Sunday was an absolutely beautiful day. My husband and I were enjoying the easy-going activities of our afternoon. Sitting in our family room I just happened to notice a bird sitting on the railing of our outside deck. This chubby character, it's feathers all fluffed out, was chirping loudly with all of the energy it could muster. It
seemed to be talking to us.
Calling my husband's attention to the bird, we decided to get up and move closer to observe our noisy visitor. Our movements didn't disturb it at all. It just kept chirping vigorously, keeping a firm grip on our railing.
Then, suddenly, out of nowhere, came a large adult robin. It had a fat berry in its beak. Landing next to the chirping bird it promptly pushed the fat berry into the gaping mouth of the grateful recipient.
The robin flew away and within seconds was back again with another berry. I realized then that the chubby visitor was a baby robin and was being fed blueberries from our nearby bushes by its parent. It was quite a treat watching the interaction between the two birds. The older taking care of the younger until it could take care of itself. I reflected on how so many times in our life we go through the same kind of process.
I'm not just talking about the human adolescent period but about how every time we experience changes that requires our expanding and stretching of ourselves, our skills and talents, we reach out for help. Haven't you, when you are learning something new, had to ask for help? I know I have. Sometimes, like the baby robin, we have to ask again and again never giving up our desire to be nourished with the right stuff. Usually, if we are persistent, there is a person or something that gives
us what we need for that moment. Then comes the next moment and we open
ourselves up for the next tidbit, receptive and wanting to have still more until one day.lo and behold, we can take care of ourselves.
During the time we are learning we reach out to those who have the knowledge we don't have. We become dependent upon them and that is not such a bad thing. The process of learning requires adapting on many levels. Mental, physical, emotional and spiritual. Like the baby robin, we have to be taught where to find the juicy berries of knowledge, be open and receptive to receive them and then to enjoy the richness of abundance that can be ours from learning how do it on our own. Becoming our 'own person' is a real challenge and takes a lot of work.
One day, we stand on our own two feet. We are able to take care of ourselves and then are able to help others, share our knowledge and experience. For there are always beginners who need to learn and so the cycle repeats itself as it has for millenniums.
Richard Bach, in his book "Illusions" makes a wonderful statement. "Learning is finding out what you already know. Doing is demonstrating that you know it. Teaching is reminding others that they know just as well as you. You are all learners, doers, teachers." In the 'Golden Nuggets" section of this newsletter you will find a wonderful example of this. I hope you will enjoy the personal experience of a young woman who is finding her individuality in her own special way. May it touch your heart, mind and spirit as it did mine.
Happy Summer to you all!............Donna Seebo
QUOTE FOR THE MONTH
"The most wasted of all days is that on which one has not laughed."
Author Unknown
BLONDES ARE SMARTER
A Blonde walks into a bank in New York City and asks for the loan officer. She says she is going to Europe on business for two weeks and needs to borrow $5,000. The bank officer says the bank will need some kind of security for such a loan, so the Blonde hands over the keys to a new Rolls Royce parked on the street in front of the bank. Everything checks out and the bank agrees to accept the car as collateral for the loan. An employee drives the Rolls into the bank's underground garage and parks
it there.
Two weeks later, the Blonde returns, repays the $5,000 and the interest, which comes to $15.41. The loan officer says, "We are very happy to have had your business and this transaction has worked out very nicely but we a little puzzled. While you were away, we checked out your financial background and discovered that you are a
multimillionaire. What puzzles us is why would you bother to borrow $5,000?"
The Blonde replied, "Where else in New York can I park my car for two weeks for 15 bucks?" Submitted by Mary E., Washington State
GOLDEN NUGGETS
Real Stories About Real People
All too frequently we hear stories about our youth, their violent world and how they are just not responsible. This month I have the privilege to share with you a beautiful and very special letter I received from one of our readers, V. Macdonald. Her daughter is serving in the Peace Corps and I have been given permission to let you read it
as well. This letter has not been edited.
"Hello from Kyrgyzstan!!!"
"Hello my dear Friends and Family: I am sorry that I have not
touched base with you sooner but communication in Kyrgyzstan is
infrequent, non-reliable, and expensive. This is the first time that I
have had access to a computer, so don't be worried. I am doing well. I
don't even know where to begin or how to explain my new life. These
past three weeks have gone by so quickly. There are thirty-three PCV's
and it is a very diverse group. We all get along wonderfully, and I
have made some incredible friends. We stayed in a small village
twenty-five miles outside of Bishkek-called Kant. It is a beautiful
country, and the mountains are practically in our back yard. It seems
almost like a dream and it still amazes me that I am actually here.
While we were in Kant we were briefed over many issues concerning health
and safety. It has been very overwhelming and my brain in on overload.
The staff here is excellent and they are very supportive.
Living in a third world country is far from glamorous. It's been a
challenge for me to get used to but I think I have mastered the art of
going to the bathroom in an outhouse with a hole in the ground, as are
most of the toilets in Kyrgyzstan, using the equivalent of confetti
toilet paper, as Charmin in non-existent, and most of the people use
notebook paper; not showering for up to three days; and using buckets to
bathe in, as there is no running water in the majority of homes here;
and to sleep in a bed that has the support of a hammock. I am enjoying
my new life here but there is nothing more that I would want than a
toilet seat. I miss the basic comforts of home.
I am learning Kyrgyz, and I will probably learn Russian and Uzbek
within the next year. I found out that my permanent site is in the
Oblast Jala-Abad, which borders Uzbekistan. I am in a small village
called Kocher Ata. I will be teaching at a boarding school and starting
a children's choir. How perfect is that? I am very excited, and I have
heard wonderful things about my area. I will be living with a family,
in a small house of my own. Plus, there is another current volunteer in
the village. Get thishe is from Kalispell, the same age, and went to
the U of M. It will be nice to meet him. Crazy.
Now, I am in PST and I officially get sworn in on August 22nd. It
is very difficult. We are totally immersed within a culture and no very
little language. I am living in a small village called Telman with an
incredible family. They are very patient and superb teachers. I have a
brother Rusian, who is thirteen and he is probably my best friend. He
is very protective and points out everything to me. I also have a
little sister, Igeriam, who is six, and she is the most precious girl I
have ever seen. Clara is my homestay mother and Tulbaldy is my father.
They have welcomed me into their family with unconditional love and I
feel very fortunate to live with them. They are very interested in
American culture and I enjoy teaching them. We play Frisbee every night
as they are fascinated by this disc. I haven't had the opportunity to
run much, which is hard for me, but when I do I have about ten of the
local boys running behind me. I have been sick lately, as I am
adjusting to the food. The toilets make it pretty unpleasant. The
doctor comes by once a week to check on us and give us shots, so he gave
me some medicine to ease my stomach.
I have taught a few classes already to some small children. The
children here are so well behaved and they call me Miss Taryn. They
gave me a Kyrgyz name, which is Jilldiz. It means star. Go Superstar!
I taught them how to play basketball and they are very excited to
learn. I have all of the children in the village saying WASSUP! I
really enjoy teaching but I am a bit nervous.
As for the language, we have intense classes about four hours a
day. It's going well, but it seems to be the most frustrating aspect.
The communication is definitely the most difficult obstacle. I can
carry on small conversation and pick up bits and pieces from various
conversations. It amazes me because I never thought I would be able to
grasp a language so quickly.
We have been guesting a few times and I have learned not to wince
when drinking shots of Vodka. Wow! I haven't seen any yaks yet but I
am keeping my eyes peeled. I miss you all and I have so much more to
tell you. I will try to get into the city about once every three
weeks. Please write to me, as I am very homesick. If any of you know
any good English teaching books, would you be willing to send them to
me, because the resources are very limited here. Things I would love
from America.antibacterial soap, shampoo, candy, chips, a flashlight
and Q-tips. I love you all and I miss you all very much. Please write
to me!! You are all in my prayers. God Bless and Love, Taryn/Bonz".
*For any of you who would like to send a package or note to Taryn,
get in touch with me via e-mail and I will forward the information to
her mother, Vicki. Thank you.*
CALENDAR OF BROADCASTS & APPEARANCES
August 8. Tuesday, Cincinnati, Ohio.Radio program, live, with
Maureen McCullogh, CST, 8:00 PM. Callers welcome.
August 11. Friday, Monterey, California.Radio program, live, with
Marsha Morgan, KNRY-AM 1240 & KIEZ-AM 540, 7:00 am. No matter where you
are in the world you can participate in this broadcast by listening to
the program through the Internet @ KNRY.com. Callers welcome.
August 19. Saturday, Lincoln, Nebraska.Radio program, live, with
Scott Colborn, CST, 10:00 am, KZUM-FM 89.3. Program also broadcast on
Lincoln Cable TV #10. Callers welcome.
*Trip to California has been postponed until later in the year.
**Upcoming scheduled trips for September.Denver, Colorado &
Anchorage, Alaska. Dates will be announced in next newsletter. Please
call my office if you would like additional information.
This month no special trips are planned for out of state. If you or
a friend desire to schedule a consultation with me, in-person or by
telephone, please contact my office at (800) 872-8852.
Inquiries have been made about gift certificates for private
consultations for friends or family. These are available. Contact
(800) 872-8852 for details.
I have had many inquiries about my traveling to different states. If you have a group of 20 people minimum, I will be happy to do a workshop and also be available for private consultations. To do a speaking appearance for a group or organization, please call or e-mail my office for information regarding fees and scheduling. See details at the end of this newsletter.
If you have a friend who would be interested in receiving this newsletter, send me their e-mail address and I will add them to my mail list for the next month's publication.
Your comments, suggestions and stories are always welcome. I appreciate your ideas and love to hear your 'special' stories that can help other people deal with their experiences in life.
If you would like to read back issues of the 'Donna Seebo Newsletter' visit my website and open up the archive section. The 'Newsletter' is a free publication. If you do not wish to continue receiving it just let me know and I will remove you from the mailing list.
Have a magnificent day..and remember.
"You are the Master of Your Fate,
The Captain of Your Soul".
Donna Seebo, P.O. Box 97272, Tacoma, WA 98497-0272
Delphi International & Mrs. Seebo's Classic's
www.delphiinternational.com
seeclassics@juno.com
(253) 582-5604 or (800) 872-8852 Fax(253)582-5597 |
