How have you shared the benefits of meditation?

Keeping all the goodness to ourselves is selfish. Speaking with our voice and our actions are a conduit to share what we have learned.

I participated in a charity fun run today and received a tour of the facility after the race. Monica, the Director of Family Services, walked us around the existing facility, explaining their process for serving the poor and homeless clients that cross their threshold.

After seeing their long-time space, we walked through the new upstairs expansion. The waiting room is spacious, bright, and will provide a much better experience for the customers that come each week looking for basic necessities. The expansion includes areas for education, dressing for success, a computer lab, and counseling.

Monica's eyes were often welling with tears as she explained the remarkably different experience families will now have due to this change. Shame looms heavily for those living on poverty's razor's edge. Visiting this new space, being treated with respect, and getting help will be a blessing for each family.

Ignacio, a new friend I met during the race, works to influence governments to grant land to indigenous peoples throughout the world. He has experienced successes but sees how powerless these people groups are against their governments without influence from the outside world. Ignacio brings the knowledge and expertise of each government's policies to bring about change.

Today's experiences prompted me to think about how you and I reach out to help those that are hurting and share what we have learned.

Meditation is a gift that can restore a proper balance and perspective to the chaos of our daily challenges. My memories of living close to the razor's edge are near. Left unchecked; current trials and memories build and fight or flight kicks into high gear. The dam that restrains cortisol breaks and anxiety floods my body.

If you knew of a homeless shelter, you would tell the refugee. If you knew political policy could help a people group save land for their tribe, you would show them.

You have discovered benefits of your particular meditation practice, and it can help those around you. Now is the time to be the lighthouse to those in need.

Going Further: How do you share your meditation story? How do you build community with the like-minded? How often do you share the effect your meditation? Why have you resisted to talk about your meditation practice? 

What book needs written?

The best books are written, the greatest songs are sung, and the end of the Internet reached. Put your pencils down; we are done.

One side of the brain declares this must be true; after all how many more books, songs and web pages are needed? The other side of the brain states that this is inconceivable, and there is much more to be created.

Who would have thought that a young wizard named Harry would turn the modern literary world on its head with massive book sales.

Apparently, the ways to set"I love you" and "I hate you" to music are legion, as each week new albums are released with the same themes, but new arrangements.

Google estimates the global Internet web page count at about 475 Billion today. There is a margin of error of at least 1; it depends on when I hit "post."

The concept of self-publishing has lowered to barriers to entry for getting your material onto the published page. Our excuses for not letting our voice be heard continues to evaporate.

So, what book needs to be written?

The answer may be your spouse, partner, friend, those leading your tribe, or the one whose teeth you brushed this morning. Asking this inquiry of your community may open up opportunities for a fresh perspective to be brought to bear, and change at least your little corner of the world.

No one ever has been able to bring the same perspective to a topic as you can deliver. It would be a missed opportunity to slip silently away and take your ideas with you. The public awaits to hear your voice as either a writer or an encouraging voice to those around you. Make your voice heard.

Going Further: Where is the literary world silent? What book do you need? What questions have not been answered? How can you contribute your voice? What voices around you need to be heard? How can you support those that need to be heard?