I've been a very big fan of Karen Armstrong for many years. She is perhaps the world's foremost expert on the three theistic faiths - Islam, Judaism, and Christianity. When 911 happened, the world looked to her to help them understand the dynamics.
Anyhow, a year ago, she won the TED Prize and was granted a wish. She wished the world would come together to write a 'Charter of Compassion - a document that would venture to find common ground in 'all' spiritual and religious practices; the thing we all refer to as 'the Golden Rule'.
So over the past year, religious and spiritual leaders from every imaginable practice have worked together to create this new document. The unveiling of the Charter will be on November 12th. I suspect it will be a document filled with hope and possibility. Honestly, I think it has great potential to change how we all think about religious and spiritual practices, but nothing will happen if we don't read it and create dialogue around it.
As part of the festivities of the unveiling, communities around the world are hosting events and activities to help celebrate. Letterville is an online global community. I'm wondering if we can do something together to mark this day. In New York City they are doing something called, 'Arts of Compassion'. I wonder if we can do something called 'Compassion Art'.
I'm open to suggestions - but for those interested in participating - I wondered about each of us creating a one word sign defining compassion, like Peace, Harmony, Love, or whatever you want. We would photograph them and create an online gallery - inviting the world to have a look.
If you'd like to be included, then I'll suggest that your photograph has to be submitted by November 02, 2009. I'm not all that web savy, but perhaps it's as easy as creating a flicker account gallery, or ....suggestions?
Any takers?
[ October 06, 2009, 11:40 AM: Message edited by: Nancy Beaudette ]
Posted by John Lennig (Member # 2455) on :
Hi Nancy, just the kind of project i like, no pesky work orders or invoicing!
i will be happy to participate.
John
Posted by Noella Cotnam (Member # 9079) on :
I'm in! Karen Armstrong is someone to sit up and listen to... what she suggests is for the good of us all and the world (and each one of us specifically)can't help but be better for following her lead. I want to be part of 'the wave'!
Noella Williamstown, On
Posted by Bob Kaschak (Member # 3146) on :
Count me in!
Sounds like a wonderful idea.
Peace, Bob
Posted by Cam Bortz (Member # 55) on :
Karen was interviewed on NPR a few days ago; her work is inspiring and lord knows the world needs it. I'm in. Posted by Doug Allan (Member # 2247) on :
sounds uplifting!
can I make a few suggestions? OK, just re-read... and suggestions are specifically invited...
funny, because my first suggestion is not to invite suggestions ...ok, not really... but I think with the short timeline, and the nature of on-line anarchy... if you accept suggestions for something like one week, & then YOU take charge, and make the rules, & spell out exactly what to do...
I believe you may get a better response, through a specific call to action, to build YOUR idea, into a reality...
...as opposed to a discussion of a variety of ideas. Too often I've seen good ideas requiring group participation that dissipate into the ethers... because this on-line communication stuff is so ethereal anyway...
Another suggestion is for you to make a new blog, just for this idea. Joe Diaz showed/helped me start a free blog from Wordpress. I had also done a free one from Blogger.
Your Flickr idea is also a viable option, although a blog might lend itself to a nicer overall layout & appearance, without outside branding like the Flickr logo.
Joe showed me a $29 slidshow plugin called slideshowpro, that would make it fairly easy to have all the participants artwork viewable in a slideshow, & the slideshow could start as soon as you have 2 submissions, & could easily be added to, throughout the next 4 weeks.
Last suggestion, if this doesn't go against your main intention... some people could skip making an actual sign & taking a photo, by doing a digital layout instead.
For an end result that so far sounds like it is all about sharing messages of hope through creating an opportunity to view those messages in a digital format, on the net... maybe the challenge should just be to create and submit a digital design... which is a little less challenging for the time frame...
Posted by Nancy Beaudette (Member # 1983) on :
Hey Doug, Thanks for the 'suggestions'! I wondered if the low response was because I posted this as an OT - or perhaps my explanation was a little long winded before actually presenting the challenge.
I think a blog would be perfect. And it was also suggested that a youtube would work too....perhaps both.
Digital work is absolutely welcome. You're right - the point here is to collaborate as an online global community interested in participating in a message of hope and possibility.
I think I'm going to repost this request with a new title....and spell out the 'rules'.
Thanks to those of you who are already onboard. Nancy
Posted by Sonny Franks (Member # 588) on :
I checked out the link and from what I gathered, they are going to unveil a Mission Statement for Mankind - well, OK you wild and crazy compassionate exegetes - count me in..........
Posted by Steve Shortreed (Member # 436) on :
This is a great idea Nancy. Letterheads have always been about People as well as what we do. Barb and I would be very proud to see you guys get together and make this happen.
Posted by Nancy Beaudette (Member # 1983) on :
Thank you so much to those of you who have committed to this so far. I'm really excited!
I'd like to start posting everyone's selected 'word' so there aren't too many repeats.
Dan Sawatsky: Friendship Nancy Beaudette: Listen
I'll post others as I receive them. Your word needs to reflect or encompass the idea of compassion.
Any questions!
Posted by Doug Allan (Member # 2247) on :
I guess I'll take "Aloha"
Posted by Nancy Beaudette (Member # 1983) on :
That's great Doug!
William Picket is in with "OM" Kelly Thorson - "Patience"
Keep 'em coming!
[ October 09, 2009, 02:41 PM: Message edited by: Nancy Beaudette ]
Posted by Mark Baty (Member # 9776) on :
Nancy, Jeanne & I are in. Great Idea. Can I have "RAINBOWS" We saw Maya Angelou just last night and she has an inspiring message about being some ones rainbow to their cloud. Her talk was about an hour long and on several issues, all with a compassionate view.
Posted by Bill Lynch (Member # 3815) on :
Is "Grace" available?
Posted by Sonny Franks (Member # 588) on :
dibs on "Altruism" - to me, that's what Letterheads is all about......
Posted by John Lennig (Member # 2455) on :
I will take TEACH
Posted by Nancy Beaudette (Member # 1983) on :
Fantastic! I love how you all think. More to come?
Posted by Alicia B. Jennings (Member # 1272) on :
Alright, I'm in and my word is the greek word "Agape" with the accent over the e.
Posted by Terry Whynott (Member # 1622) on :
I'll do one with the word "Give".
Posted by Bob Kaschak (Member # 3146) on :
Peace.
Posted by Noella Cotnam (Member # 9079) on :
Ok Nance, and all you wonderful people, my word is 'Lift'
Posted by Ken Henry (Member # 598) on :
I'll take the word "Embrace"
Posted by Nancy Beaudette (Member # 1983) on :
This is going to be so awesome! If you're thinking you'd like to get involved, there are lots of word still available that point to compassion. These are still up for grabs:
Kindness Abundance Faith Love Understanding Hope Trust Believe
Let me know you'd like to do one of these. Nancy
Posted by Neil D. Butler (Member # 661) on :
How about "Empower"
Posted by Sonny Franks (Member # 588) on :
With Kimberly's permission, maybe we could include Al Zanetti's "Love" print in the mix. It's a beautiful design that many of us in Letterville have on our walls......
Posted by Doug Allan (Member # 2247) on :
another vote to set aside the word Love for Al!
Posted by Nancy Beaudette (Member # 1983) on :
Fantastic. If it's ok with Al, it's ok with me.
Posted by Kimberly Zanetti (Member # 2546) on :
He would have been honored. I'm in for LOVE.
Posted by Nancy Beaudette (Member # 1983) on :
So here's an updated list:
Dan Sawatsky - Friendship Noella Cotnam - Lift William Picket is in with "OM" Kelly Thorson - "Patience" Doug Allan - Aloha Bob kaschak - Peace Mark Baty - Rainbows Bill Lynch - Grace Sonny Frank - Altruism John Lennig - Teach Alicia Jennings - Agape Terry Whynott - Give Ken Henry - Embrace Neil Butler - Empower Al Zanetti - Love Nancy Beaudette - Listen
Still waiting for word choices from Gary Anderson, Dan Antonelli, and YOU!
Thanks everybody. I'd like to have photos of your finished project by November 2nd.
Nancy
Posted by Kimberly Zanetti (Member # 2546) on :
Posted by Jon Jantz (Member # 6137) on :
I'll take 'Warm-hearted'.
Posted by W. R. Pickett (Member # 3842) on :
I miss AL!
Posted by Joe Cieslowski (Member # 2429) on :
With Kimberly's permission, I carved this for my wife for mothers day.........
How about one from Fred Self...
Sasekalahewata
Joe,
Makin Chip$ and Havin Fun!
Posted by Kimberly Zanetti (Member # 2546) on :
Joe, That is Fantastic! Thanks for posting it.
Posted by Nancy Beaudette (Member # 1983) on :
YIPPEE!!!! Adding Manfred Didier, Elaine Wallis and Periandros Damoulis to the list of contributors.
There's alot of 'love' being posted on this thread....so here's the question for Kimberly and Joe: which rendering would you like me to use?
Posted by Kimberly Zanetti (Member # 2546) on :
Please use the original PURPLE one. Thank you. I can email you a better picture if you'd like.
Posted by Nancy Beaudette (Member # 1983) on :
Projects have started to trickle in. This is so exciting.
Just a reminder to everyone that I'd like to have your submission in by November 02 so that I can prepare the presentation.
Our Letterheads project has been listed on the Charter for Compassion website for all the world to take note of. Links will be posted once I get everything online. Check it out here: http://charterforcompassion.org/act/events/
p.s. it's not too late to contribute! Don't be shy to ask questions if you're not sure what the heck we're doing.
Posted by Dan Sawatzky (Member # 88) on :
Here's the friendship panel. The different fonts symbolize how different we all are and the wiggly line the winding path we all take through life as we gather friends. The panel was done as a digital design of a routed panel.
-grampa dan
[ October 19, 2009, 10:01 PM: Message edited by: Barb. Shortreed ]
Posted by John Deaton (Member # 925) on :
Id like to take part also. Id like to use the word, "Believe" if not already taken. Posted by Nancy Beaudette (Member # 1983) on :
Welcome aboard John. 'Believe' is all yours.
Dan, you 'word' is wonderful. I like the intention you created with squigglies and letters. Love it!
Keep em coming!
Posted by Frank Smith (Member # 146) on :
Can I have "Faith"?
Posted by Barb. Shortreed (Member # 1730) on :
Ken Henry asked me to post this for him....
quote: I selected the word "embrace" since it has 2 meanings, both of which I feel relate to Compassion. Firstly there is the physical gesture, most commonly known as a hug. That action is most often used to convey affection, support, friendship, or condolance. It is seldom used with malace or aggression. Secondly, it has a philosophical meaning that indicates the wholehearted adoption of a belief, course of action, cause, or lifestyle.
ABOUT THE DESIGN.
The word has been rendered in colours that Native North Americans regard as being sacred, since they are the colours of the races of mankind. The background has a neutral greyscale value so that all of the colours have sufficient contrast to be equally visible. The arrangement of the words, and the distribution of the colours are deliberate, so that all embrace an area of commonality, and each colour is adjacent to each of the others. None are greater than or lesser than each other. .
Ken Henry
Posted by Nancy Beaudette (Member # 1983) on :
Frank, yes, faith is all yours! Welcome aboard!
Ken, your piece is wonderful. I love how your words wrap around to create a visual embrace - this is really well thought out. Thank you!
Posted by Nancy Beaudette (Member # 1983) on :
Here is an updated participant list:
Dan Sawatsky - Friendship Noella Cotnam - Lift William Picket is in with "OM" Kelly Thorson - "Patience" Doug Allan - Aloha Bob kaschak - Peace Mark Baty - Rainbows Bill Lynch - Grace Sonny Frank - Altruism John Lennig - Teach Alicia Jennings - Agape Terry Whynott - Give Ken Henry - Embrace Neil Butler - Empower Al Zanetti - Love Nancy Beaudette - Listen & Open Gary Anderson - Spirit Jon Jantz - Warm-Hearted John Deaton - Believe Elaine Wallis - Love Frank Smith - Faith Manfred Didier - Vertrauen (Trust in German)
more to come....
Posted by Nancy Beaudette (Member # 1983) on :
Periandros Damoulis is on board and is creating the word 'kindness' in greek - Καλοσύνη.
Posted by Kelly Thorson (Member # 2958) on :
Thanks for the opportunity to be part of this Nancy. Posted by Rene Giroux (Member # 4980) on :
Hi Nancy, I just invited myself in.... the door was opened !
The word that came to my mind was 'passion'... then I got thinking and a few more popped out. Well, so many words and one image to create. So when my headhache went away, I was left with this.
Posted by Nancy Beaudette (Member # 1983) on :
Hi Kelly, your Patience, soft and calm - as it should be. Love it.
Hey Rene, what a nice surprise to see this project! Thank you for your 'word(s)'. This could also be a wonderful motto for Letterheads! Nicely done!
Posted by Sunset Regall (Member # 11140) on :
i hope, i hope, i get to do the word, HOPE !
hopefully yours, sunset
Posted by Sonny Franks (Member # 588) on :
I was brainstorming my design on Sunday afternoon when I got a text message from my daughter Jessica, who was in Golden Gate Park for the 40th Anniversary of Woodstock Concert. Rick Sacks had told me they were going to try and break the record for most guitarists playing a song simultaneously - "Purple Haze" with 40,000 lead guitar players. I wish I could've been there (especially since that's the only song I know) but I got a vicarious thrill when I read her text: "Holy Cow, Jefferson Airplane just came onstage".
At that point, I put Surrealistic Pillow on the jukebox and my design suddenly took a definite 60's turn. With a tip of the hat to R. Crumb, Bill Graham, Electric Kool-Aid and Haight-Ashbury, here's Mr. Natural with my word to the world:
And yes, the size corresponds to a golden rectangle...... (see Tony Vickio's post from a few weeks ago)
[ October 27, 2009, 03:23 AM: Message edited by: Sonny Franks ]
Posted by Nancy Beaudette (Member # 1983) on :
Sunset, your hope serves you well....begin!
Sonny, how fun!!!! Ti-dye and everything. Very cool and funky.
Posted by Sonny Franks (Member # 588) on :
Hi Nancy and Friends at Letterville,
I know this will come in under Sonny's name, but I was wondering if I could get on board with an addition to your project. I have a piece I would like to submit that is near and dear to me. My word is 'bridge' if all is ok for me to join in. Peggy Franks
p.s. Thanks for all the prayers and positve thoughts - it's working!!!!!!!
Posted by Kelly Thorson (Member # 2958) on :
quote:Originally posted by Sonny Franks: Thanks for all the prayers and positve thoughts - it's working!!!!!!!
Great News! I'm sure that everyone welcomes your participation Peggy!
Posted by Nancy Beaudette (Member # 1983) on :
Fantastic. I love that word too. Thanks Peggy!
Posted by Jackson Smart (Member # 187) on :
I would like to add the word "NAMASTE"
It has many meanings in different languages...I prefer these:
"I honor the Spirit in you which is also in me."
"I honor the place in you in which the entire Universe dwells, I honor the place in you which is of Love, of Integrity, of Wisdom and of Peace. When you are in that place in you, and I am in that place in me, we are One."
"I salute the God within you."
"Your spirit and my spirit are ONE."
"That which is of the Divine in me greets that which is of the Divine in you."
"The Divinity within me perceives and adores the Divinity within you."
"All that is best and highest in me greets/salutes all that is best and highest in you."
"I greet the God within.
How appropriate to this issue.
Love and Light to all.....
Jackson
Posted by Jon Jantz (Member # 6137) on :
Posted by Nancy Beaudette (Member # 1983) on :
[ October 30, 2009, 02:19 PM: Message edited by: Nancy Beaudette ]
Posted by Sonny Franks (Member # 588) on :
This is a picture of our daughter, Jessica, who became totally enthralled with this fisherman while we were walking on the beach. The two of them had a sort of unspoken communication. This picture, always a favorite of ours, bridges age as well as race.
Peggy Franks
[ October 31, 2009, 09:28 PM: Message edited by: Sonny Franks ]
Posted by John Deaton (Member # 925) on :
Nancy, let me know if you got mine. I sent it to you yesterday. Thanks... Ill post one here later.
Posted by Terry Whynott (Member # 1622) on :
We have lots to Give!
Posted by W. R. Pickett (Member # 3842) on :
Nancy, I emailed mine to you yesterday. Did you receive it??
Posted by Bob Kaschak (Member # 3146) on :
A blanket of peace.
Nancy, I will email it to you also.
Peace, Bob
Posted by John Deaton (Member # 925) on :
Posted by Nancy Beaudette (Member # 1983) on :
Wonderful! I just love this! Thank you so much to all of you. Keep 'em coming! Nancy
Posted by Bill Lynch (Member # 3815) on :
My "Grace" panel being held by my daughter- Grace. This was done like so many projects these days...at the last minute. I had originally another plan...but...I had to punt.The panel was left over from another job, I found a font I like , tweaked it a little, added the clip art doves, also customized, then a fade. Printed this on my Edge and dropped some florentine signgold cut from a scrap, Result, project completed on time (barely) and one happy little girl. I emailed the original pic file to you Nancy. Thanks for a great idea.
[ November 02, 2009, 07:17 PM: Message edited by: Bill Lynch ]
Posted by Doug Allan (Member # 2247) on :
Well, it's not quite 7:30 in Hawaii, so here's my 20 minute special (plus 2 weeks of anticipation )
Posted by Alicia B. Jennings (Member # 1272) on :
Done i n the nic of time
Posted by Frank Smith (Member # 146) on :
![[Roll Eyes]](rolleyes.gif)
![[Applause]](graemlins/applause.gif)
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
![[Eek!]](eek.gif)
...ok, not really... but I think with the short timeline, and the nature of on-line anarchy... if you accept suggestions for something like one week, & then YOU take charge, and make the rules, & spell out exactly what to do... 
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Cool]](cool.gif)
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
) 
n the nic of time
