By Brian and Arthie Moore - November 27, 2006

We wish you a warm, safe and happy holiday season and thank you all for a wonderful year.

Although you may be expecting another team-build or diversity newsletter, we begin this month’s newsletter, with a few short and true stories, in the hope that they will wake up a wonderful and powerful giving spirit, amongst the people of our world.

Christmas is a time of giving, but should not be the only time of giving. If we were to step back and look for those people, more in need than ourselves and share a little of what we have to give, we will create a better world.

1) Granny M and the outfit.

2) Sharing simple skills

3) Our pensioners

4) An unemployed lady feeds thousands.

5) What can you do?

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1) Granny M and the outfit.

Our nephew’s grandmother, is a delightful and independent 76 year old widow. She battles to survive on her pension and is not supported any longer, by family members.

She always wears old, or second-hand clothes, and speaks of "making ends meet." When our nephew was selected for the disabled Olympics, she asked if we could help to kit him out. We agreed.

My wonderful wife Arthie, sat and chatted to granny M. As they spoke she worked out that nobody had ever taken this cute lady shopping. So she offered to take her out to buy a new outfit. M answered, "No, why? You don’t have to. It is not for me that we need things - it is for Tyrone."

Arthie replied, "Because you deserve it." The little old lady became very embarrassed and started blushing.

Arthie set the date for shopping trip and M became excited, because she knew then that Arthie was not making false promises.

Arthie takes up the story...

"When we reached the shopping mall, Granny M became very uncertain and withdrawn again.

To our right, was Mr Price and to our left, Milady’s. As Brian took Tyrone towards Mr Price, for his clothes, Granny M began to follow. She was gently guided, in the opposite direction, to Milady’s. Her first and immediate reaction was that Milady’s was too expensive, and that she was quite happy to choose something "cheaper" from Mr Price to suit our budget.

I immediately put her mind to rest and insisted that she buy anything of her choice, regardless of price, from Milady’s. After all, she deserved it and was worth it. Her face suddenly became serene and youthful again and full of joy and excitement. She was practically glowing.

After leaving her alone with the salesperson - for about half an hour - we returned to pay for the clothes. She was beetroot red and embarrassed again, because of the cost of the clothes. The salesperson had added a camisole, to suit the outfit and showed it to me.

Granny M nearly died on the spot, waiting for the sales lady to be rebuked, for adding things to her pile.

Well, nobody was scolded, in fact, we decided to add all the accessories that we could find that matched the outfit, like a beautiful handbag, snazzy sandals, earrings and necklace.

Granny M was overwhelmed and tears welled up in her eyes. Amidst her cries of "I don't need it, don't worry, just the skirt and shirt are okay!", I continuously repeated, "You deserve it, you are worthy and loved!" She slowly began to accept her self-worth and her gift.

We will never forget the experience. The true gift of love was allowing someone to feel worthy of being loved again. Not buying clothes and accessories, but our ability through that giving, to show another person that they are indeed beautiful human beings, who still deserve to be loved."

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2) Sharing simple skills

Although our company specialises in Transformational Teambuilding "www.africa-dreams.com", I have recently qualified as an EFT therapist "www.emotional-freedom-now.com". I am delighted in the way that a simple acupressure technique, can so simply relieve emotional and physical challenges.

At a recent Celebrating Humanity© "www.celebrating-humanity-projects.com"training course, I was asked by a young lady for help. She had a very stiff neck and had seen me working with another member of her team.

She looked very stressed and carried a sadness in her eyes. This seemingly chronic condition had existed, ever since she had a neck operation.

I worked with her, without thought of compensation. Her condition was completely cleared within 15 minutes. When I saw her a week later, she looked so much younger and happier.

She e-mailed me a few weeks later, "Thanks for forwarding the e-mail about (Skills Portal) training awards "http://www.skillsportal.co.za/awards/". Of course I voted for your company. It was really THE best training programme I ever attended. It enriched my life at a stage where I needed it. Thanks so much.

I am also "chuffed" to let you know that I have not had any neck stiffness or pain since you showed me the EFT technique "www.emotional-freedom-now.com". Now I am doing it every now and again, purely for relaxation and to sustain my new inner peace."

For me, that was a great gift, to know that I was able to share a little bit of knowledge and initiate such wonderful relief and personal peace.

When we give, it does not have to be in cash. It can be something as simple as our time, our skills or our caring. Though a little bit of financial sharing, can make a huge difference.

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3) Our pensioners

The elderly lady shuffled her bent body through the supermarket, pushing her little trolley basket.

She stopped at each carefully selected shelf, picking up each desired item in turn, and peering closely to see the price. She then put the item back on the shelf, took out a little note book and calculated the cost, versus what was left in her meager budget. I watched her, lifting the different half dozen packs of eggs, one by one, to see which was the cheapest.

As I chose a pack of eggs, she smiled at me.

She had the most beautiful smile, and one of the most expressive and lovely little face that I had seen. I asked how she was, and she answered breezily, "Very well thank you." Yet again that, 80+ year-old, smile shone like the brilliance of the sun on a mid-summers day.

As I worked my way through the supermarket, selecting what I needed, I saw her stopping, looking and calculating. When I passed her at the frozen food department, and she smiled once more and said, "Just checking what I can have."

I stopped and asked her if she would do me the honour of allowing me, to pay for her groceries. She asked me why.

I answered, "Because you have the most beautiful smile that I have seen in a long time." and she answered again, "Thank you, but why do you want to pay for my groceries?"

I answered, perhaps incorrectly, to this proud and self-sufficient person, "Because I can afford it." She peered into her budget book, looked up to me and answered, "I can also afford it."

I again pleaded for her indulgence, in allowing me to pay. She answered, doubtfully, "We will see."

I had long since completed my shopping, and prepared to wait for her. As she arrived at the cash-out, I pushed my trolley in behind her and told the cashier that I would pay for her groceries. The lady was surprised and still offered her money to pay. The cashier said gently, "Don’t worry - he is paying."

As I walked out the supermarket, she was waiting. "Do you know - I was very embarrassed by what you did. I am very grateful but why did you do it?"

I explained, that I was really touched by her smile and, as my mother was about her age, I decided to treat her as if she were my mother. In Arthie’s culture, all people, as old as your own parents, are treated as if they were your parents. And I said, "Just let you and I for this moment, believe that I am your son, and this is my duty to my mother."

She smiled, as she answered, "I have 4 sons. They are all in Canada."

I responded, "And today I am your fifth son. And I am here." She smiled and relented, and thanked me, as I wished her goodbye.

Her gift, in receiving my small offering, filled me with joy for days. The depth of my happiness and inner peace surprised me. Our elderly have given their lives for us, it is always time to give back to them.

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4) An unemployed lady feeds thousands.

Each year, around about this time, my unemployed mother-in-law gathers her energies, a few helpers and donations to feed thousands of people.

This year will be no different. She will feed the people of Challenge, in Durban. All of them are mentally-disabled to some degree. These wonderfully happy people will make this day their Christmas party and my mum-in-law helps to make it possible.

She will feed many more of the elderly and homeless, on separate days and in two events, in December. And she begins only with her heart, her spirit and her commitment.

We, as members of the family, willingly pile in to help - as veggie peelers and servers. Some of us donate cooking oil, meat, vegetables and salads. And the local business community contributes the rest.

She then prepares and cooks, pots of food that will feed 300 people each. The pots are delivered to the venue and served by volunteers.

The joy and gratitude of the people, some of the latter group are living from hand-to-mouth is tangible. They are treated with all the respect and love that each one of us deserves.

None of them will know that this giving person, labours with severe health challenges. No-one will know, the joy that these days give her.

No-one but her.

And this is all started by one person - one person who actively wants to give.

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If you wish to make contribution, assist or offer some words of support call Bhanu on 0762382510 or 27 31 2060551. Or email brian@africa-dreams.com

The first event at Challenge, in Durban - South Africa, is on 19th December, 2007.

Aids Orphans in Hillcrest - near Durban on 19th December 2007.

Senior Citizens at the Caneside Library, on 22nd December 2007.

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5) What can you do?

• Place giving at the centre of your being. Set aside some time, some gifts, some money, some skills, some resources.

• Get your children to share some of who they are, or what they have with others.

• Get your family/ies involved.

• Send some pizzas to the holiday/ night shifts at your local emergency service/ hospital/ police station, with some caring words.

• Look for someone, who needs help and reach out a hand.

• Expect nothing in return.

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E-mail us for ">more information on our Celebrating Humanity programmes. "mailto:brian@africa-dreams.com

For more free diversity stories and articles. "http://www.celebrating-humanity-projects.com/Celebrate/"

In a recent training course we came across an ex- SA Defence Member, who fought in wars over 30 years ago. He is still phsychologically-scarred by the inhumane acts of both sides.

He acts out of a demonstrably regimental dynamic. The pain of gory death, injustice and terrible fear are etched into his being.

Pulled into the army as a 17 year old baby, he is severely damaged at his core. And he does not know the extent of his own damage. The following article looks at ways of healing the past in our country. His story is only one that could be conlcuded to a degree, in this way....

In our relationship-building work we often come across people who are in pain over matters that happened in the past. Not only the recent past, many people are still affected by events that harmed their ancestors. This pain can be healed but often group belief systems stand in the way of peace.

Africa has a history of incredible harsh acts, programmes and policies by various groups targeting other groups. The British against the Afrikaner. The British against African and Indian communities. African versus Eastern South Africans. The "whites" against the "blacks." The Afrikaner versus the "coloured", "Indian" and "blacks." Clan against clan. One political group against another. There have been far too many to mention.

These events caused a deep-rooted legacy of anger which will not be cleared until the "descendants" lay down the past through apology and forgiveness.

There is a fairly commonly held belief amongst the more traditional African cultures that one's well-being and good fortune is dependent on the well-being of one's ancestors. Should an ancestor still be in pain because of a past injustice his living descendants will suffer. The only way that life can be lived normally is if there is an apology from the "descendants" of the original perpetrators and if that apology is accepted. At this point the living can move on and their lives will become far better.

Thus the apology by the British government to the descendants of a Zulu King, who was buried in manacles and recently exhumed and re-buried a "free" man, has healed the spirits and souls of many South Africans.

In the Northern Province we came across a Pedi man who could not look at any "white" person without feeling aggrieved. He was a young boy when he was caught up in the 1976 Soweto riots, where apartheid forces shot at and killed friends, relatives and neighbours. He watched many people die and still lived with the anger. Two "white" people apologized to him and his relief was visible and immediate.

Zimbabwe’s President Mugabe continuously brings up the terrible British colonial past. He uses his anger and that of his people to build the deep-rooted hatred of the "whites." That Britain is no longer a "colonial" force is irrelevant. The damage has been done and the healing path has not been walked.

Tony Blair and his nation stand now on a "moral" high ground - founded upon centuries of injustice and domination. The result of the injustices will not go away without any action. If the British, through their leaders and Monarch, apologise there could be an immediate reduction in tension.

Yes, it is time for us to lay down our past, but not in the Western way of "let bye-gones be bye-gones."

If we believe that past events were unacceptable and that we can heal the hearts and souls of our fellow humans, we must take the time to publicly apologise for the actions of our ancestors. In order to do so we must accept that even if it was not directly "my" or "your" ancestors who are responsible, in the eyes of those aggrieved, we represent the people/ ancestors who are.

Everyone, including the British government, PW Botha, the "descendants" of those who acted badly in any nasty or violent acts can heal our people/ continent through apologies. In so doing we will have a chance of a brilliant future together.

In closing, we the undersigned, unconditionally apologise to the people of Africa for any pain that I, or my ancestors, have inflicted upon them or their ancestors. We ask them for forgiveness and wish that they are healed with time and that we can find a way to be humans together for a better World.

Should anyone wish to discuss this article, please contact us on 031-2053668, 031 2051364 (Fax) or e-mail us on trainers@iafrica.com.

An article from the Celebrating Humanity archives - December 2001

A regal young Native American man stood before me and asked me if he could sing to me. Deep within my spirit I felt touched, I was in a place of peace that I had never experienced. Dream people, around us, faded away. It was just he and I, as he began to sing, in that majestic and mystical moment.

The song hung in the air like fragrant and colourful blossoms in the wind. It was strange and yet familiar. The tones resonated in his body and the room. It was at once beautiful and peaceful.

The song and the young man’s presence was still with me later on. I asked my wife Arthie if she had enjoyed the singing as much as I did. She did not know what I was talking about. I racked my brain and questioned myself. Was it true? Did it happen?

The singer had come to me in my dreams during June 2001, whilst we were staying at the Roger Williams University in Bristol - RI, USA. My vision had him sing to me in a restaurant overlooking the sea. Somehow I couldn’t shake the reality from my mind. It was far too real to be a dream. At a deep level I knew that it had somehow happened.

I had never met a native American before although my Africa-based meditations, had brought two such people to me as guides.

I am not one for dreams, nor one for sharing them. Yet I shared the story with Arthie and our new friend Nicole Woodruff. In a million years, I would never have believed what the future had in store.

Arthie, our tiny infant Lliam, Nicole, Sarah McLane, her daughter and I undertook a journey to Martha’s Vineyard. A beautiful and famous island on the East Coast of America. It was surreal. I felt like an actor in a play who was able to observe his own role from afar. The ferry, the islands, the people and the hot dogs were reminiscent of scenes from a romantic novel.

When we arrived at Gay Head we instantly made friends. We spoke awhile and shared a few gifts of South African beads amongst the young people. There was something very familiar about the restaurant. Later we moved outside onto the sundeck. There was a steep drop to the ocean. I began to feel a powerful feeling of deja vu. And I knew what had to happen next...

The handsome young Native American man came up to me and said softly, sincerely and humbly, "Thank you for this gift. I have nothing to give in return. All I have is a song for you..." He asked permission to sing..

The sounds and words welled up from deep inside him. His love for singing the words of his ancestors showed in his being. There was at once all of Nature and people around us. At the same time it was just me and the singer. I had been here before, in this place, with this young brave. I was uplifted beyond any place I had ever been. The very world and I seemed to harmoniously resonate in unison.

He sang a song of gratefulness. Gratitude to Mother Earth and to Nature. A prayer of thanks for all that we have. The very breath that we breathe and the sun that warms our skin. Of the people in our lives and the wonders of the world.

It was a gift like no other. I was humbled and honoured. It was his gift of birth and culture. It was a sharing of youth, history and tradition. He told me his name was Noch-ge-hunk, meaning Chief of the Deer Hearted. With practice I pronounced it correctly and he was grateful for that.

The entire experience was like coming home after centuries of loneliness. For the first time one of my night-time dreams had come to pass. My universe has begun to speak to me in mysterious ways. I must listen, watch, wait and accept the lessons.

Brian V Moore©

Here follows a copy of the January 2006 Celebrate Newsletter - sign up here for future editions.

We wish you, your associates, friends and your families a wonderful 2006. This article is intended as a gift for all of you, as you begin the New Year.

As we move down the path of this new year, we leave behind us years of experiences - good, bad and ugly.

It is true that each one of us carries prominent, and sometimes hidden, memories of things that we have done and things that have happened to us.

It does not matter if these memories are good or bad, or even if our mind has chosen to "forget" some, or all of them. It does not matter if all, or any, of the other people "involved" remember "what happened", or what we, or they "did."

It is by these incidents, in our lives, that our judgments and actions are formed. They strongly form the very foundation of our beliefs and behaviours. And they often sub-consciously guide the results that we achieve in our lives.

It here that our relationships and friendships will be strengthened or weakened. It is here that our lives will be sharpened or dulled. It is here where we become victims, or victors. Where we will be prejudiced in our judgments, or open.

Each of these distorting or enhancing lenses, to our view of life, will have been formed in highly emotional times. As such they will be etched into our cellular memories.

Herein lie our fears, our phobias, our cravings, our excesses and according to experts - such as Louise Hay - these are the very keys to our health and happiness. "Negative thoughts and memories can emanate in our bodies as dis-ease."

She further says:- "Over the years I’ve learned that there are really just two mental patterns that contribute to disease: Fear and Anger.

Anger can show up as impatience, irritation, frustration, criticism, resentment, jealousy or bitterness. These are all thoughts that poison the body. When we release this burden, all the organs in our body begin to function properly.

Fear could be tension, anxiety, nervousness, worry, doubt, feeling not good enough or unworthiness. Do you relate to any of this?

We must learn to substitute faith for fear if we’re to heal. Faith in what? Faith in Life! I believe we live in a "Yes" Universe. No matter what we choose to believe or think or say, the Universe always says "yes" to us.

If we think poverty, the Universe says "yes" to that. If we think prosperity, the Universe say "yes" to that. It's up to us! The Universe wants us to experience anything we desire.

So let's say "yes" to all good. Be a "yes" person, living in a "yes" world being responded to by a "yes" Universe."

If you find yourself with some sort of disease(s) that is not listed in (the book) Heal Your Body, become your own investigator and healer.

Ask yourself, is it one of the forms of fear or is it one of the forms of anger? Are you willing to release those thoughts. And replace them with positive affirmations? Loving yourself will also contribute greatly to healing your body, for love heals.

So how do you love yourself? First of all and most importantly: Cease all criticism of yourself and others. Accept yourself as you are. Praise yourself as much as you can.

Criticism breaks down the inner spirit, praise builds it up. Look into a mirror often and simply say: I LOVE YOU, I REALLY LOVE YOU. It may be difficult at first, but keep practicing and soon you will mean and feel what you say. Love yourself as much as you can and all of life will mirror this love back to you."

Local South African training organisation Paradigm Shift Training run Louise Hay courses in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town. (Similarly qualified specialist facilitators are trained by Louise Hay, to do so elsewhere in the world. Check out her website for more info.)

Our family have recently attended a 2 day course and our results have been incredible. There is an incredible peace to be seen in each person, as they handle and clear their own deep seated fears and angers. This is a peace that we all deserve. Including you.

Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT).

Another widely used technique that is bringing almost instantaneous release, to fears and angers, is the EFT technique. It is simple, incredibly effective and can be used for almost any ailment or past trauma.

On his web site - Gary Craig - talks of his recent successes with Vietnam veterans, and various practitioners talk of their own successes with anything from asthma to alcoholism, to fear of heights, to sexual abuse and xenophobia.

Interestingly Gary Craig has never charged for consulting in his field and makes all of his material available at very reasonable prices. In fact, you can get all of the basic information in a FREE 79 page eBook.

Face to face clearing.

I carried a childhood incident - relating to an uncle - for decades. It deeply embarrassed me at the time. And I never forgot!

At every opportunity, as I grew older, I would indignantly ask anyone who cared to listen, "How can a grown man treat a small child like that?"

I was angry for many years. I told, and retold, the story. It gained power and cut deeper into my memories.

Until one day, soon after my fortieth birthday, I cornered him and retold my story...

"How could you treat a child like that I demanded to know?" He looked at me with sad eyes, as he apologised, and said, "I don't remember doing that. I wish I could. Please forgive me, I am so sorry."

As I watched the pain in his face, I felt a deep sadness leave me. I suddenly realised that it was I who should apologise, not him. My understanding grew in a flash.

As a young inexperienced uncle, he had made a silly comment, to a small easily-embarrassed child. He had said it only once. I had repeated it and continuously maligned him for years. He now was the victim of my actions.

As I apologised to him, years of separateness and sadness was lifted from both of us. I could again see him as a person. A man like me, with feelings, aspirations and normal human frailties.

At that moment I set myself free from a tiny incident in a far away dining room, that was embarrassing to a 6 year old. At that time in my life, I did not have the human experience to understand. It was one of the many incidents, that I had taken way past its sell-by-date.

A great way to start each new year, is to go to those who you have kept out of your life - and clear with them face-to-face. It will set you free, as it did me.

A better way is never to go to sleep with anger or sadness in your heart. Clear it before it becomes an emotional scar.

Each day is a new dawn.

The Chinese have a saying which goes something like this, "each day is a new dawn."

We too believe that each day is our opportunity for a cleansing, a rebirth and the emanation of the positive future that once awaited us at our birth. We start each day afresh, albeit with new experiences to teach and guide us.

Should each of us in this country and around the world, cleanse ourselves of our negative emotional memories, we will positively transform our ways and the future of our world.

Your way may be better...

And there are obviously many other ways to cleanse your spirit.

You may find spiritual ways, or psycho-analysis, prayer, meditation, affirmations, chanting or simple quiet time that will work for you.

Whichever way you choose, to refresh and purify your soul, please remember to regularly give a little time to yourself.

Spend good energy on building your spirit. And you will transform your life and your world.

Best wishes

Brian Moore

10/1/2006

Organisational Transformation

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