Be the Change you want to see in the world.

Gandhi

Sharing My Heart In Nicaragua

Rio del Cambio is the kind of grassroots initiative that calls to me.  As part of the route to my personal desire to “be the change that I want to see in the world”, I have again traveled to a developing country to offer what I can in an exchange of love and hope.  This trip was extra special as my daughter Danika was also a part of this group.  Kari Williams, Coordinator of Rio del Cambio, arranged for our small group to see programs of hope being planted in the inner city of Managua, where the poorest of poor reside.  Inspiring Individuals and small organizations have created projects that help to develop respect for self, integrity, education, income and a belief in hope for their future. For me, this was important to see first so we would enter the small village of Citalapa with that sense of optimism, rather than focusing on the humble appearance of the community and their meek surroundings. 

Our group split ourselves between three projects.  Danika and two others assisted community members in building a house that Rio del Cambio’s fundraising campaign paid for, while two others worked on the water filtration system.  It was my honour to share holistic healing treatments with the community members who were interested in experiencing a session with me.  With little funds and supplies available for healing, they were open to whatever I had to offer.  The first person sat ready for a treatment, no questions asked, just allowing and expecting they would feel better.  They continued to stream through the door until the end of the day when I had to tell them it was time for me to go.  Broken arms, bladder infections, parasites,  scoliosis, an injury from falling off a horse, arthritis… the list continued each day and the people kept coming. 

One small boy had a cast on with two broken bones in his arm.  The surgeon told him and his mother that he would have to take a bone out of the little boys hip and use it in his arm where one of the bones was not healing properly.  They were both terrified.  This boy openly came for two craniosacral therapy treatments, hoping for a change in the prognosis.  On the last day in Citalapa, this young boy’s mother excitedly shared with me, the surgeon says that he no longer needs the operation.  It is mending well on its own. 

Who knows how or when the healing happened.  We were in a village — in a country where hope, love, touch and the knowing that total strangers care and know about them, does make a palpable difference. Those of us from the “developed world” benefit from reminders that help us to truly acknowledge what we take for granted.  Feeling on a deeper level how hope, caring, truly seeing others who can feel invisible, can change all of us on many levels….spiritual, emotional and yes, physical healing!   I agree, don’t ask why… ask why not!

    My Movie Pick: 

The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler

In 2008 a Social Worker named Irena Sendler passed away at the age of 98.  She was an amazing woman who during WWII, got permission to work in the Warsaw Ghetto.

Irena was a German who KNEW what the Nazi’s plans were for the Jews.   She used her ability to go in and out of the ghetto to smuggled infants out in the bottom of the tool box she carried, and toddlers in the back of her truck in a Burlap sack.

Irena managed to smuggle out and save 2500 children.  In a glass jar, Irena kept a record of the names of all the kids she smuggled out.  The jar was buried under a tree in her back yard with the hopes of reuniting the families.

Irena was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007 but lost to Al Gore who won, for creating the documentary “An Inconvenient Truth”.

Rent this movie at your video store or  go to http://www.irenasendler.org/  for information on Life In A Jar:  The Irena Sendler Project.

The 2011 Healing Energy Networking Conference

For the last two years I have hosted the Healing Energy Networking Conference on the first Saturday of June.  This year I will be moving the conference to Saturday October 1^st as I will be in Uganda with “Sleeping Children Around the World” during the beginning of June. www.scaw.org

    I look forward to being with you for another exciting day of learning, sharing and fun. 

Second Annual  

Healing Energy Networking Conference

Saturday June 5^th, 2010 was a perfect day to enjoy the Second Annual Healing Energy Networking Conference.  The theme this year was “Everyone has a story to tell, trust in the truth of yours…”  The four presenters certainly spoke their truth through their personal stories. 

Professional Storyteller, B.J. McCabe opened the day with a powerful short story creating a thoughtful connection to the rest of the day.  Relaxed in the beautiful setting of the Kempenfelt Centre, all the participants settled in ready to hear all that the wonderful presenters wanted to share.

Who’s Running This Life Anyways….yes, that was the question that Kari Williams came with.  Kari is a stay at home mom who learned to trust her inner voice to find her purpose and passion in life.  She spoke of how synchronistical events and opportunities laid the groundwork for something bigger than she had imagined.  With beautiful and enlightening photos, Kari described how she moved from travelling to Nicaragua with a small group, to creating a project aimed at empowering people both in Nicaragua and here at home.   Working in a small village that even other Nicaraguans describe as very poor, Kari has initiated education and farming projects that have very quickly reaped rewards.  In her presentation, Kari ignited fires within the audience.  Through her personal sharing and passion, it was made obvious that one person can make a difference that ripples out farther than one can imagine!

 Elane Finley is a living miracle.  20 years ago Elane was inside a vehicle that burst into flames.  She wasn’t expected to survive, yet here she was telling her story of survival with frankness and humour.  With two years in hospital where she grew a new body, Elane departed there leaving behind her regrets and remorse.  She was ready to move forward understanding she survived because she still had a significant role to play.  She understands life has more layers and isn’t always logical, and that it presents us with many creative learning opportunities.  At 86 years old, Elane came as a refreshing breath of air.  It was amazing to hear her share the events of her life, knowing she chose to live fully despite her past.  With all that she has lived through, her excitement was really about sharing her exercise routine with everyone.  With 10 hoola hoops in hand Elane demonstrated how to use them in a daily exercise plan.  All the audience was eager to be her students and use those hoola hoops for exercise, laughter and play! 

What a great start to the day!  This created some wonderful conversation during the beautiful lunch the staff of the Kempenfelt Centre has prepared for us.  So much to choose from!  The dining room had a salad bar, a soup and sandwich bar, a hot meal selection, and a desert table!  Although many of the participants did not know each other, it was great to hear the sound of many conversations as everyone became friends while they lunched together.

Hearing the beautiful voice of Tara Brox singing a mantra to regather us was a real treat.  It was a gentle loving way to bring the group back and prepare them for a great afternoon. 

Passionate with her chosen profession as a Storyteller, B.J. McCabe has been telling stories to adults for over 20 years.  She knows that everyone has an important story to tell.  Using her gifts as a storyteller, and her ability to draw the details of who we are out of us, B.J. lead a workshop where each person developed their own story. Demonstrating this art, B.J. shared a creative narrative weaving together traditional wisdom tales and slice of life stories.  Listening intently to her voice, the audience followed her story to the end, curious of the journey it would take.  She then began to encourage the audience to create and mould their own stories.   It was exciting to hear the buzz of conversation as participants paired up to share their stories with their partner.  With individuals sharing parts of their creations to the group, it was exciting to hear the nuggets of truths, wonderments and ahha moments that came from within as a result of this empowering workshop.

Cheryl Moore, MSW, HHP was a member of a Rites of Passage group for over a 2 year period.  She found this to be a personally powerful experience and knew that it was to be shared.  Coming from a large city, Cheryl moved to a small town wondering how quickly she would make new friends, and would they ever be as close as the ones she had left behind.  As events were dropped onto her path, Cheryl began meeting the women who would come together with her to create a close group of “sisters”.  They discovered they were all searching for a deeper connection with like-minded women.  With this as their intention they created a Sacred Circle Gathering where together they travelled the “Rites of Passage” road.  Cheryl clearly offered all the details on how individuals in the audience could also create a group to share the very personal and enlightening stages of life together.  Through this experience, Cheryl and her Rites of Passage group are now offering workshops to encourage other women to come together to have this same honour of sharing.  They are now selling a book that chronicles this journey, explaining everything from setting up the group to suggestions on celebrating and honouring each individual rite.

The Second Annual Healing Energy Networking Conference was a great success and has already promoted me to excitedly think about the focus of the Third Annual conference on Saturday June 4^th.   Conference participants have suggested they would like to have more opportunity to buy gifts and personal items in the market place.   This is definitely something I look forward to putting together.  Let me know if you would like to be added to the invitation list for this incredible conference.  I look forward to seeing you there in 2011!

Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves!

The Impact of Your Gift

On October 26th I travelled to Nicaragua with Sleeping Children Around the World.  In 10 days we visited 10 different communities and gave out 5,000 bedkits to needy children between the ages of 6 -12.  I also travelled with this wonderful organization two years ago to Honduras.  As a team member, we are asked to write an article for the newsletter that will be sent to every person who sponsored a bedkit for a child on that distribution. ( a bedkit sponsor costs $35.00 of which 100% goes to buying the bedkit)   Here is a little taste of what I experienced there!

We anticipated a very long and full day as we prepared for a lengthy travel to a small community close to the border between Honduras and Nicaragua. We were travelling to a town that 602 children from 39 rural schools would congregate in, to receive their bedkits.

It was a notable distribution, where one mother told us how her child could not sleep all night from the excitement of knowing she was getting her bedkit today. Another child passed a hand written letter to one of our team, while offering a thank you hug. The note shared a little of her home life and the difference the bedkit will make for her and her family.

When we had completed our joy-filled work, all the volunteers received a plate of beans with some cheese. I sat beside Arnold Salgado, a young man who was the community worker for the area. He lovingly shared thoughts and concerns about the people of his village and the community activities.

He described how most homes consist of one room with no furniture or only a wooden bed frame or a mattress. Some members of the family sleep on the bed-frame lined with material or plastic. Others sleep on the floor. Winter nights are cold. A mattress to separate their body from the cold, damp ground will make a distinct difference in their health and happiness. Most cook on an open fire, which can be dangerous for both the home and the children. Our team was invited into two homes and saw first-hand the reality of these living conditions.

In the discussion with Arnold, someone stated that of the 601 children only one had a pair of glasses. It wasn’t hard to notice the many children with decayed teeth. These noticeable concerns spoke to the lack of funds available for health-related issues.

There are many child-headed families in this area. Mothers often travel to the city to find work to gain an income to support their families.

Arnold shared this with us to emphasize the immense importance of SCAW’s presence to these people, then went on to speak of the way the community works together for the betterment of all.

He oversees an eco-friendly project where local volunteers clean the community and plant trees. He was very proud as he spoke of the enthusiastic involvement in many sports activities. They have very little equipment but this does not stop them from coming together, creating teams for various sports, and having fun.

It is easy to underestimate how a small act of kindness can impact a person or even a community. The appreciation for a gift that by Canadian standards is fairly small, impacts these families in a tremendous way. It comes infused with hope, which can ignite people to feel and believe in their own worthiness, and lead them to become people of hope for the future.

You can get more information on Sleeping Children Around The World on their website at www.scaw.org

“If we continue reliving the wounds that have marked us over and over, we’ll end up passing them on to our children.  This generational curse can be broken by healing ourselves, creating a ripple effect that extends forwards and backward in time, bringing forgiveness and relief to our children and our ancestors.”

Alberto Villoldo 

The First Annual Healing Energy Networking Conference…

 proved to be a great success in many ways.  Saturday June 6^th 50 participants came together to network, share, listen, and reflect.   The Kempenfelt Conference Centre in Barrie, was the perfect location for such an event.  It sits on Lake Simcoe with forest all around!  Participants came from as far away as Ottawa!

The day was full beginning with two speakers in the morning, a long lunch with time to visit the Market place, then the last two speakers in the afternoon.  All the presenters were fabulous with great words of wisdom to share.

Holistic businesses set up their products to sell at the Market Place which was available to all the participants throughout the day.  Door prizes were very generously provided by the market place businesses.  Everyone had the opportunity to network through offering mini treatments, chatting with each other and also with displaying their cards and brochures on the networking table. 

We all know that food is important at these events!  The Kempenfelt Centre is owned by Georgian College and the food is prepared by the Culinary Program.  It was an exquisite buffet meal offering everything from soup, sandwiches, turkey dinner, salad bar and dessert bar! 

It was a full and fabulous day that promoted thought, awareness, development and friendship!  Stay tuned for the 2^nd Annual Healing Energy Networking Conference in June 2010!

Unleash The Past

I was reading the book “The Law of Attraction , Plain and Simple” and the chapter ”Unleash the Past” really spoke to me.  I hope that you too find my condensed version thought provoking.

Many people believe that the past is what has made us who we are today.  That doesn’t mean we must continually relive our past mistakes or regrets, nor should we pretend the past never happened.  It just means we should leave the past where it belongs — in the past.  Many of us take the negative feelings from these experiences and bring them into our present and even into our future. 

For example, if in a relationship your partner cheated on you, that experience may affect future relationships.  Each time you meet someone new, you may be apprehensive or even avoid getting serious altogether.  Your negative painful experience of the past is affecting and essentially sabotaging all your present and future relationships.  By releasing our attachment to the past, we create the open space of unlimited possibility and potential for the present and the future.  So if you were to leave that experience in the past, you would be capable of entering a new relationship without preconditioned beliefs and thoughts. 

When many people are asked the question “Why aren’t you living your dream life today?”, most give reasons that revolve around experiences from their past.  So the next question should be “So What?”  When we hold on to the past, all of our choices in life revolve around it, so by releasing and allowing it to just “be” and remain in the past, we can free ourselves to achieve anything we want in our lives. 

Recognize that the only place the past resides is in our memories —in our minds.  It is something we made up based on our interpretation of what happened.  Although we cannot change the past, we can change how we interpret it and release our negative feelings, limiting beliefs and thoughts.

Did You Know…

• INDEX puts on a “Design to Improve Life” awards event every four years.  In 2005 three contestants presented water purifying systems for developing nations:
• LifeStraws: at $2.00, it’s affordable!  It doesn’t need electricity or fuel to operate it.  One straw can purify 700 litres of water, the water supply of 1 person for a year.  It relies on suction to force water through filters that catch sediment then expose the water to iodine and active carbon.
• Solar Pasteurization Unit:  People are often told to boil water but lack access to wood or fuel to do so.  Costing about $7.00 the unit reflects sunlight to heat water to the boiling point.  It can also be used to pasteurize AIDS infected breast milk, or sterilize surgical instruments.
• OPV Personal Water Cleaner:  The Organic Molecular Photovoltaic Personal Water Cleaner is designed for areas exposed to monsoons or frequent flooding.  It will provide a family with potable water until help arrives.  The user applies pressure to a bellow and sucks on the attached pipe to receive purified drinking water.

For more information or to see what the 2009 awards event has to share, go to http://www.indexaward.dk/ or Ode magazine Volume 3, Issue 9 November 2005  

I am Off Again!

On October 26th I will have the honour of again joining a distribution team with “Sleeping Children Around the World” in Nicaragua.  Our team of 6 volunteers will deliver 5,000 bedkits.  Yes, this is one of the things that makes my heart sing!  We will spend two weeks together and see many wonderful little smiling faces as they receive a gift from someone they have never met.  Never underestimate the involvement that you chose to make the world a better place.  Each interaction is as important as the other — sponsors, encouraging words, answering phones, travel with a purpose etc.  No words can describe the fulfilment of being a part of making a difference in OUR world!    

 Thank you to all the participants of the First Annual Healing Energy Networking Conference.  It was a huge success, making it clear that we will see you again next June for the  2nd Annual conference.

Be Inspired and Motivated by the Powerful Presenters at the

Healing Energy Networking

Conference June 2009

The conference proved to be a great success in many ways. On Saturday, June 6th, 50 participants came together to share through networking, listening, and quiet reflection. The Kempenfelt Conference Centre in Barrie, Ontario was the perfection location for such an event. It sits on Lake Simcoe with forest all around! Participants came from as far away as Ottawa!

The day began with Alaina sharing her breast cancer journey. A young and vibrant 26 year old Registered Nurse, Alaina has a positive and uplifting  message. She was there to share her allopathic and holistic experiences. Her presentation was about moving through all the stages of cancer to wellness. Alaina began with receiving medical care, chemotherapy and radiation, then spoke of her journey to Peru to see a traditional healer. Her goal was not to compare her treatments but to share her healing journey and how it has empowered and moved her to wellness.Barb, who is a Shaman and HADO instructor advocate of Dr. Emoto’s work, shared her storytelling gifts. Through song and words, she  shared her personal travels that brought her to recognize her gifts and present focus in life. This has taken her from 30 years in speech pathology into the world of shamanism, energy, sound and light body healing. In sharing her story her hope was to Light the Spark in all who were present.

Channelling information in automatic writing for about 8 years, Jacqui skilfully transferred information from Spirit into verbal output messages. The messages were positive, thought provoking and begged all to ask the question, “How may I serve?”

Suzanne, a Holistic Health Practitioner, has been on 9 volunteer trips to various developing countries. Through her photograph presentation, Suzanne shared her experiences of offering hands‐on healing treatments, teaching Reiki, as well as being a team member with various volunteer organizations. The focus of her presentation was to “plant seeds”, offering ideas of ways to introduce the world’s people to each other so that they may become community neighbours.

Twelve Holistic businesses set up their products to sell at the Market Place, which was available to all the participants throughout the day. Door prizes were very generously provided by the market place businesses. Everyone had the opportunity to network through offering mini treatments, chatting with each other and also with displaying their cards and brochures on the networking table.

We all know that food is important at these events! The Kempenfelt Centre is owned by Georgian College and the food prepared by the Culinary Program. It was an exquisite buffet meal offering everything from soup, sandwiches, turkey dinner, a salad bar and dessert bar!

It was a full and fabulous day that promoted thought, awareness, development and friendship! Stay tuned for the 2nd Annual Healing Energy Networking Conference in June 2010!

Suzanne Dobinson
Holistic Health Practitioner

suzannedobinson@bellnet.ca  

Your way is very good for you, but not for me.  My way is good for me, but not for you.           

                                                                                                                 Swami Vivekananda

Thank You!

On February 4th I arrived home from an exciting time in Guatemala, leading a group of 5 dynamic women.  They were interested in experiencing this wonderful place that continues to pull me back often.  What a blessing it was to have an opportunity to share this part of me!  Two days after arriving home I attended the Greater Innisfil Chamber of Commerce annual Business Awards Gala.  I was nominated for the 2008 Community Award which acknowledges significant volunteer contributions to the community.  I have always been a great advocate for promoting understanding and connection of our global community, so it was exciting to see that the Innisfil Chamber of Commerce also acknowledges this.  What an honour it was to receive the Community Award at the Gala Dinner.  In the words of Margaret Mead, “ Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world;  indeed it’s the only thing that ever has.” 

Should Every Room Be Living?!

I was glancing through a magazine the other day and I saw a tag line on a paint advertisement that said “Shouldn’t every room be living”.  That line caught my eye.  My mind went to various thing that it could pertain to.  Shouldn’t we live every day rather than looking forward to “that special day”, waiting for the weekend, or saving our energy for a special event.  It is amazing how many days pass us by as we prepare for something special that is coming….sooner or later. Are you living every day?  How are you living it – in fear, in regret, in anger, in love, expectation, in happiness?   We do not see the world as it is, we see it as we are.  The way we see a problem is the problem; check the glasses through which you see the world, it’s up to you to chose the ones that will benefit your life.

Did you know that…

10% of MPs in Ghana are women.

21% of Canadian MPs are women.

50% of MPs in Rwanda are women.

Canada’s population is 33, 311,000 with 16,789,000 women and 16,522,000 men. (statistics Canada)  If we are a population of virtually half men and half women, we certainly have lots of room to increase female representation in parliament.

   Movie Review:  War Dance

  War Dance is a powerful documentary that follows a group of school children as they overcome nearly insurmountable odds in their quest to participate in the annual Kampala Music Festival of Uganda.  The Patongo Primary School is located in a  refugee camp where 60,000 survivors of the Uganda war live.  Against all odds, a group from this school somehow qualify to enter the festival. 

While watching the children prepare for their place in the competition, we are introduced to the intimate lives of three of the children who speak of the trauma they have survived.  This movie beautifully reflects the hopeful minds of these determined children.  It is truly an inspiring movie!

A Guatemalan Gift

Eight years ago, along with my two daughters, my friend and her daughter we had the wonderful opportunity to spend two weeks in Hogares Santa Maria de Guatelupe Orphanage.  They opened their doors, gave us a room with three beds and welcomed us to stay as their guests.  It was such a wonderful experience with all of us connecting in our own ways with both the children and the passionate nuns who run the home.  It was then that we offered healing energy initially to the children and staff, through individual treatments as well as training and attuning many to Reiki. 

November 2008 I returned to this same orphanage on my own to reconnect.  It was exciting to see that of the 89 children living there, some were those I met 8 years ago.  Many of the children have family members who although are unable to support them on a daily basis continue to have a relationship with them.   This orphanage is unique in that it is run with passion, loving caregivers and family ethics.  I asked one of the young girls how many sisters and brothers she had, and she replied “many!” 

This time my intention was to focus on offering hands-on healing treatments.   The first day they were unsure as to what I was offering but some tried.  Within a couple of days I had to create a schedule to ensure that all who wanted a treatment were booked in.  I had the wonderful opportunity to go out into the community to further offer treatments.  

What a great way to focus on pure hands-on energy treatments.  I created a little space by claiming a corner in an outdoor hallway and set up a chair.   Because some of the children were short I had a basket that we turned upside down for them to place their feet on.  I received such beautiful feedback from these people who were so grateful to both receive healing energy and personal, nurturing time and touch. 

Two months later I returned to this same Children’s home, but this time accompanied by a group of five more Canadian women.  We were in Guatemala for a week, visiting the children for only one day.  The women were so excited, bringing donations and gifts for all the children.  It was very difficult to do such a short visit this time.  There is so much to share and one day, or even two weeks is not enough.   

I am so excited about this relationship that is being build between Hogares Santa Maria de Guatelupe and myself.  What a wonderfully, fulfilling way to give back to our global community.  I am definitely in the midst of planning my return….

A wave cannot rise in one place, without creating a hollow elsewhere. The sum total of the energy of the universe remains identical from one end to the other. If you take from one place you must give elsewhere.
Swami Vivekananda

What is an Akashic Record Consult?

Offering Akahsic Record Consults has been a real joy that comes with many experiences. I have taken time to look at what comes from the session and know that this can vary with intention and personality style. Don’t confuse an Akashic Record consult with a Psychic reading. My experience has been that it is about going deeper into your awareness, and offering to take you with it. You will receive information, but you will also leave with the opportunity to add further clarity and understanding to your newly unearthed information.

Shared responses from Akashic Record Consults:

The Akashic Records have helped me in all areas of my life in a most powerful way…more than what I ever imagined. They have helped me define and confirm more clearly my Soul’s Purpose.

Jacqueline

I knew so little about Akashic Records that I had no preconceived notions of what the process or results would look like. My consult was full of metaphor and symbols but I am a Storyteller, and metaphor and symbols are my tools. What I was given as direction was the booster shot propelling me onward. Tapping into great mystery, Akashic Records proved to me to be a quite profound experience, and one I would sum up as the best businss advice I have received in 13 years.

B.J.

In having been introduced to the Akashic Records it has been a very good source of direction. Since Suzanne opened this new world for me, I have more of an understanding of what, why, when and where.

Mary

Did you know that ……….

There is a United Nations University of Peace, which is located in Costa Rica.

For more information go to http://www.upeace.org/

Movie Review: The Ultimate Gift

For those of you who are reading “A New Earth” by Eckhart Tolle, you will remember the dark truth that is presented to us in chapter 1; for entertainment we watch movies where people are torturing, murdering and maiming others. Obviously that is true, but it hit me deeper to actually hear that concept put into words. In honour of that I have been in search of movies that offer up a more appealing storyline.

My first pick is: The Ultimate Gift

When Jason’s extremely wealthy grandfather dies, Jason expects his inheritance to be a large amount of money that will continue the lavish lifestyle of indulgence and selfishness, his trust fund has allowed through out his life. Instead Jason is challenged to complete 12 elaborate tasks that his grandfather considers “gifts”. These gifts are meant to lead Jason to answering the ultimate question ” What is the relationship between wealth and happiness?” It’s a beautiful story that is carried out by many actors you are familiar with - Abigail Breslin, Lee Meriwether, James Garner, Brian Dennehy and Bill Cobbs. Rent this movie from your favourite video store.

Bhutan’s Unique Measurement of Wealth

In two of the magazines I subscribe to, National Geographic and Ode, I came across articles on the small country of Bhutan which is located between Indian and Tibet. It is ranked near the bottom of the world’s development scale. I read with intrigue how the King and government came up with a distinctive way to measure the country’s wealth in terms of the happiness of its citizens. The unique concept of gross national happiness (GNH) is used to measure the country’s wealth, as an alternative to the world’s economic scale Gross National Product (GNP). GNH is an official policy of the kingdom, having been passed in parliament.

Essentially, the idea of GNH is to encourage a rethinking of what is important in people’s lives: should the success of a nation be judged by its ability to produce and consume, or should it be based on the quality of life in that country, the happiness of its people?

It is the qualitative distinctions that are lost in this measuring of quantity: “economic calculations ignore the value of things such as fresh water, green forests, clean air, traditional ways of life”, merely because they cannot be easily quantified.

In Buddhism, happiness is not determined by what we have and own, but also by our knowledge, our living skills and our imagination: by being, not having. Compassion and co-operation are as important to achieving happiness as competition, and developing our minds could be the key to all of these changes.

The policy seems to be reaping the desired results - 72 percent of the country is still forested, health care is free, and a study conducted by the University of Leicester in Britain ranks Bhutan as the planet’s eighth happiest place, ahead of the US and Canada.

It is surely an interesting concept, one that could be worthwhile implementing on a smaller scale in small businesses and corporations.

information from: National Geographic: Mar/08; Ode: Dec/ 05; http://www.globalideasbank.org/ ; http://www.indiaenews.com/