Spread Holiday Cheer to Families in Need (Los Angeles, Maui, & Portland)

BEAUTIFUL BROWN FAMILY (Los Angeles, CA)

In May 2008, we had the opportunity to help a homeless family in the L.A. area: the beautiful Brown family with Quentin, Anita & their 4 teenagers (Shannon, Mary, Raven, & Quentin). I told them on-stage that they are not alone & that we would be here to help (see the videos here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkHRJ92ob_w) Months later, they remain the same upbeat & hopeful family, and still no home & many challenges. The good news is Quentin has a job now as a security guard at nights working Fri-Tues. Anita, who was a nurses assistant (I think) is still seeking work. They’re temporarily staying with a relative in Los Angeles and are waiting to hear on an apartment, but no luck yet on the home-front after months of looking.

It remains to be a growing experience for all of us & Nolan & I are committed to be there for them and share their story with you, so together we can support them in creating a better life.


If you have resources or gifts please call Quentin at (562) 704-7093 and you can mail to:
Quentin Brown
2725 W. 54th St.
Los Angeles, CA 90043

Keep in mind that Quentin has limited cell minutes and also if offering a job to Anita or the kids, remember they only have one van for transportation.

The Browns are in need of:

**Three Bedroom home/apt for $1200-$1300 (in the southern CA area, close enough so Quentin can drive or take the train to work in Los Angeles)
**Gas cards for the Van
**Van maintenance/repair
**Gift Cards for Groceries
**Part-time work for their teenagers (need holiday help???)



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KARYNE CIMONE - Best Choreographer Ever (Kahului, Maui)


In '96 I debuted my first album, In Search of Faith, with gorgeous dancers, slammin' choreography & a head-set & all for me - I was doing the Janet Jackson/Madonna thing. Karyne Cimone was the choreographer that brought my music to life through powerful dance & movement. Since then, she has moved to Maui with her sweet hubby, Gino & 3-yr old daughter, Kanani. We've recently connected & I'm looking forward to collaborating with her on future projects because I just LOVE her choreography & the spirituality that flows through her work. As always, she is vibrant with creativity, music & dance and is now looking to work specifically with youth on the island. Karyne has soooo much to share with the world, but like many families now, they are struggling to make ends meet & they are in need of kokua (loving help & support). Specifically they need:


**Dining room table & chairs
**Bed for her & Gino, bed for Kanani
**Financial Support (for gas, groceries, pay for the registration of her car, etc.)
**Guitar (for Karyne to learn to play songs for her ministry with the toddlers/youth)


Please email me at faithgroover@hotmail.com if you live on the island and have any of this for them, or would like to donate - I'll forward you their current address.


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DAVID YORK - Composer, Choral Director/Founder of Feed Your Ears (Portland, OR)


David was the awesome music director at the Living Enrichment Center when I first started in the "new thought music" world. His support has meant the world to me in creating what has become an amazing career sharing my inspiring music. He currently serves as the music director at http://www.ntmo.org/ & is a conductor/composer with incredible choirs like the David York Ensemble http://www.feedyourears.com/. David has impacted thousands of lives through the power of music & most recently, released a stuning recording entitled Apollo & Hyacinth, a ballet for chamber orchestra & harp.


Just this October, after a freak landslide destroyed his family's home, David, his partner Chris & son Josef, are having a most challenging time with no home & no financial support from their insurance company. Please consider lending your support in the following ways:


York/Korsgaard Family Relief Fund:
Bank Of America,
Hillsdale Branch
6309 SW CAPITOL HWYPORTLAND, OR 97239
503.275.1335
Open M‐F, 10‐6 and Sat 10‐1


-or-


Purchase David's "Apollo & Hyacinth" album
http://cdbaby.com/cd/davidyork


From David:
"Several friends have proffered the idea of holding a benefit concert, or a series of concerts, to assist with legal fees and unexpected living expenses caused by our being dislodged. Ideas are just now being formulated. If you'd like to assist, please send a note to: help@FEEDyourEARS.com."

A Bigger God

(this is my submission to http://charterforcompassion.com - submit your own story)

I grew up in the Catholic tradition & really experienced my faith through music as I played piano & sang for all the masses at my all-girls Catholic school in Hawaii. I remember one day as a teenager when I found out one of the girls in my rock band was not Catholic. In fact, she did not go to any church at all. This totally confused me since I thought she & her parents were some of the coolest people in the world AND they did not practice any religion. Or another time, I remember in class once, it made no sense to me why folks, who for example lived in a remote jungle, somewhere, and did not hear the cluster of letters that spelled J-e-s-u-s, were condemned for all eternity. I knew then that there were limits to my current religion or belief system, that did not sit right with my heart. I just knew that God & we are bigger than that…right?

I am happy to say that my spiritual seeking has led me to the New Thought/Ancient Wisdom teachings found in Unity principles (www.unity.org) and Religious Science or Science of Mind (www.religiousscience.org). The first time an artist friend asked me to sub for him to do the music at a Religious Science church, I thought it was so weird that they were meditating (though now that is a part of my daily practice). It really got me though when they began to read from the bible, then the Koran, then poetry by Maya Angelou, then ancient Buddhist text & a diversity of resources that shared inclusive, empowering wisdom. I had found a belief system & a compassionate community that celebrates & honors all faiths & all peoples, including those that don’t practice a specific religion. I am so grateful that in the New Thought/Ancient Wisdom teachings there is no lid on the box of God, in fact there is no box & we are constantly challenged to live & practice with spiritually open arms.

This is the new world we are co-creating & it begins by keeping that lid open, so we can ask if our current beliefs serve us and where we want to go. By continually asking, allowing, & opening to a bigger God or idea of life, we cannot help but grow as individuals while uplifting & embracing the planet as a whole. We are called not only to compassion but to celebration as well – celebration in the diversity of our beliefs, cultures, & religions.

Here is an amazing song about a "Bigger God" by Peter Mayer that I recently recorded:
You can hear it on the jukebox at www.faithrivera.com/fr/Home.html

A few more songs of mine that celebrate “A Bigger God”
GOD IS... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZa9BgMKssc&feature=channel_page
COLORS OF PRAISE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SZvF0aVDbA
CALLED TO BE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOOvyNIE_RA

Empowering Election Corner

Rev. Michael & Rickie BB w/ Barack Obama

Remember when we were kids & we couldn't wait to grow up so we could be free to step into our own power & do great things?

Well here we are, older, and I bet many of us still longing to do just that - to make a difference, to step into our greatness, to be bold, to be bright, to create the world of our dreams for ourselves, our family & the planet.

Well this is it - Nov 4th we will collectively choose the course of our future!

This is the moment you've always dreamed of - where your voice will count in immeasurable ways upon our generation & those to follow. It's a goose-bump-makin' time!!! And I have every faith that you & I will make the choice for the candidates & the issues that are in alignment with our vision for a more peaceful, prosperous, kind, & truly different world. (key word: "different," meaning if we want a different world, it will require different thoughts, beliefs & actions)

Below are some great links to explore before election day. Your voice has never mattered more - so sing out, share your truth in the most loving way, VOTE & vision daily on what this new future will look like! Get your shades out - it's gonna be a bright one :)

Funny Music Video

A Million Reasons to VoteAdd your voice & pic to the virtual quilt of why it is so important that we all vote on Nov 4th. See my lil' patch that I contributed

If the World Could Vote See how the world would vote if they could - broken down by countries & number of votes for each candidate

Hear an amazing interview from my fav author, Neale Donald Walsch, on the upcoming election. Here's a link to Neale's blog.

Tell friends to Rock the Vote with Alana Lea's beautiful Peace Art Cards

In Your Face Abraham-Hicks quote"Do not hold these two men or anyone on the planet, responsible for the well-being that comes to you. This man & this man is not responsible for your well-being. You are responsible for your well-being. Give them a break."
See the full video here

Pledge to Vote

Follow Barack Obama on Twitter Hey the future Pres is following lil' old me on Twitter too :)

Nov 4 - Take the Day Off

These Are Rich Times! Really!

Yeah, I’m from planet earth.

I know gas prices have sky-rocketed & the stock market has plummeted. Diabetes is on the rise. Real estate is taking a dive. War rages on while our natural resources are coming to an end. And this is just 30min worth of news.

So it looks bleak & feels even bleaker, but let me burst your pessimist bubble - there is more than a silver-lining here. There is a world rich with love, joy, peace, & abundance for all that is bubbling to erupt and it is your life lived anew that will be the solution – that IS the solution.

Up till now, we’ve collectively & somewhat unconsciously boogied our way to this scenario with our current thoughts, beliefs & resulting practices. This is the world that competition, power over others, “dog eat dog” & “every man for himself” thinking have resulted in. This is not shared for finger-wagging, blame sake, or for guilt – for those things serve no one and really, they’re no fun. It is simply shared as an observation that can point us to experiencing a richer, more intentional, connected way of being in the world together.

Like when you put that rich, gooey, stinky, nutritional pile of compost on your plants – that’s the rich time I’m talking about! So there’s a lot of &$%# going on. Good! So much #$%& that you canNOT ignore it. Good! It means that time is prime for us to change our groove, choose another tune, & dance to something better!

How, you ask?

Well it is not going to be dependent upon which dude is gonna make it to the White House. It is not going to be up to the news you watch, your neighbors, your boss, your family or even your God. This is the richest time ever because the pruning, the watering, the care is all about you & the thoughts, feelings, & beliefs that you hold about the world. It may sound airy fairy to you, but you can’t deny that every action you have ever taken or not taken, conscious or unconscious, has been driven by your underlying beliefs about the world, others & yourself.

What if when you stepped out your door in the morning you knew that life supported you, that there is enough for everyone, that love IS the answer, and that every stranger is a friend-in-the-making? Your day would be different – I promise you, and not because the things, people & circumstances of your day would change (although that could happen too), but because you experience it all so differently.

This is the start of a rich, new world & it starts with us being open to taking a different kind of step outside our door today – the kind of step that embraces the ideas of gratitude, wonder, love, & riches that surprise us at every corner. When we look for it, we will find it. This new world starts with a new you, a new me & it will take daily practice, courage to release those beliefs that don’t serve us anymore, and lots of laughter to lighten the feel of…the compost, shall we say.

Here are some TIPS & RESOURCES for bringing on these Rich Times:


Choosing Prosperity
This is an amazing site that has personally help me to expand my consciousness around prosperity. It has supported me so much that I have tithed back to the founder of this site, who lovingly offers it all for free. Each day you can practice your prosperity muscle on Choosing Prosperity:
· Gratitude Journal – focus on the abundance you do have in your life
· 100 Things List – focus on all the things you want to be, do & have
· Play the Game – receive & spend increasing checks each day & feel the joy of that!

www.KumbayaMovie.com
An upbeat video & song about our power
to create our lives by blessing what is & purposely
using our words, thoughts & actions to create something new.

$1,000,000 Bill
Fun way to affirm your abundance! Jack Canfield put one up on his ceiling before he made his first million. I put it in my money bag when I’m selling CDs. Where you gonna put yours? Get your free $1,000,000 bill or order more to share with other prosperity buddies .

All This & More
A gift for you – a free download of my song about claiming prosperity on every level no matter what the tube or papers are telling us. Click the title to stream the song or highlight & right-click to "save as". I’ll paste the lyrics below.

Smile Cards
Anonymous “pay-it-forward” game that will leave a trail of kindness & generosity

Connect with Others
Type in your location & keywords like “Law of Attraction” to meet with like-minded folks all about abundance for all or join the 100 day challenge to create a new dynamic life

Serve Others
The best way to affirm your own prosperity is to share your wealth of talents, gifts & resources with others. Join this mighty army of givers serving with their special talents.

Empower Others & Yourself
Help move the world from survival mode to sustained abundance by joining Humanity Unites Brilliance – an organization gathering the world’s top transformational leaders & everyday humanitarians like you & I.

Notes from the Universe
There's nothing cooler than receiving personal messages each day from the Universe saying You're all that & more! Yee-haw! You Rock! and more amazing things about you & the wonderful world we live in. Sign-up now for FREE!

Power of the Word (books baby!)
Four Hour Work Week
The Wealthy Spirit
Giving Thanks: The Art of Tithing
Science of Getting Rich

Movies & Videos
Abraham-Hicks on the World Financial Crisis
The Shift Movie (a movie made by a movement)
The Secret (see sample clips on youtube)
The Moses Code or view it online (see sample clips on youtube)
What the Bleep Do We Know (see sample clips on youtube)

********************************************************

ALL THIS & MORE
by Faith Rivera
Available on Maluhia ~ Everyday Peace

So convenient to believe
We are running
Out of time & out of mind
“The end is coming”

Hurry here & fluster there
Threat level rising
“Not enough for us to share”
Man hope is dying

What if the choice lies in my hands alone & I decide
To see things differently and live from this…

CHORUS
I feel joy
I feel good
I feel wonderfully full

I feel love
I feel peace
I feel all this…all

I feel strong
I feel on
I feel bright as the sun
I feel all this, all this, all this, baby & more


I’m so ready to believe
There is something
More than what my mind receives
From the evening news

There’s a power in the wind
The sky & ocean
I’m just starting to begin
To notice

How big & wide is this life if I am brave enough to let
It unfold without the doubt or drama

(chorus)

How big & wide is this life if we are brave enough to let
It unfold with grace & gratefulness

(chorus)

=======

lucky golden cat pic by www.sxc.hu/profile/zenpixel

The Practical Power of Now

Read my first article on

Empowerzine

with tips on experiencing

the Pow-ah of NOW :)

THE PRACTICAL POWER OF NOW

pic by http://www.sxc.hu/profile/ZoofyTheJi

Facing Your Fears & Singing Anyway!

The first weekend of August, we headed up from the coast to the desert for our first visit to the community of Antelope Valley, CA. I was giving a vocal workshop that Saturday at a local church & then perform with the workshop attendees on Sunday at service & and afternoon concert.As Maggie (our trusty Magellan GPS) told us we were nearing the church, all we saw was flat desert land & lots of sand. We thought for sure Maggie made a boo-boo, but as we kept driving on what seemed like a lonely road, there on the right painted warm white was Unity of Antelope Valley, our destination & the place where inspiration & magic would happen that weekend!

GERRY KENT

Years ago, even before I had a career sharing inspirational songs around the country, I received an email from Gerry Kent (in the picture above), a fan who had really connected with my music, in particular a tune called "Believe" which had been such a transformational song for him.To conquer his immense fear of singing, he decide to perform "Believe" as part of a project in a class he was taking. With no accompaniment, he stood up in class & with everything he had, he sang "Believe" - jitters & all, he did it!

From there, he started taking vocal classes at the local community college & next thing I know he's emailing me about being in his first theater production. The emails didn't stop there...next time he wrote, Gerry now had leading roles & recently his choir sang at Carnegie Hall! Wow - I was so happy to see how he was growing in his joy & experience of singing! He often mentioned in his email too that he hoped someday we could sing together :)

Well "someday" came this summer...somehow Gerry finds out that I'm going up to Antelope Valley. I didn't even know he lived in that area, so I am surprised to hear that he calls Rev. Nancy (the minister of the Unity Church) and volunteers himself to promote & market the event & really support my entire visit there (down to booking my hubby & I a nice hotel room). We're both mutually excited that after all these years, after being connected through a song, we get to connect in person.Of course we both email each other about singing a song together. I throw out "The Prayer" that Celine Dion & Andrea Bocelli had done & that was on one of my CDs. I know Gerry had done it before, so it would be a killer song for us to do together - big ballad & crowd pleaser for sure. So Gerry says, YES & we're set to finally meet & do a duet together!

Saturday after the vocal workshop, we decide to stay to practice "The Prayer." Gerry seems really nervous & tells me it's fine if I want to cut the song, he's not gonna sound good, he doesn't want to embarrass himself & on & on. We finally practice the song & he makes it through - it's not perfect (for either of us) & it's a high key for him, and some of the melodic lines are shaky, but we make it through.

As we practice a couple more times, I am FLOORED to find out that Gerry has never ever sung "The Prayer," as I had thought. Neither does he study with a vocal teacher nor did he have any help on this very difficult song. Did I mention that he had to sing in Italian all while soaring up to these high tenor notes? Gerry did not sound like a polished pro, BUT as an amateur singer, he did incredible figuring out his part, learning the Italian, & just blew me away with his "cojones" to take it on, to say yes (despite his fears), & to go through with it.

So there we are Sunday at the concert, Gerry shows up & fears & all he is ready to do this. All I can say is "The Prayer" was stunning & probably one of the most powerful performances I've been a part of...Gerry had not only dreamed of this moment (to sing with lil' old me) but he stretched & grew like never before by rising to the challenge & the crowd was on their feet with hearts open, tears streaming, clapping & cheering!!!

You GO GERRY!!! What an inspiration you are to me & all the people lucky enough to know you!!!

Two more highlights from my magical desert trip include:

**Being a part of Vivienne Daniel's comeback to music & her passion of singing that she had left many, many years ago while in an abusive relationship. She had seen a poster of the weekend's events & came to check out the church & my vocal workshop. Who knew she'd be doing her "debut" back to singing at my concert with "What a Wonderful World" in spite of her nerves and embracing a new church family that she'd soon be serving as a solosit with her music gifts & skills!

**Experiencing a "No 'Tude" Church...I told Rev. Nancy Oristaglio, their spiritual leader, that I had never been in a church community like this where I felt absolutely no ego, no 'tude (aka "no attitude") & only connectedness, love & support from the minister to the staff to every single awesome person that we met there that weekend. Their sense of service & joy, the way they walked their talk is a reflection of Rev. Nancy & all that she role models with her graceful & grateful way of being in the world! By the way Rev. Nancy is a singer herself, loves music & is so warm & welcoming - this is the place for all closet-singers to get their spiritual groove on :)If you find yourself in the desert area, visit this wonderful community & get ready to face your fears & jump into joy & SING!!! www.UnityAV.org