the son. Reacting from the frustration and events of the day, the father angrily responded, "None of your business! Go to your room! How dare you ask me such a question!" An hour later the father was feeling some remorse at how he had treated his child. Getting up from the sofa where he had been sitting, he went upstairs to his young son's room. Opening the door, he saw his son sitting quietly on the edge of his bed. "I can tell you son that I make $20 an hour." "Oh," said the young, "Can I borrow $10?" Feeling the guilt of what he had done, the father opened his wallet and handed his son $10. Smiling, the boy took it in his hands and reaching under his pillow, took out several bills to which he added the $10. Reacting to seeing that his son had already quite a few bills, the father impatiently asked--"If you have so much money why are you asking me for $10?" Looking up from where he sat, the boy responded, "Now I have $20 and I would like to pay for an hour of your time and want to ask you if you can come home early tomorrow and we can play and have dinner together." ______________________ I appreciate my children, the time we have together, the smiles and laughter they share so easily, the happiness they bring into my life. ---- :Author: Liz ~ healthy water for the world ~ :Date: Sun, 04 Feb 2007 06:52:23 PST :Modified: Tue, 01 May 2007 06:59:41 PDT Thank you for that, Brian. **I appreciate MY CHILDREN** to the utmost. Although my son suffered a tragedy, I feel blessed as his mother for the tragedy allowed me to grow and test our unconditional love and strength as a close-knit extended family. My daughter has grown to be a beautiful humanitarian young lady. Both children have always been loving with big hearts. I appreciate them both for that. They are my miracles. They have taught me and still teach me a lot about life and love. They are both adults now and each one is using all the tools that they need for their life journeys. They both love a power greater than us. For that I am grateful. ---- :Author: ~Diane T.~ (CCAL30) :Date: Sun, 04 Feb 2007 11:42:44 PST Appreciating Dr. Elizabeth A. Garcia-Gray, a beautiful, kind and inspiring angel! Notice how generous, gracious, kind and healing are the words of Dr. Garcia-Gray. She has demonstrated one of the benefits of having an Appreciation Board(tm) in her description of Dr. Ashis Brahma and many others on this community Appreciation Board(tm). It has been very educational, inspiring and hopeful to read these appreciations. I would like to call your attention to a book by her on this subject, see http://www.garciagray.com/authorbio.htm With angels like her among us, I am much more hopeful about the future of our world. Thank you Dr. Garcia-Gray for all your dedication, generosity, compassion and for calling our attention to the other "immortals" in our community. With appreciation, D. Diane Tai ---- :Author: meadowlea (CCAL30) :Date: Sun, 04 Feb 2007 13:15:54 PST :Modified: Mon, 05 Feb 2007 16:48:46 PST ~Diane T.~ said: I would like to call your attention to a book by her on this subject, see http://www.garciagray.com/authorbio.htm B says: After going to that site, I felt tears in my eyes by the end. Perhaps it has partly to do with the particular energy that I believe may be found in the Filippino people. I met the female Mayor of Sorsogon and her amazingly warm and insightful support team at a week long conference in 2005 and experienced their incredible warmth, depth, will and resilience. The world renown leader of the conference felt something special was happening in the Philippines and that more than anywhere in the world, they "get it." They understand the value of sharing each others' stories. I felt that same theme and surge of optimism with Elizabeth's writing at that link. ---- :Author: Phyllis Hurley (CCAL30) :Date: Sun, 04 Feb 2007 15:41:33 PST Dear Liz, I want to thank you so much for your very kind post in this thread. I am deeply touched by it. I feel most unworthy to be on the same page as Ashis and your grandparents! I have learned so much from you in a short time. You’ve taught me about love, friendship, and service. I had to buy a map to even locate the places you’ve been! You are truly an inspiration to me, and I am honored to be your friend. ---- :Author: Liz ~ healthy water for the world ~ :Date: Sun, 04 Feb 2007 17:38:00 PST :Modified: Sun, 04 Feb 2007 17:39:34 PST Thank you, **Phyllis**, for being a loving friend. My life feels even more abundant with you as my friend. You are awesome! Thank you, **Diane**, for your incredible heart in appreciating people and seeing the best in all of us so consistently. This Appreciation Project is so needed by the world. Thank you, **B.**, for uplifting the essence of the people from the Philippines. It touches me that you mentioned your interactions with other Filipinos. I am profoundly appreciative of the **Philippine's** **"People Power"** - when people made a stand against what they believed was a government that needed to change, and they all did it with peace. Imagine, having tanks and guns pointed at you. And imagine praying for the soldiers with those weapons, and giving them food and garlands of flowers. Imagine flowers hanging on those guns and tanks. And imagine people of all ages making a stand all throughout the streets side by side. ---- :Author: ~Diane T.~ (CCAL30) :Date: Sun, 04 Feb 2007 18:57:20 PST Appreciating Pascal H. D. Gillon ABC Allies appreciate Pascal H. D. Gillon for all that he has gone through, (see some of the factors and barriers mentioned in another section of this Appreciation Project on neutralizing factors), yet he has transcended fear and is giving back generously with his helpful website entitled, www.inforgatherer.com. Thank you for your assistance and inspiration! ---- :Author: ~Diane T.~ (CCAL30) :Date: Sun, 04 Feb 2007 19:05:49 PST Appreciating Brian Lewis Brian, thank you for sharing that wonderful story! Isn't it a blessing to have such smart and business-minded children? They know how to get your attention and how to make a deal! You won't have to worry about them being as intelligent and creative as they are. Obviously, they are learning from your example and may be following their Dad's footsteps! ---- :Author: JS : ) >+=> (CCAL30) :Date: Sun, 04 Feb 2007 19:58:00 PST With Great Appreciation for my GOoD Friends, Diane and Elizabeth (Angel Doc), among many other Friends and O-Net Allies, and ALL those posting to this new channel of Postive Connective Forward Energy >+=> Just Promise, no negatives! *Positively, JS : )* ---- :Author: ~Diane T.~ (CCAL30) :Date: Sun, 04 Feb 2007 20:13:17 PST Appreciating Pash Galbavy Pash, we thank you for describing the essence of the Appreciation Board(tm) to capture the "small appreciations" that enrich our lives on a day to day basis and to save those gifts for the present and future generations to enjoy and benefit from viewing them. In ancient times, only kings had the power to have their words heard around the world. We are fortunate to be able to recognize deserving people by posting their name on the honor roll of the community, i.e. the Appreciation Board(tm) at Omidyar.net. As an "early adopter" your contributions and support are very important to the future of this Project. We also look forward to other precious quotes from your thesis work related to appreciations. Thanks again! ---- :Author: Liz ~ healthy water for the world ~ :Date: Sun, 04 Feb 2007 20:28:47 PST I would like to express appreciation for **PAM & PIERRE OMIDYAR**: for opening your humanitarian and philantropic hearts out for all of us through Omidyar.Net. You both are inspirational role-models of generosity, compassion and kindness. Most of all, thank you for creating this wonderful online community full of diverse people from all over the world. The collective talents, skills, hearts, intelligence and spirits of the people here are phenomenal. Many truly want to collaborate to make good things happen moving us towards that critical mass of people with altruistic intentions and actions. The bridging of people from all walks of life to make a positive difference to our world is nothing less than miraculous. What I appreciate about you Pam is your passionate leadership and activism especially in the Sudan Crisis situation, doing everything you can to help stop genocide. You do not look away, Pam. You make a strong and heartfelt stand and want to ensure that the unprotected are protected. Your spontaneity and creativity in the Darfurby thread is positively heartwarming, and all for a great cause. Pam and Pierre, I also appreciate your patience and tolerance. As philantropists, many request so much from both of you. And it must be difficult sometimes when in spite of your having given a lot to many, people may still react in ways that may be hard to understand. It is clear from your posts that you welcome respectful challenges, debates, and differences of opinions and you are supportive of those who uplift the mission. I appreciate Pierre's emphasis on how we are all smarter than one of us. Thank you for your bigheartedness and spearheading the mission of making good things happen in this world. May love, peace and joy surround you and your loved ones always. ---- :Author: Brian Lewis (CCAL30) :Date: Mon, 05 Feb 2007 04:45:31 PST :Modified: Mon, 05 Feb 2007 04:46:08 PST Diane wrote in part: "Brian, thank you for sharing that wonderful story!" It was a story and it was meant to reflect on parents, and perhaps especially fathers, not paying attention to their children. I shared it in order to express my wish that all parents "appreciate" their children--whom, after all, are in this world because of the parents. Ciao. ---- :Author: meadowlea (CCAL30) :Date: Mon, 05 Feb 2007 06:32:40 PST :Modified: Mon, 05 Feb 2007 07:36:28 PST I would like to appreciate John Karanja for the friendly points he welcomed me with and also for who he is. Being propelled by his generosity to dig deeper into who this generous person is is quite enjoyable. It is great fun reviewing the profile and interest areas to see if something stands out that would be interesting to share. John, based on what you’ve contributed within Onet, if I met you in person, I believe that you would be uplifting to be around. I would enjoy sitting back and watching people come alive as they interacted with you. I imagine you all hospitality with a huge smile offering irresistible bowls of Mukimo and Wali and always talking about what’s possible in a way that may not have previously occurred to the one you are speaking to. I believe people feel nurtured in your presence. I also have the impression that you are not easily deterred from your lofty goals. I appreciate all these qualities as they are so much in demand right now. Thank you for raising the bar in such a caring and good-natured way. I think that’s what you are about, and I’m inspired! B ---- :Author: nmw :Date: Mon, 05 Feb 2007 07:01:29 PST I appreciate myself_ ;D nmw .. _myself : http://www.omidyar.net/group/appreciation/ws/nmw ---- :Author: Brian Lewis (CCAL30) :Date: Mon, 05 Feb 2007 08:40:06 PST Hi Norbert--reminds me of the post I made in the Love discussion asking if it is possible to love someone else if one doesn't love their self. ---- :Author: Craig Steel (CCAL30) :Date: Mon, 05 Feb 2007 09:25:01 PST There was a time when once a week, in the morning, I would buy some flowers from a street vendor and take them to my office where I would spend an hour or so cutting and making an arrangement for display on our front desk. I've always loved flowers, especially wild flowers, for their delicate beauty. Even the smallest of them. I'm an artist after all. But it wasn't until I read the following series of verses in the bible that flowers became alive with deep meaning to me. "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on the earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves dig through and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not dig through nor steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is single, your whole body will be full of light; But if your eye is evil, your whole body will be dark. If then the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will hold to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. Because of this, I say to you, Do not be anxious for your life, what you should eat or what you should drink; nor for your body, what you should put on. Is not the life more than food, and the body than clothing? Look at the birds of heaven. They do not sow nor reap nor gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father nourishes them. Are you not of more value than they? Who among you by being anxious can add one cubit to his stature? **And why are you anxious concerning clothing? Consider well the lilies of the field, how they grow. They do not toil, neither do they spin thread. But I tell you that not even Solomon in all his glory was clothed like one of these. And if God so arrays the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is cast into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you, you of little faith?** Therefore do not be anxious, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, With what shall we be clothed? For all these things the Gentiles are anxiously seeking. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself; sufficient for the day is its own evil." So on the mornings I spent time with the flowers I also spent time appreciating (which is to say, considering) the reality inherent in the above series of verses. But more often than not I would find myself stumbled in the transferring/application of this appreciation into an actual living. Yet this in itself was a lesson, as it exposed for me (and the lack of the truth in me) that the intrinsic matter of appreciation has two dimensions to it, seeing and being. This was a great and wonderful life-lesson to learn of, and be constantly in the process of being perfected in. cj ---- :Author: meadowlea (CCAL30) :Date: Mon, 05 Feb 2007 15:17:20 PST :Modified: Mon, 05 Feb 2007 15:20:04 PST B. Horst said: Yesterday I was speaking with a specialized service provider who I was depending on to perform a critical service for me. In the course of the conversation with him, I referred to another service provider in the same field who I explained I wasn’t certain had as much experience as the one I was speaking directly to. I highly respected both service providers in different ways, but at that moment, I was definitely not in appreciation mode. Immediately the service provider I was speaking to declined to complete a service he had implied he’d complete a week or so ago leaving me to do alone this critical task where errors are perilous. I was offended but thoughtful knowing it was only a short amount of time before the charge was gone since I’m getting better at clearing bad feelings all the time. As the day passed, I was able to be honest with myself about how I had drained my service provider’s energy by my forgetfulness in trusting the process of appreciation. I had even told him about the Appreciation Board in that same conversation, and I was definitely not walking my talk!! So now I’ve got two people to appreciate. First, the service provider who (probably unbeknownst to him) refused to let me get away with being anything other than 100% appreciative and second, me, for making the kind of mistake that etches the experience in my memory forever making me all that more focused on creating happier feelings within myself and my world. What a brilliant team!! B Guess what? It worked! I forwarded this note to that service provider who had decided to leave me on my own with that critical task. Today, he walked me through it step by step and it's all done as if he had done it himself! :-) This works!! Anyone still confused as to why we are spending so much time building our appreciation muscles???? B ---- :Author: Brian Lewis (CCAL30) :Date: Mon, 05 Feb 2007 15:36:41 PST Being kind and taking the time to express your appreciation provides much reward on many levels and planes. Good work B. Horst. ---- :Author: Ashis Brahma (CCAL30) :Date: Mon, 05 Feb 2007 16:56:40 PST I appreciate Gayle, And indeed one should say it out loud. Those that can listen to your rantings and when oyu are unreasonable, And especially those that accept you for who you are. Stimulating to reach to higher and deeper levels of consciousness. Gently and patiently guiding. No we have not met yet, but India, Australia or Vietnam are just around the corner. A blissfull time and a blessing to have started our commen journey in 2006. Ashis ---- :Author: meadowlea (CCAL30) :Date: Mon, 05 Feb 2007 16:57:03 PST Elizabeth A. Garcia-Gray said: Philippine's "People Power" - when people made a stand against what they believed was a government that needed to change, and they all did it with peace. Imagine, having tanks and guns pointed at you. And imagine praying for the soldiers with those weapons, and giving them food and garlands of flowers. Imagine flowers hanging on those guns and tanks. And imagine people of all ages making a stand all throughout the streets side by side. It is just beautiful that you have that in your history. That is exactly what we need right now in Iraq; surrounding the White House here; all over the world. What do you say ... let's do it! If not physically, in our imaginations. It's the same thing, and it's quite easy if we put aside the time and create the intent. I can see it all very easily! B ---- :Author: Gayle Rogers (Australia) :Date: Mon, 05 Feb 2007 17:27:06 PST **Ashis Brahma said:** I appreciate Gayle, And indeed one should say it out loud. Those that can listen to your rantings and when you are unreasonable, And especially those that accept you for who you are. Stimulating to reach to higher and deeper levels of consciousness. Gently and patiently guiding. No we have not met yet, but India, Australia or Vietnam are just around the corner. A blissfull time and a blessing to have started our common journey in 2006. Ashis **......... Why didn't I put waterproof mascara on this morning? :)** I chose to send my "appreciations" - to all of my loved ones - privately rather than to post them publicly as many contained detailed and intimate musings. It has been a lovely thing to do. (Lots of happy tears and conversations have been had as a result) So Ash - in addition to what you already know - thank you for this; it is beautiful and I adore you. Oh and thank you for generously suggesting that I have in any way been "gentle and patient".......given how many times I've yelled at you!!!! :) A blissful time indeed and the blessing are too numerous to mention. Heartbeat......I fixed your spelling mistakes as well......now go to sleep!! (it's 2.25am in Bahai!) ---- :Author: ~Diane T.~ (CCAL30) :Date: Mon, 05 Feb 2007 20:19:51 PST Appreciating and enjoying all your appreciations... especially Gayle Roger's delightful sharing which is so entertaining... you are bringing much laughter and joy to the viewers. Thanks so much for being so candid and light about this! I love the small appreciations and the human touch all of you bring to this Appreciation Board! ---- :Author: Liz ~ healthy water for the world ~ :Date: Mon, 05 Feb 2007 21:18:48 PST Happy to have you here in the Appreciation Board with us, **Gayle**! And happy to read Ashis' appreciation of you and all the good that you do. His appreciation made me smile and your post made me grin.;) Keep on appreciating and posting! ---- :Author: meadowlea (CCAL30) :Date: Tue, 06 Feb 2007 01:57:28 PST :Modified: Tue, 06 Feb 2007 18:25:25 PST I would like to show my appreciation for John Karanja's contributions by highlighting an event that is close to his heart. It seems Omidyar.net is sponsoring an amazing empowering gathering in Gulu, Uganda. John is expressing his generosity by putting in a great deal of time and effort to reach those who would most benefit from the event. To make it possible for those without funds to find their way there from other parts of Africa, John has a donation link in his profile. You can go to this link to read up on it and perhaps to follow the event (I hear it is not too late to show your appreciation of him in yet another way!): http://www.omidyar.net/group/africa/news/30 :) B ---- :Author: meadowlea (CCAL30) :Date: Tue, 06 Feb 2007 07:35:15 PST In further appreciation to Pam and Pierre Omidyar, I would like to acknowledge their continuing generosity of time and resource and foresight in creating the phenomenal event this month in Gulu, Uganda. I am moved by those who reach far from home base to what may be less familiar territory to effectively extend a hand spanning distance and culture. It takes know-how, courage and heart and inspires the rest of us to rise to the occasion, whatever that may be for us, because over and over again, Pam and Pierre Omidyar have done that. B ---- :Author: Liz ~ healthy water for the world ~ :Date: Tue, 06 Feb 2007 07:35:46 PST I appreciate **Love**. Love is all. Each day I discover this in my life journey. The thinking, the feeling, the darkness, the light. Love is all. The mind, the body, the soul, the spirit. Our best, our worst, our joys, and our sorrows. Love is all. The awareness, the denial, the conscious and unconscious. You, me, them, us. Love is all. I appreciate **Prayer and Meditation**. I embrace the divine energy that prayers give to all. I embrace the clarity of mind, abundance of heart, the joy and serenity of spirit that meditation brings. Let us welcome our mind chatters, fears, hurts, and look at them with compassion and curiosity. Universal spirit. One. Love. The more I learn and know, the more I don't know. I appreciate the mystery and beauty of life and love. ---- :Author: Brian Lewis (CCAL30) :Date: Tue, 06 Feb 2007 07:49:25 PST I was thinking about my first school teacher--Mrs. Edgerton. I can still remember the excitement I felt when she wrote the letters b and d on the blackboard and asked all of us to repeat: "B" and then "D"--we all repeated the letters. She then wrote the letter e in-between the letters "b" and "d" and drew a line across the top connecting the top of the circular part of the "b" with the top of the "e" and the top of the circular part of the letter "d". She then said that we could look at that line connecting the three letters as if it were the top of our bed. And she taught us that these three letters spelled "bed." I was so enthralled and excited that I could read. I am deeply appreciative of all my teachers throughout school and life...they taught me how to read and so much more. Thank you Mrs. Edgerton and all of you. ---- :Author: nmw :Date: Tue, 06 Feb 2007 09:21:34 PST Brian Lewis said: Hi Norbert--reminds me of the post I made in the Love discussion asking if it is possible to love someone else if one doesn't love their self. (context: the nmw_ "appreciation" page) Yes, this was one motivation for creating this page. Another motivation -- the *primary* motivation -- is something I know only a little about (I think people speak of "interpersonal psychology"). What goes on here is that people have an "image" of themselves in the context of their environment (i.e. people or whatever that are a part of their environment). Likewise, the people who belong to the context / environment of the said person also have their own "self" view and also their own "other" (context/entvironment) view. So this page is an attempt to **integrate** *my view of myself* with *other views of myself* (of course this will only work if/when the "others "play along"). I started with the attribute "humility", but other attributes could be added just as well. I hope editing this page is not too difficult -- I find making tables "look nice" is sometimes a little difficult on omidyar.net. In case anyone else has a suggestion for how to format this better I would be happy to hear it. The one part that really "sucks" about the way it's formatted now is that I can't figure out how to make two lines of text appear on one row. :) nmw ---- :Author: Phyllis Hurley (CCAL30) :Date: Tue, 06 Feb 2007 13:51:22 PST Brian Lewis said: I am deeply appreciative of all my teachers throughout school and life...they taught me how to read and so much more. Thank you Mrs. Edgerton and all of you. Brian, since I have been in the field of education for over 20 years, primarily in the elementary school, I will say thank you on behalf of Mrs. Edgerton and all of us! It is so heart-warming to hear appreciation like that! And Mrs. Edgerton sounds like a wonderful teacher! ---- :Author: Liz ~ healthy water for the world ~ :Date: Tue, 06 Feb 2007 18:20:49 PST :Modified: Tue, 06 Feb 2007 19:04:06 PST I wholeheartedly appreciate my sister **Marissa Garcia**. Her selflessness, helpfulness and compassion for people are well-known by our circle of extended family and friends. Her home is always open for all of us and the warmth of her hospitality, nurturing, and her great cooking are beyond description. Her generosity of spirit is something to emulate. As an art therapist, her unstoppable fountain of creativity and brilliance make her a source and resource for many other artists. The spirituality she paints reflect her inner self. Her life is about giving whatever she can and has. I deeply appreciate the unconditional love and friendship that my sister, my other siblings and I have - (there are 10 of us)!;). We have gone through the peaks and valleys of life, and there is nothing like a sister who is always there for you no matter what. She is someone I cry with, confide in, play the guitar and sing with, choreograph dance moves with, share my most outrageous experiences with. And most of all, I smilingly appreciate the very special sense of humor she has and the wonderful fond memories we share that can keep us laughing so hard and keep us so bonded even more. What an awesome gift you are in my life, sis. You already know, I appreciate you and I love you dearly. ---- :Author: Brian Lewis (CCAL30) :Date: Tue, 06 Feb 2007 18:36:25 PST Hi Phyllis--you are most welcome and I should say thank you to you too! My wife is a second grade teacher who comes home every day with lovely stories about "her" kids. I had that experience about 55 years ago and I can still remember the thrill and excitement of learning...you are blessed to be a teacher. ---- :Author: JS : ) >+=> (CCAL30) :Date: Tue, 06 Feb 2007 19:47:54 PST Eye would like to show my Eyextreme Appreciation for RicHARD Makepeace, who's series of Heartfelt and humorous messages Brightened my morning with Positivity and laughter! Thank you, Rich! You Really ^plifted me TODAY!!!!!!! *Positively, JS : )* ---- :Author: Samuel Musyoka (CCAL30) :Date: Tue, 06 Feb 2007 21:19:24 PST I appreciate the founders of ONET for enabling people of different faiths,believes,origins to meet and chat on this NET freely and as brothers and sisters without borders. It's through ONET that I met David Frayne who found it worthy to come and see how we live in Africa. I appreciate David Frayne."Coming together is beginning,keeping together is progress and working together is success". ---- :Author: meadowlea (CCAL30) :Date: Wed, 07 Feb 2007 08:19:07 PST :Modified: Sat, 10 Feb 2007 15:38:37 PST I would like to once again appreciate D. Diane Tai. It is an enormous thing to take a project like this on. I appreciate her sharing her administrative talents to make this possible. I love the opportunity she has extended to me to strengthen my appreciating "muscles." Everyone in my life is benefiting from this. I love that she is such a good receiver as well in allowing the assistance and support of all those who are doing that. If I start to list the names of all the people who are lending a hand to the project, I fear missing someone extra valuable, so consider yourself included. As I implied before, if you are reading this, you are supporting the project, and we appreciate you! It takes REAL COURAGE to take on projects of the magnitude Diane does. Most of us have no idea how Diane is feeling from day to day and during those times when the going gets rough. Of course, she hides it from most of us because it doesn't lend to the project. We too easily forget what the challenges she faces might be like and what she goes through to maintain this project. I send you all the love and well-being wishes we can imagine over and above what you are able to imagine, Diane. We love you and appreciate you and wish for you that light and understanding fall in all the cracks and crevices along the way! B ---- :Author: meadowlea (CCAL30) :Date: Wed, 07 Feb 2007 09:13:39 PST :Modified: Wed, 07 Feb 2007 09:15:16 PST [Duplicate from the Appreciation Blog] My insight for today is that the amount of hurt, confusion or anger I feel toward someone is the amount of love I feel for them that I am not willing to acknowledge. I acknowledge today the profound love that I have for my sister. I hold our relationship in the light for wholeness and well-being to be known and felt between us. That thought of wellness between us means warmth in the heart of everyone in my family, and extends way beyond even that. We are both beautiful beings and talented in very different ways. We represent two aspects within myself and my larger family that are struggling to find peace together. The first point of view works within known parameters, focuses more than the other on comfort and safety, wonders, "Why do things that would put one at risk?", is primarily grounded within a time and space point of view. The other point of view is passionate, experimental, extremely sensitive and loyal to a calling outside of time, space, and perceived rationality. I appreciate the challenge my sister has offered for me to clarify my boundaries with love and understanding, to develop new communication strengths, to feel self-confident and valued in the face of direct challenge, and to love beyond what I ever thought possible. She is the one who agreed to look really really bad to me in order to assist me in developing soul characteristics that I otherwise would not have taken on. In reality, she is a tender, beautiful, gentle, generous and divine soul. I welcome the unexpected form of love that is being showered on me from her. I hasten the day when I have developed strength enough to breathe and laugh with gratitude whenever I think of what she was willing to go through for the sake of my soul development. B ---- :Author: RicHARD ~The Anointed One~ Makepeace (CCAL30) :Date: Wed, 07 Feb 2007 17:21:43 PST JS : ) >+=> said: Eye would like to show my Eyextreme Appreciation for RicHARD Makepeace, who's series of Heartfelt and humorous messages Brightened my morning with Positivity and laughter! Thank you, Rich! You Really ^plifted me TODAY!!!!!!! *Positively, JS : )* God, I must make the water molecules dance and cringe. I don't even know what "one appreciation" means. Real honest sincere appreciation must be like the breath in every thing WE do all the time without thinking. And IF eye is correct: WE is all one anyway, so this is only one appreciation. The same one I started in 1970, since I lived the first eighteen years of my life without any real appreciation of life and its treasures. I appreciate `Diane T`_ for tickling my brain like `Mrs. Edgerton`_ invaded Brian's young mind. Believe it or not, I didn't know eyeclectic was JS who was really John Stone. You can certainly see how someone would appreciate so much rapid learning, condensed into so little space. Oh, my god, another epiphany! WOW! The gods are good to **US**!!! I really appreciate John Stone for succeeding where I failed with the `no negative`_ thing. Although, I'm not sure that it wasn't more pleasing to think that JS, eye, and John Stone were three separate entities. I have no clue how I brightened THEIR day. Finally, I must apologize to Diane T because it is my habit to pay for my posts, but I have no points to give her. And I really, really wanted to post here -- a lot!! .. _`Diane T`: http://www.omidyar.net/group/appreciation/news/3/23/ .. _`Mrs. Edgerton`: http://www.omidyar.net/group/appreciation/news/3/61/ .. _`no negative`: http://www.omidyar.net/group/conference/news/60/ ---- :Author: ~Diane T.~ (CCAL30) :Date: Wed, 07 Feb 2007 21:40:20 PST nmw said: I appreciate myself_ ;D nmw .. _myself : http://www.omidyar.net/group/appreciation/ws/nmw I am so glad you do, it is a very healthy sign. And it makes our job as a friend much easier. You have so many wonderful qualities and you do so much so generously for others, I am soooo glad to hear that you appreciate yourself so I know you can accept our appreciations. ---- :Author: ~Diane T.~ (CCAL30) :Date: Wed, 07 Feb 2007 21:50:55 PST Appreciating B. Horst We admire and appreciate Barbara Horst's talent in communications and expression! She has a special magical touch and can bring special joy to others, being so gifted, open, sensitive, observant, mature, evolved and aware. Thank you very much for your appreciations and for your important work in supporting this approach by being the light of the world. ---- :Author: RicHARD ~The Anointed One~ Makepeace (CCAL30) :Date: Thu, 08 Feb 2007 22:21:40 PST I appreciate all of you giving me points, but keep in mind that I just throw points around frivolously. Then I have to answer **ALL** them mails! Thankx, RicH ---- :Author: Liz ~ healthy water for the world ~ :Date: Thu, 08 Feb 2007 23:27:40 PST Richard...I just appreciate and enjoy giving points to generous givers like you. Have fun giving them around.;) And I do appreciate your great sense of humor, your warmth and your candor. ---- :Author: RicHARD ~The Anointed One~ Makepeace (CCAL30) :Date: Thu, 08 Feb 2007 23:33:52 PST Aw, hell! I hate to double dip back-to-back, but Diane sent me a PM that said: "When we say one each, we mean if you have 3 persons you want to appreciate, instead of putting them all in one, it is much more powerful to give the full appreciation to one person where possible, and then do a separate appreciation for the second person." The moment that I read that sentence, I guess it could be called a sentence, anyway, when I read it, I thought: *Damn, Ii gotta go over there right now and write an appreciation for my FIRST and BEST omidyar friend, Debbie Gleason.* MY next thought was *It's too damned late to be over there writing appreciations -- even for Miz Deb. Go to bed, Knucklehead!* Yes, I really do talk to myself like this **AND** I find no harm in calling myself a *knucklehead* because it is exactly like calling myself a carpenter, or a writer. It's way better than calling myself an X-Marine. Although Debbie Gleason was my first omidyar friend, she was in a close heat with Sue Braiden and the rest of the `Estrogen Army`_ ALL of whom supported me in my early days here, when folks was telling me people couldn't talk like Ii talk. Ya'll need to know that *have-to* thoughts are exactly the sort of thoughts that I least like to have. On the other hand, being able to appreciate `Debbie Gleason`_ is just the sort of thought that I most like to have. Debbie Gleason is monster cool. She's full-on smart, and savvy as an old drill sargent. One of the best writers on the Web. Maybe in the English language. You all probably think that I exaggerate, but I am only calling 'em like I see 'em. Debbie is a great Mom. A wonderful, gentle, uplifting wife and one of the most supportive tender people that I've ever met. She is fiendishly funny and more clever than a goblin by half. She knows lots of stuff too. And she'll share with you, which is important. She is patient and loyal and very very strong. She has supported me since I first come to omidyar and has helped me out of more jams on this site than anyone else. I love Debbie Gleason -- even IF she questions my definition of love. No, I love Miss Deb, especially -- because she questions my definition of love. RicH Finally, I beg forgiveness for this not being a worthy appreciation and blame the late hour; I'll do better when I'm refreshed. Love R .. _`Debbie Gleason`: http://www.omidyar.net/user/u174815450/ .. _`Estrogen Army`: http://www.omidyar.net/group/estrogenarmy/ ---- :Author: RicHARD ~The Anointed One~ Makepeace (CCAL30) :Date: Thu, 08 Feb 2007 23:35:20 PST Elizabeth A. Garcia-Gray said: Richard...I just appreciate and enjoy giving points to generous givers like you. Have fun giving them around.;) And I do appreciate your great sense of humor, your warmth and your candor. You touched me, Doc. Thankx R ---- :Author: Samuel Musyoka (CCAL30) :Date: Fri, 09 Feb 2007 01:07:26 PST To you all,of all the things we wear,your expression is the most important.What a wonderful thread! ---- :Author: kayiwa fred (CCAL30) :Date: Fri, 09 Feb 2007 03:56:18 PST richard i do appericiate your ways of teaching grammer ---- :Author: meadowlea (CCAL30) :Date: Fri, 09 Feb 2007 04:48:06 PST :Modified: Fri, 09 Feb 2007 04:49:38 PST Richard, I'm rather partial to chuckleheads. Pop in whenever it occurs to you. Make it more often than not. Go ahead and make foolishness out of our gravity. You make us fly. ;) ---- :Author: meadowlea (CCAL30) :Date: Fri, 09 Feb 2007 04:57:28 PST :Modified: Fri, 09 Feb 2007 04:59:12 PST kayiwa fred (Do I call you Fred?)- Welcome to the Appreciation Project! We appreciate new contributors! It enriches our experience whenever someone new chimes in. B ---- :Author: RicHARD ~The Anointed One~ Makepeace (CCAL30) :Date: Fri, 09 Feb 2007 11:08:46 PST kayiwa fred said: richard i do appericiate your ways of teaching grammer Grammar, Fred, Grammar. Then your teachers will know that you are serious. Unless, of course, ya just wanna piss them off, then I use gramma instead of grammar. That little trait actually got me kicked out of two very good grad skools. But forcing grammar on **US** is really a lot like being **OUR** Little Old Gramma and telling **US** not to go out without a sweater. WE should at least bring a sweater, especially in winter. ---- :Author: ~Diane T.~ (CCAL30) :Date: Fri, 09 Feb 2007 12:10:16 PST Appreciating for Thomas Kriese We are grateful for the very important functions performed by Thomas Kriese and for his very kind assistance in answering our questions without a huge legal bill. He made our day when he clarified the terms of engagement and we are happy and reassured by his response. Many members of Omidyar have very high respect for Mr. Kriese so they refer many questions to him. We appreciate his generosity in responding promptly in spite of all his other many responsibilities. Thank you very much Mr. Kriese! With appreciation, D. Diane T. ---- :Author: RicHARD ~The Anointed One~ Makepeace (CCAL30) :Date: Fri, 09 Feb 2007 17:59:59 PST B. Horst said: Richard, I'm rather partial to chuckleheads. Pop in whenever it occurs to you. Make it more often than not. Go ahead and make foolishness out of our gravity. You make us fly. ;) Oh, yeah, I'm a chucklehead too. *For sure and for real!* That don't bother me none! Chucklehead qualitites go hand in hand with knucklehead qualities sometimes. Though it is much, much harder to be a chucklehead with any sort of consistency: That's why so many comedians are addicts. Knuckleheads and Chuckleheads **BOTH** have qualities necessary for making peace. *AND* sometimes those qualities differ. I do not assault your gravity; I do not even mock those who are concerned with their own seriousness to the point of mistaking pomp for circumstance. I play and have **FUN**!! Having **FUN** at play is really the **ONLY** way to be serious, in my opinion. "Blessed are the little children . . . suffer them to come unto Me . . . except as a child . . . et cetera, et cetera, ad infinitum!! Like Popeye says, "I yam what I yam." My life is devoted to getting all of **US** to see that **WE** are in the same boat: One Family, One Tribe, One Race, One Earth. I just choose *NOT* to suffer for freedom and cooperation. I suffer for enough already. I think that **WE** are certainly at a grave point in **OUR** humyn history, but **WE** been in tough places before. Ii believe that **WE** will do what **WE** have always done: **WE** will band together, in cooperation, and **CHANGE** OURselves, just enough to solve the problem. I appreciate Albert Einstein: "No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it." -- Albert Einstein ---- :Author: meadowlea (CCAL30) :Date: Fri, 09 Feb 2007 22:10:09 PST :Modified: Sat, 10 Feb 2007 11:12:34 PST Well, it a-muses me, Richard. You came onto the scene at the absolute prefect time. I was aware of grabbity and wondered what might lessen the grab, and then dah dah! Up you show! Your devotion is quite honorable, oh priceless jester. Pray tell, is there an appreciation in the merry delivery above? There is another little box in the "APPRECIATION BLOG (sm): for your insights, visions and comments along the way..." that may be more amenable to these thoughts hovering above the beam. If it does not pain you too much to categorize your responses to such a degree, may I invite you to merrily row the One boat over there if no specific appreciation is inherent within the liveliness? Or perhaps you may choose to edit the post above highlighting the appreciation within for easy recognition. Most graciously, B ---- :Author: Harold Cameron :Date: Sat, 10 Feb 2007 12:06:38 PST I appreciate Omidyar. Being part of this community has been a most positive and empowering experience for me. ---- :Author: Debbie Gleason (CCAL30) :Date: Sat, 10 Feb 2007 14:37:37 PST :Modified: Sat, 10 Feb 2007 14:38:33 PST RicHARD... RicHARD... RicHARD!!!! I appreciate this big bear of a man 'cause he IS RicHARD. He's given me one of the greatest challenges. Teaches me every time I will LET him. Exasperates me to the core. Causes me to cry, "Uncle" but still come back for MORE. More, please, sweet RicHARD. Loving you is one of the easiest and most natural things I've ever done. But occasionally damned near impossible. No matter what, he shows me all the time the Importance of Being RicHARD. And reminds me of the Importance of Being Debbie. ---- :Author: meadowlea (CCAL30) :Date: Sat, 10 Feb 2007 14:49:28 PST :Modified: Sun, 11 Feb 2007 14:06:54 PST Welcome to the Appreciation Project, Harold Cameron, and thank you going right to the heart of the matter with your appreciation! The Appreciation Project doors are wide open and it's warm inside. :) B ---- :Author: meadowlea (CCAL30) :Date: Sat, 10 Feb 2007 14:57:52 PST :Modified: Sat, 10 Feb 2007 15:01:15 PST A warm welcome to Debbie Gleason! Thank you for helping to grow the Appreciation Project and for being both the fun-filled subject and offerer of an appreciation. :) B ---- :Author: RicHARD ~The Anointed One~ Makepeace (CCAL30) :Date: Sat, 10 Feb 2007 17:36:07 PST Why, B?!? In the appreciation above, I clearly appreciate Einstein, chuckleheads, and knuckleheads once again. I'm a very appreciative fella in a weak, camouflaged kinda way! I used to be Camus-flaged. I probly need to be camo-flogged. Miz Deb, thank you for the kind words, once again, I do not deserve them, but I truly appreciate your thought and just flat out wonder why you still put up with me at all. I love you, RicH. ---- :Author: meadowlea (CCAL30) :Date: Sat, 10 Feb 2007 17:59:15 PST :Modified: Sat, 10 Feb 2007 18:13:41 PST Yes, flog him with camo(uflage). Richard, I appreciate you highlighting the appreciation therein for those of us too easily distracted by all the surrounding rapid-flow INSIGHTS and for doing it in such a happy and friendly and helpful way, by the way. :) Yes, and on second notation, I notice you also bless the children, which is a COMPLETELY appreciation - appropriate thing to do and for helping us all understand it within the context of camouflage, which we otherwise surely would have missed. And thank you for taking all that TIME out of your very busy day to explain all of this to those of us who may be a bit slow to catch on. :) B RicHARD *Sacred & Profane* Makepeace said: I clearly appreciate Einstein, chuckleheads, and knuckleheads once again. I'm a very appreciative fella in a weak, camouflaged kinda way! I used to be Camus-flaged. I probly need to be camo-flogged. ---- :Author: Liz ~ healthy water for the world ~ :Date: Sat, 10 Feb 2007 18:07:07 PST I appreciate knowing you, **Debbie**. And I hope to see you in Canton. You were one of the first O-netters who kindly welcomed me here with your feedback and support. You made the site friendly and warm. And I agree with Richard. You are a talented writer. And I appreciate the way you open your heart out to us. And thank you for your very insightful posts in the Love thread. And sharing with us about you and your family in such a heartwarming way. Here's a big hug for you. ---- :Author: Debbie Gleason (CCAL30) :Date: Sat, 10 Feb 2007 20:27:07 PST You all are making me blush like a big ol' blushie thing. I appreciate people like Liz and RicHARD who appreciate me. And Mistah RicHie, I put up with you 'cause you put up with me. Cuts both ways, brother. You have seen the woman behind the curtin. You are a tremendously generous and bighearted man. And like it or not, you deserve me. I do more than just put up with you. I interact with you on a very deep level, and then, when I still don't get the message, I bang my head for a real long time against a foamrubber wall. After a few hours of that, the lessons sink in. Sometimes I get egg on my face in the process, but it's all good. ---- :Author: meadowlea (CCAL30) :Date: Sat, 10 Feb 2007 21:01:41 PST Dear Debbie, I like the way you express yourself in language I can see. "Big ol' blushie thing." "Bang head on foam rubber wall." Very descriptive. :) I like that you tell us you like being appreciated. Be careful with that, because you might get more than you bargained for and get a blush you won't forget! I'm glad you have such a good friend that you're comfy going deep with, and I just love it that you keep on posting!! B ---- :Author: ~Diane T.~ (CCAL30) :Date: Sat, 10 Feb 2007 21:37:11 PST Appreciating Ted Ernst I am impressed with these memorable words by Ted from his blog and would like to share it with you all here: "my purpose...is to share with others that change is possible, it is to see the best in those others and invite them to see that best in themselves as well. Small things. Seeing the best in myself so that I can act toward others with … A gentleness. A kindness. A clarity about what I see as the best in the them. Isn't this like beautiful and profound poetry? So many people have expressed admiration for Ted and for his technology capabilities. My associates and I wish to express our gratitude again for Ted's timely assistance. When we were in a bind, he was the expert we turned to. Again and again, thanks very much Ted! ---- :Author: ~Diane T.~ (CCAL30) :Date: Sat, 10 Feb 2007 21:43:43 PST Appreciating Barbara Horst A lot is going on in B's life (Barbara's), yet B is here generously supporting and thanking all of the participants of the Appreciation Project. Thank you very much B for your valuable pioneering contributions to this Appreciation Project. We enjoy reading your delightful appreciations and comments! ---- :Author: ~Diane T.~ (CCAL30) :Date: Sat, 10 Feb 2007 21:52:27 PST :Modified: Fri, 16 Feb 2007 15:48:38 PST Appreciating RicHARD ("sacred and profane" makepeace) RicHARD really has a wonderful and generous heart and such an amazing sense of humor! Yet underneath it all, I have discovered huge reservoirs of wisdom and profound insights! His unique style is refreshing.... Thanks RicHARD for your gifts of many smiles and HA HA HA, HE HE HE, HO HO HO laughs! . ---- :Author: ~Diane T.~ (CCAL30) :Date: Sat, 10 Feb 2007 22:22:04 PST Appreciating Julie Caldwell Julie is a very generous, kind, open minded, sensitive, humble and gentle person. Her posts are very well written and informative. She has the training, background and skills to contribute a lot in transforming many lives in a variety of settings. She is a valuable member of this community! We hope to collaborate with her in the future. ---- :Author: ~Diane T.~ (CCAL30) :Date: Sat, 10 Feb 2007 22:44:33 PST Appreciating Pam Omidyar My associates and I would like to express our appreciation for you being the awesome person you are and for your outstanding leadership and support in many important areas. We have met so many wonderful people through this Omidyar.net community. It has been a fascinating, educational and enjoyable experience. We are grateful for your important role in making this possible and for your continuing support. We serve on many boards and committees in Washington D.C. If my associates and I could be of assistance to you or to Mr. Omidyar in any way in the future, we would be honored to do so as volunteer members of your fan club. With appreciation, D. Diane Tai ---- :Author: Liz ~ healthy water for the world ~ :Date: Sun, 11 Feb 2007 10:03:30 PST :Modified: Sun, 11 Feb 2007 10:59:02 PST I appreciate **Michael Maranda**. Michael has been one of the most helpful and supportive people on our site. He does a lot of good for many and he does so quietly and respectfully. His bigheartedness is shown by the way he greets and welcomes many of our newcomers, an action that many of us have learned to do and emulate. His generosity is well known by the support he gives to uplift causes he believes in and in the manner he gives random acts of kindness to many through his comments and points. He encourages many of us in our projects adding very helpful ideas and insights to our threads. I appreciate how Michael took the initiative to create a basecamp tool for the StopWDI team under HealthyWater. This provides us a concentrated and focused tool for many of our work and to organize our to-do list so we can move forward with our cause. Thank you so much for this in behalf of the StopWDI crew! What a fantastic thing to do. I have enjoyed dialogue with him regarding melding the issue of StopWDI with media reform, digital connectivity and collaborations. Michael is courteous, gallant, and kind in his interactions with many of us. I see him as bright, diligent and compassionate and I greatly appreciate his many contributions to Omidyar.net. He makes O-Net a very comfortable place to be in as I've seen him put himself out in the line of fire in more than many heated discussions that affected many of our newbies and others. An emotional human shield. It is no wonder that he is appreciated and loved by many in our site. May you and your family enjoy peace, joy and much love, Michael.;) ---- :Author: meadowlea (CCAL30) :Date: Sun, 11 Feb 2007 10:18:27 PST :Modified: Sun, 11 Feb 2007 11:45:16 PST Harold (Cameron), referring to your post on the Appreciation Blog, you are inspiring! Thank you for telling your story. You have a lot to offer in terms of helping people move their focus from the hustle and bustle of life that can be comparatively addictive and dry to what it is that truly enlivens us, which is acknowledging the people doing the work for us immediately around us who we so often take for granted. You show that people who can make that point the best, if they are willing to, are those who have been through all that you've been through...that you still have something precious to live for and that it is that. Thank you for being true. I encourage you to make a copy of your appreciation of the community service people you mention on the Appreciation Blog and move it to the Appreciation Board here. ---- :Author: Liz ~ healthy water for the world ~ :Date: Sun, 11 Feb 2007 10:18:34 PST Appreciating **Jean Russell**: Jean has been a delight and a joy even from the first time I signed up with Omidyar.net. Her comments and responses have been full of candor, wit, and warmth. She is always ready to nurture, serve and help whenever she can. Her Light radiates throughout our site. Very brightly. I enjoy the way she has integrated Omidyar.net in her life, attending conferences and visiting many of our O-Netters along the way. I appreciate the way she shares the stories of her life journey with all of us, showing much openheartedness in what she does. I appreciate the talks we've had, Jean. About many things that matter in this life. Your supportiveness is beyond measure and well-appreciated. You have so much to offer our world through your talents, skills and the many good things you want to accomplish to help make the world a better place. I am happy that you're happy. People like you deserve love, joy and happiness in all your endeavors. You are a lovable person who gives much love out there. Keep up just being YOU! ---- :Author: Liz ~ healthy water for the world ~ :Date: Sun, 11 Feb 2007 10:37:32 PST :Modified: Sun, 11 Feb 2007 12:29:18 PST In appreciation of **John Stone - JS (EYE)**: I believe that this is a great day to appreciate our EYE, our JS. One only has to read EYE's profile to realize quickly what a compassionate, loving and kind man he is. Who but EYE would take the time to be with our homeless and champion their inner strengths and beauty. Who but EYE can take photographs and help people learn a spiritual view of the world. Who but EYE can go right to the heart of the world - in the most symbolic heart of the world - to share his Love and Light to the melting pot of the world. It has been a joy to share thoughts and experiences, my friend. You are also a "Phoenix Miracle" indeed. A tribute to those who transcend their own ashes to give hope, compassion and love to others. I thank you for organizing our Canton, Ohio gathering April 13-15. Our O-Net "Love train" will surely be there to get people on board to make GOoD things happen. Hearts coming together. I appreciate your steadfast faith and the way you gently and kindly share your love of God to us all. Thank you for showing the world that there is always Beauty and Light within us and outside of us. You are a gift, a brilliant treasure for the world. ---- :Author: Ashis Brahma (CCAL30) :Date: Sun, 11 Feb 2007 10:41:37 PST Appreciating Ravi, Ravi takes time to help people focus on those things they really want to achieve in life. An admirable cause which is provided with patience, wisdom, humor and diligence. Ravi thank you for being Ravi HAPPENEERING RULES ---- :Author: Michael Maranda (CCAL30) :Date: Sun, 11 Feb 2007 11:22:01 PST I appreciate those who have gone before, and I appreciate that a number of them have gone and come back or otherwise remained in touch. I appreciate being appreciated, I am sure we all do. I appreciate a sense of wonder here. Love to all. ---- :Author: Liz ~ healthy water for the world ~ :Date: Sun, 11 Feb 2007 11:30:30 PST Michael, I appreciate " love to all ". ;) ---- :Author: Liz ~ healthy water for the world ~ :Date: Sun, 11 Feb 2007 11:53:39 PST :Modified: Sun, 11 Feb 2007 12:21:21 PST I am on an appreciation roll now, and it feels great!;) My appreciation and gratitude to **David Bale**. I appreciate you, David, for being a perfect gentleman and excellent StopWDI team-mate. And most of all for your sincere desire to serve this world and the more disadvantaged. Your World-Wide Connectory (WWC) is an inspiration for us all. It is a wonderful idea to help solve global poverty. I reflect upon the many PMs, discussions in StopWDI, and interactions we've had. You consistently show your respectfulness, kind reflections and helpfulness in our collaborations. I especially love the way you help us hone things down and reinforce our abilites to put things down to brass tacks so we can focus our minds towards our goals. I particularly relished you sharing with us the photos of your loving family. That photo with your grandkids is utterly precious! That gave me a big smile. Even the times when we discussed issues, you maintained your positive regard for us all. Your beautiful SBS photographs say a lot about you and your love of Nature. And your interactions with all of us clearly show your basic love of mankind. ---- :Author: Jean Russell (CCAL30) :Date: Sun, 11 Feb 2007 12:18:02 PST :Modified: Sun, 11 Feb 2007 12:22:46 PST A deep thank you **Liz**. I am honored by your appreciation...very much so. I would like to appreciate each person I have interacted with here individually...and collectively... It is a gift to read the words people share, their stories, their visions. And the people who have inspired me and changed my life in small and large ways--would take pages and pages to describe. My hope is that I have shown my appreciation and gratitude each day, though there is always room for improvement. Liz, I especially appreciate how you reached out to care for me very early in our friendship, offering to hold a healthy open space for me. I also appreciate your ability to share my joy with me. Thank you for your friendship, your warm heart, your consistency, your passion, and your generosity. Inspiring. **Debbie**--thank you for holding a space for me to talk when I was at a real low point. **Michael**--thank you for being my friend and my mentor. I would not be active on this space or with these people without you. **Diane**--thank you for spreading love and inviting me in. I would also love to appreciate **Evonne Heyning** who has inspired me with her wisdom and openness the whole time I have been here. She is bold and heartfelt, wise and honorable. **Anne Marie Bellavance**. I would not be here without you. Anne Marie has supported me, encouraged me, pushed me, championed me, and caught me when I have fallen. She is love and light and trust and courage and sparkle and gratitude. She has taught me friendship. She is indeed my coffee bean sister. I would also like to appreciate **Christina Jordan** who has made me aware of just how much one person can do to share love and make the world a better place. She is brave, brilliant, witty, determined, and extraordinarily generous. Wow, I could go on and on and on with the amazing people I have met here like **Arthur, Brian Lewis, Ted, Jim F., John Stone, RicHARD, Linda N., Gina, Jessica, Mark, Lars, Luke, Gerry, Martín, Phil, Mickki, Susan, Greg, David F., David Bale, David Braden**...and on and on and on... See: http://www.omidyar.net/user/u488700722/news/34/14/ for my pointed approach to appreciation. ---- :Author: meadowlea (CCAL30) :Date: Sun, 11 Feb 2007 12:58:06 PST In appreciation and welcome to Michael Miranda: It is my custom to welcome new people to the Appreciation Project with a friendship point or two if I haven't already given them all away. I see you have been quite generous with yours by your unexpected acknowledgments and that they will be well used. Thank you for your contribution to the Appreciation Project and for being of such value to the Omidyar community. I heard through the grapevine that you are a vital force within the community. It is an honor to have you here. B ---- :Author: Michael Maranda (CCAL30) :Date: Sun, 11 Feb 2007 13:11:19 PST I appreciate being invited and welcomed. :) ---- :Author: meadowlea (CCAL30) :Date: Sun, 11 Feb 2007 13:13:31 PST Welcome to the Appreciation Project, Jean Russell! Thank you for your honorments and for contributing to the beautiful flow of this board! Don't be shy; Come back to say hi! :) B ---- :Author: meadowlea (CCAL30) :Date: Sun, 11 Feb 2007 13:22:15 PST :Modified: Sun, 11 Feb 2007 18:37:27 PST It seems each time I talk with D. Diane Tai, I go away more inspired. Her vision is as enormous as it is benevolent. With her laser focus on the upliftment of all, she has the determination, skills and contacts to bring it all into reality. It is a real blessing to have found contributing to the ongoingness of this Appreciation Board and related projects as an outlet for my energy. B ---- :Author: Debbie Gleason (CCAL30) :Date: Sun, 11 Feb 2007 15:03:52 PST Debbie--thank you for holding a space for me to talk when I was at a real low point. I am glad that I was able to be sufficiently perceptive, Jean. I don't always figure these things out. And you are very welcome. ---- :Author: Debbie Gleason (CCAL30) :Date: Sun, 11 Feb 2007 15:15:28 PST :Modified: Sun, 11 Feb 2007 15:16:11 PST Liz, Just went back and reread your post about Michael. Michael is an exceptional man. He never ceases to surprise, delight and amaze me. He's very intelligent and gifted. And one of his gifts is seeing to it that people like me are not left by the wayside. Thank you, friend, for carrying me on along. **Gerry** --- People who have met me have heard me talk about how he downright insisted that I participate. Dragged me screaming and kicking, as I'd much rather remain in my curmudgeon cave. Just when I am certain that I have nothing really much to contribute, he assures me that I most certainly do and then I feel obligated to share that with everyone else. Oh, rats. Gerry can make me twitchy, as I am sure I make him pretty twitchy, too. But he has made my life richer. I have to be nice to him. He knows all my secrets, all the skeletons in my closet, and where all the bodies are buried. Damn it. ---- :Author: Michael Maranda (CCAL30) :Date: Sun, 11 Feb 2007 15:43:02 PST We appreciate that there is always room for more bodies. :) ---- :Author: Debbie Gleason (CCAL30) :Date: Sun, 11 Feb 2007 16:09:06 PST You want to help me dig the Panama Canal? ---- :Author: David Bale (CCAL30) :Date: Sun, 11 Feb 2007 16:24:58 PST Thanks Liz for your very kind words. I certainly do appreciate them. After all there is little that any of us appreciate more than plain simple appreciation. Unless, perhaps, it is that we may most appreciate appreciation when it is appreciation of when we are being most appreciative. And that reminds me that I failed to be appreciative at all in October 2006 when the `time for appreciation`_ was `due`_. I shall have to make sure that I make time in April 2007. I only hope it doesn't clash with another Onet Funding Project! ;) .. _`time for appreciation`: http://www.omidyar.net/group/community-general/news/1026/?searchterm=private%20honours .. _`due`: ---- :Author: Ashis Brahma (CCAL30) :Date: Sun, 11 Feb 2007 16:34:46 PST I Appreciate Diana Tai, We all like to be heard and recieving appreciation is amongst the best things that can happen to you. Thank you for giving the visiojn of something seemingly so simple but often forgotten. ---- :Author: Harold Cameron :Date: Sun, 11 Feb 2007 17:17:06 PST Helen Keller wrote, "We could never learn to be brave and patient if there were only joy in the world." How true that is. Thank you for your kind words. Thank you for your affirmation of my tremendous trials recognizing that I have been tried as though by fire, and yet I am still here; ready, willing and able to serve my world. You are truly beautiful people who bring greater joy and meaning to my life. Thank You. To YOUR success! Regards, Harold Cameron, Chief of Helping People, HaroldSays ---- :Author: Harold Cameron :Date: Sun, 11 Feb 2007 17:21:14 PST I appreciate my three sons. Their deep and abiding love and devotion to me have made my sometimes difficult journey all the easier to bear for I know that I have not been alone. Also, I know they have been watching me to see how I handle adversity and trials longing to learn the secrets of my years of experience which they can apply to their youthful experiences. They do not always understand, but they listen, and in the listening there can be learning and a better understanding of just how beautiful we are as souls-as people-and thus learn how to love and help each other even more. Peace be unto you all. Harold ---- :Author: Harold Cameron :Date: Sun, 11 Feb 2007 17:54:05 PST Hello, I was asked to move this over to this appreciation board. So, here goes... "Appreciation can make a day, even change a life. Your willingness to put it into words is all that is neccessary." Margaret Cousins Despite the fact that in the past year and a half I have lost my father, was burned out of my home and lost everything I owned by a mentally ill man I still care for and lives with me now, developed 2 brain tumors, my sister who is mentally ill decompensated and ended up on our doorstep after nearly dying from 2 strokes, and having lost my job-that I loved and passionately enjoyed-due to being disabled from the brain tumors, I am grateful for life. I am grateful for my Creator who lovingly orders all things for my life to make me better and not bitter, stronger and not weaker. It is in his design that I become a better person because of all of these life events. I appreciate this wonderful and most blessed community of people at omidyar for their help, support, and insights that will enable me to be a better social entrepreneur and helper of people. Thanks! To all of your success! Regards, Harold Cameron, Chief of Helping People, HaroldSays.com ---- :Author: meadowlea (CCAL30) :Date: Sun, 11 Feb 2007 18:17:09 PST I wish to appreciate one of the most unconditionally loving people in the world. People who work effectively with pre-school children are like the salt of the earth, and Rachel has had a lifetime of experience in that area. I have known Rachel for over 31 years. She is the sort of person who it is very difficult to do anything wrong around. She creates a space of safety that has inspired and sustained those around her. Others have noticed her exceptionally generous, heartful and innovative qualities that have made such a huge difference for racial relations in her town schools. She has been widely acknowledged on a national level. http://www.petrafoundation.org/fellows/Rachel_Yoder/index.html Rachel wears her honors with an unassuming grace. She's modelled a special flavor of kindness that I have emulated all these years. She is a quiet, steady ally of the soul to a degree I am not sure she is aware. Her unconditional kindness has made the difference for me at a number of crossroads in my life. Bless you dear Rachel for the courage and kindness you've shown to so many all these years and may you be richly blessed in return. ---- :Author: Eddie S. (CCAL30) :Date: Sun, 11 Feb 2007 18:18:25 PST Appreciating D. Diane Tai I appreciate Dr. Tai for having a positive personality and a willingness to coach people to be motivated and more successful in their careers. I have known Dr. Tai since the 1970s and she has been very helpful in giving me guidance in my career. She has helped many many people and is highly regarded in the community. Her projects have always been very successful and beneficial to everybody. We are happy that she introduce us to Omidyar.net. ---- :Author: meadowlea (CCAL30) :Date: Sun, 11 Feb 2007 18:56:43 PST I would like to welcome David Bale to our gathering around the warm fire of love. Take off your coat and stay awhile, David. It is an honor to have someone with your level of commitment to the well-being of all among us. B ---- :Author: meadowlea (CCAL30) :Date: Sun, 11 Feb 2007 19:04:28 PST :Modified: Sun, 11 Feb 2007 19:05:47 PST Dear Eddie, Thank you so much for hopping aboard this love train and for helping to power the engine! Thank you for offering more solid reasons to have confidence in Diane's project from an up close perspective. I look forward to getting to know you better as I'm sure we all are. B ---- :Author: JS : ) >+=> (CCAL30) :Date: Sun, 11 Feb 2007 22:31:53 PST :Modified: Sun, 11 Feb 2007 22:54:41 PST Eye appreciate Elizabrit : ) for the lullaby! *Positively,* *JS : ) zZzZzZz* ---- :Author: Julie Caldwell (CCAL30) :Date: Sun, 11 Feb 2007 22:47:37 PST I appreciate the oceans of Buddhas, and the ocean of Buddha fields upon every single atom in the universe... To all you Buddhas, I offer praise! ---- :Author: Liz ~ healthy water for the world ~ :Date: Sun, 11 Feb 2007 22:50:21 PST Okay now...Eye appreciate Eye for his eye for beauty and for his "Love Train" fest in Canton, Ohio in April. Everybody start singing now... ---- :Author: David Bale (CCAL30) :Date: Sun, 11 Feb 2007 23:40:06 PST :Modified: Mon, 12 Feb 2007 01:42:13 PST With such an appreciative audience here, can I re-post this this here and ask whether anyone wants to add anyone who has been `Unknowingly Unforgettable`_ to our growing Appreciation List? **I mean add here preferably, not in the old redundant Unknowingly Unforgettable thread** It is 1966 and England is gripped by World Cup fever. Yet even while England is winning the premier football trophy for the one and only time, I am employed by Gallup Poll during my undergraduate summer vacation doing a household survey in a socially deprived area of North London. It is the first time I have become so immersed in the practicalities of so many lives and I am quite shocked by the low morale, loneliness and misery I find at almost address I visit. Earlier in the day I have had to explain the mundane reason for my visit to an old lady who is overjoyed to have her first visitor for fifteen weeks and is distressed that I have to leave so soon. It is a racially diverse area and I meet embittered racist whites living alongside, but not interacting with, confused, angry and non-comprehending non-whites. Everywhere is noise, shouting, poverty, cynicism and fear. Then, late in the second week of interviewing, towards the end of the afternoon, I come, most unusually, to a half-open door. Mostly, doors are kept firmly shut, and opened reluctantly, if at all. From inside the small apartment I can hear nothing other than a Mozart piano concerto. This is so refreshing and such a pleasant surprise at the end of long, tiring and rather depressing day that for a moment I forgot to knock on the door. I am still standing there, somewhat amazed, when the householder comes back to close his front door. He is a rather short, slightly built man with pleasant manners. He greets me in a friendly fashion and listens to why I've come to call. He invites me into his home, which is clean but scantily furnished. His seven year old son is sitting at the table quietly reading. They have fewer household possessions than even some of their poorer neighbours, but what they do possess is an almost palpable peace and contentment that radiates throughout the room. I learn that he is a lone father whose wife has died. He has resigned his well-paid job and moved to his present flat so that he can continue to look after his son. "Its bad enough that he's lost his mother," he says. He has found work as a meter-reader for a public utility, and that leaves him free to pick his son up from school in the afternoon. They had not long got home when I called. The household interview proceeds smoothly. He is, it seems, the only contented resident in the whole neighbourhood. He speaks with understanding and sympathy about the plight of many of his neighbours. He is confident that community relations will improve. He is happy. So is his son. 39 years later, I can still see him sitting in his welcoming room with his contented son across the room, busy in his own small world. This has always been a powerful statement for me of the virtues of simplicity, loyalty, adaptability, hope and fatherhood. He and his son could have no idea of the impact that their oasis of peace and contentment, amid such noise and rancour and social divisiveness, has had upon my whole outlook on life. That open door symbolised everything: that there will always be an honourable way forward, that beauty can overcome bitterness and that electing to live a humble and simple life can best preserve the truest values of childhood. *edited for formatting and request to post here* .. _`Unknowingly Unforgettable`: http://www.omidyar.net/group/community-general/news/1007/ ---- :Author: ~Diane T.~ (CCAL30) :Date: Sun, 11 Feb 2007 23:52:33 PST Appreciating David Bale Thank you so much for the above inspiring story. We are thinking along the same lines. I think you have a terrific idea of sharing "unknowingly unforgettable" stories. Thanks for your participation in the Appreciation Projects. Maybe we can collaborate since we are referring to the same nourishing and inspiring thoughts in different languages and words. ---- :Author: David Bale (CCAL30) :Date: Mon, 12 Feb 2007 01:46:48 PST Yes, Diane, lets collaborate. That is what I was intending to say. I've added to my post the suggestion that anyone who would like to share any unknowingly unforgettable experience should share it here. Is that all right with everyone? ---- :Author: Phyllis Hurley (CCAL30) :Date: Mon, 12 Feb 2007 10:30:45 PST David, that is a wonderful and most inspiring story. Thank you so much for posting it! ---- :Author: Samuel Musyoka (CCAL30) :Date: Mon, 12 Feb 2007 20:19:05 PST I appreciate Julie Caldwell for her support and inspirational messages and her efforts in The Emerging Futures Network.God Bless. ---- :Author: ~Diane T.~ (CCAL30) :Date: Mon, 12 Feb 2007 22:35:21 PST David Bale said: Yes, Diane, lets collaborate. That is what I was intending to say. I've added to my post the suggestion that anyone who would like to share any unknowingly unforgettable experience should share it here. Is that all right with everyone? Reply: David Bale, People could share their story in BOTH places if they wish to make sure others see their interesting life stories. Thanks very much for collaborating with us since your passion about this subject is just what we love. We would like to hear your comments also on the other discussions within the Appreciation Project, such as Archway PingPong Games, and Why Appreciate? With appreciation for your fine contributions, Diane ---- :Author: ~Diane T.~ (CCAL30) :Date: Mon, 12 Feb 2007 22:57:35 PST :Modified: Mon, 12 Feb 2007 22:59:23 PST Appreciating all the contributors to this Appreciation Board(tm)! Thank you all sooooo much for your wonderful support and contributions! I am very happy and moved to see all your heartfelt appreciations. Your messages will be treasured and held close to our hearts. Please continue to touch others with your memorable Gifts of Appreciation! You are making a difference and your appreciations will be long remembered by many of us. You have helped to strengthen the joy and friendship in this community! Thanks very much! With appreciation, D. Diane Tai ---- :Author: meadowlea (CCAL30) :Date: Tue, 13 Feb 2007 07:15:54 PST :Modified: Tue, 13 Feb 2007 07:27:10 PST I want to appreciate D. Diane Tai, Richard Makepeace, Elizabeth Garcia-Gray, and all the others I haven't worked quite as closely with yet, but will, for being such wonderful people to work with. While I appreciate the luxury of leaving the administrative details to Diane and others she relies on since she has such a good track record with all that, she gives those of us who are playing along with her lots of room to play and experiment with new ideas and contribute what it is we do best. We can count on being acknowledged for that too. That is my favorite way of spending my time - playing with new development ideas that uplift myself and humanity and being acknowledged for my contributions! And playing and contributing and acknowledging and being acknowledged we are! I can't think of a better way to spend my time than to build a community of people who are sending heartful energy to each other in this appreciating, confidence -building way. It kind of chokes me up. *sputter sputter* :) B ---- :Author: Liz ~ healthy water for the world ~ :Date: Tue, 13 Feb 2007 19:35:33 PST :Modified: Tue, 13 Feb 2007 19:41:41 PST I appreciate **Jim Fussell**. Jim, you have been such a dedicated activist for the Sudan cause and I am proud of you for that. Your posts have been respectful, helpful and informative. You have been gently supportive to many of us and I know you work so hard and I enjoy your collaboration with incredible people like **Gabriel Stauring and Esther Sprague**. What I appreciate about you most is your kindness and mindfulness. And I was delighted when you posted the Youtube of "Love is the answer" in the Love thread. Loved it! That song is so awesome and I've shared that with my family and friends. Now we hope to meet you in Canton, Jim. JS was happy to know that you are most hopefully going. Keep on doing what you're doing. You make dedicated activism a joy. Thank you. ---- :Author: Liz ~ healthy water for the world ~ :Date: Tue, 13 Feb 2007 19:58:01 PST I can not ever tire of appreciating **Phyllis Hurley**. You never seize to amaze me, my friend. You went through your strokes and heart surgery like a fearless trooper. I want to know how you do that. Your faith is strong. And you have the love of a wonderful family and lots of friends. I deeply appreciate your gentle and warm friendship. Knowing you helps me focus on what are most important in life. Most of all, your consistent supportiveness and loving ways sparkle through all the threads. You opened your home to me and I instantly felt like a part of your family. You and Jim are such bright, caring, and warmhearted people. Your son Andrew is such a wonderful young man and so loving to your grandaughter Sylvie. And Leigh is just lovely. I enjoyed seeing all the things you did for the school you helped build. You and your friend Dennis did one heck of a job. I also appreciated Jim's tips for creating home ponds. This is just to let you know that I appreciate you very much and I am so happy that you are in the pink of health again. And please extend my loving appreciations to your family, Phyllis. I love you and I feel blessed to have you as my friend. ---- :Author: Liz ~ healthy water for the world ~ :Date: Tue, 13 Feb 2007 21:21:50 PST I appreciate **Haney Armstrong** with a smile on my face. Haney has always been there for us when we needed him. When we needed help for the Stop WDI he was always there, in good time, especially when we were forming our team and during the fund-raising. It was always terrific for us when , like magic, Haney would teach us what to do, help us with links, answer questions that required the patience of a saint. Believe me, the team members asked him question after question after question . Most of us in our team were not techies. So you can just imagine. And we learned. And we worked hard. And we grew to be a miraculously solid team who accomplished what we set out to do together. Thanks for your support and help in all that. So, Haney, what I am saying is that I appreciate your patience, kindness, and sense of humor in your posts. Your presence makes O-Net feel like someone is looking out for us out there. Muchas gracias, Haney. ---- :Author: meadowlea (CCAL30) :Date: Tue, 13 Feb 2007 22:37:42 PST Another reason I appreciate this board is because appreciating creates the value in life that I live for. When I appreciate, I create my reasons for living. Not to appreciate is to slowly (or quickly) die. Thank you again, D. Diane Tai! B ---- :Author: meadowlea (CCAL30) :Date: Tue, 13 Feb 2007 22:38:45 PST Yippeeee!!! We're growing a family! It's great to have a happy family. Thanks for inviting me into your family, Diane! B ---- :Author: Liz ~ healthy water for the world ~ :Date: Wed, 14 Feb 2007 05:43:41 PST :Modified: Wed, 14 Feb 2007 05:46:16 PST **HAPPY VALENTINE's DAY**, everybody! I appreciate you all and I appreciate **LOVE, LIFE and LAUGHTER**. May Valentine's Day shower us all with much Love for one another. Thank you **Diane**, for your brainchild - The Appreciation Project. ---- :Author: meadowlea (CCAL30) :Date: Wed, 14 Feb 2007 06:04:49 PST :Modified: Wed, 14 Feb 2007 06:08:15 PST Ohhhh, yes! Thank you for putting it all in that context!! Yes, yes! Of course! Thank you for being my Valentine, Liz and all of you, and I am surely yours forever! B ---- :Author: meadowlea (CCAL30) :Date: Wed, 14 Feb 2007 06:07:09 PST I wish to appreciate Norbert's *clear* and creative thinking here; http://www.omidyar.net/group/appreciation/news/8/ and for starting this new, thought-provoking thread. B ---- :Author: meadowlea (CCAL30) :Date: Wed, 14 Feb 2007 06:11:22 PST I wish to appreciate Harold Cameron's infectious confidence in himself and life and for being willing to create value where most people do not consider to look deep enough to see it. ---- :Author: Liz ~ healthy water for the world ~ :Date: Wed, 14 Feb 2007 06:18:30 PST I appreciate **GAYLE ROGERS**. Gayle is one of those very thoughtful, supportive and delightful people who never fails to show her love for people in many ways. She was the first to reach out and wished me safe travels to Chad in her own kind way. And again, she sends me her best wishes for my travel to Uganda tomorrow. That kind of positive energy and spirit radiate a sense of warmth and joy during my travels. And Gayle, I appreciate and thank you for our heartfelt conversation about life in general when I was in NYC. I wish that we could have met at that time. What I enjoy about you is your great sense of humor and quick wit. And I appreciate your steadfast supportiveness and friendship with Ashis who is now in the midst of a precarious situation with the refugees. Your brightness and compassion are evidenced by all the wonderful good things you do out there; like your active stand for the Sudanese and especially for your work with those with disabilities and your work in Vietnam. Thank you, Gayle. May you and your loved ones have much love on Valentine's Day and always. ---- :Author: meadowlea (CCAL30) :Date: Wed, 14 Feb 2007 07:17:05 PST :Modified: Fri, 16 Feb 2007 04:04:34 PST I wish to appreciate my father, Samuel L. Horst for being the loving man that he is. Dad, it is no wonder that your whole community adores you. You have spread your love around to everyone just about without exception like garden seeds. Your caring attention to those who you felt deserved more than they were portioned is something I will never forget and that I will always honor you for. You have turned each of your challenges into an opportunity to grow and deepen your love. You have loved each of your children way beyond what you ever thought possible even when you thought you could no more. Your loving and kind nature will be remembered forever. I believe you have more than pleased the one who matters the most to you and that you are sitting in good repute within the nurturing care of our delighted Creator. ---- :Author: meadowlea (CCAL30) :Date: Wed, 14 Feb 2007 07:32:12 PST :Modified: Wed, 14 Feb 2007 07:33:47 PST I would again like