day of service & a world of possibility

[kambriel]

What an amazing feeling is in the air with Martin Luther King, Jr. day today and the inauguration tomorrow.

Never in my life can I remember such excitement leading up to a presidential inauguration... Usually, it's more of a looking back at the outgoing president, but not this time ~ this time it's all about an excitement for the next chapter of our shared future, what feels like the realization of a dream for so many at long last. I wish I were in DC, just to add my piece to the nation-wide and even world-wide human puzzle forming there now. The Kenyan boys choir just performed and it was jubilant... Congressman James Clyburn of South Carolina was at the point of tears ~ tears of joy at being able to bear witness to a moment he thought might never live to see.

Something I particularly love is that this feeling of a new achievement is by no means limited only to those of African heritage... much like after 9-11 when the French said "Today we are all Americans" ~ it's kind of like that now ~ only rather than being born from tragedy, this time the feeling originates from an intense joy and hope, fulfillment and possibility. Today, we can all feel that sense of reaching a new height simply by opening our hearts to the moment that is now at hand. Here's hoping these feelings will translate into a willingness to answer the call to service of helping those less fortunate than ourselves, whether it be doing volunteer work for strangers in need, or a next door neighbor who just needs to be checked in on now and then ~ being a better caretaker of our earth, both with a focus on the big picture, as well as little things each of us can do to help. We are entering into a new day, and I for one am doing my best to absorb this moment while looking forward to the world of possibilities ahead.


In the spirit of doing something kind for others... Crafty Swap meme (borrowed from Lady Tatiana, who borrowed it from SpitCurl, and so on)!

"The first five people to respond to this post and send me your mailing address will get something made by me! My choice. For you.

The catch? The catch is for you to "pay it forward" and extend a similar offer to those on your own lj friends list :)"

~ Kambriel

[Kambriel.com ~ Etsy ~ Twitter ~ Tumblr ~ Facebook]

Comments

[icprncs.livejournal.com]

This is too tempting to pass up on, even though I already have things in the works. If you want to turn me down on that basis, I won't mind. :)

I will, however, post this myself, because I realized it's a good impetus for something I've been struggling to figure out.

[kambriel.livejournal.com]

I'd love to have you participate ~ the fact that I'll already be sending a box to you just makes it that much better since it saves on postage which is actually very helpful! :)

[icprncs.livejournal.com]

:D Thank you. (And the first of my stuff is in the mail to you.)

[lapetitemort73.livejournal.com]

I actually was just thinking of MLK and seeing the hotel where he was shot when I was in TN and how it affected me. =\

[kambriel.livejournal.com]

I stayed in a hotel in Memphis once too and was thinking about it today ~ there's still an energy which surrounds the place which I'm sure you felt as well ~ it's a memory that's alive today. I hope he's looking down from that mountaintop tomorrow!

Can I count you as #2 in the crafty swap meme? I'd love to make something for you :)

[lapetitemort73.livejournal.com]

of course.
it will be nice to make something for some people. =)

[donnaricci.livejournal.com]

but only if I can return the favor to you

[kambriel.livejournal.com]

That's so kind of you ~ and sounds like fun to me! Just send me your mailing address :)

[donnaricci.livejournal.com]

Did you get it in my other reply? I deleted afterwards to avoid mass mailing addy fun.

[kambriel.livejournal.com]

Got it! Just did the same for you with my info :)

[spangle-kitten.livejournal.com]

Me please! I'll send you something back!

I'm not sure baking will work though given the distance ;p

[spangle-kitten.livejournal.com]

And you know my mailing address by now...

[kambriel.livejournal.com]

That I do! We can focus on the baked goods when we're *together* :)

[devikat.livejournal.com]

Oooh... I know we don't know each other in person yet, but if you'll let me return the favor, I'd love to be added to your five people...

[kambriel.livejournal.com]

You bet! It's my pleasure, and you don't need to do anything in return for me :) Just send me your mailing address (you can post it here as a comment and then delete it for privacy).

[devikat.livejournal.com]

*hugs* But what if I want to do something in return? I've already posted this to my LJ, and didn't want to post it again... but I love this meme! I think it'll be just the right thing to get my projects jumpstarted. ;o)

[kambriel.livejournal.com]

I'll send you my mailing address (and totally understand ~ I have a habit of enjoying making/sending gifts to gift swap partners who aren't *my* partners, just because it's hard to resist sometimes) :)

I got your address in the message you sent ~ thanks!

[devikat.livejournal.com]

Got yours too! I don't suppose that's anywhere near Chapel Hill... I'm looking at their MFA theater program right now. Wouldn't that be fun if I got in, and already knew some of the neighbors. :o)

[kambriel.livejournal.com]

It's not close to me, but meiow went to school there, so she might be able to help if you have any questions or such about the area :)

[devikat.livejournal.com]

Oh, and I sent my address to you by "private message". :o)

[kambriel.livejournal.com]

I finally had a moment to start putting your box together, and then it occurred to me ~ since you sew, would you be interested in me shipping a lot of my fabric scraps to you? I've got a huge amount of them collected right now, and perhaps they'd be fun for you to use in projects requiring smaller pieces... Just let me know if you'd be interested in that or if you'd like me to send some other random surprise your way ;)

[jaborwhalky.livejournal.com]

Am I too late?
I make cool things some times that would not end up in a box in the attic I swear...

[kambriel.livejournal.com]

I just spotted this! Yes, the five slots filled really quickly, but maybe I'll do it again sometime and then I'd be more than happy to have you involved :)