HeartVisions

You are more then you appear to BE…

admin — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 07:07:55 +0000

I have spent most of my life searching for ways to make a difference. And just when I think I have it figured it out my life changes and I go in another direction. The constant in my life is how to serve others and support them in living a life they love.

I have lead sacred peace journeys to Egypt, Israel and Bali to build bridges of understanding with people of different cultures and traditions.

I have united children from each country to join together to communicate with each other by exchanging peace cards and small toys. I remember the kids from Israel writing in their cards that they loved Star Wars and video games like my kids. They had common interests even though they lived in different worlds. It made them real and authentic. The children wanted to stay in touch and learn more about their new friends.

I had my son write peace messages on soccer balls and we donated them to an orphanage in Bali. They had just broke ground for a new Children’s center.

I have been in Egypt when they have bombed a temple a few hundred miles away and the locals immediately went into prayer. And their main concern was for my safety and those I traveled with.

Back here in the United States I developed a summer long peace camp so children could learn about different cultures – their food, traditional dress, and they way they prayed.

I served as a board member on the Northwest Interfaith Community Outreach board to learn different perspectives on how we can create a world that works for everyone.

I have attended many interfaith services. And one poignant gathering with families from Israel and Palestine as they described their pain about losing their family members to war.

I have taken my 16-year-old son to Egypt and Israel so he could discover for himself that there is humanity wherever you go in the world. We attended a peace meeting between Israelis and Palastinians. And there he met a 25-year-old Palestinian named Khlaed. He wanted to be my son’s friend. He talked about the separation from his family and war that had been his life. How he had lost family members and the family depended on him for survival. He sent my son a bible when he got home and asked him to pray for his safety and good health.

And even though the Middle East is a war zone area the people there are more then they appear to be. They are husbands and wives, brothers and sisters. And they want they same thing we want – to belong, to be loved, to be happy.

And with the anniversary of 9/11 again it was the Tibetan children singing a simple peace song at the One the Event at the Seattle Center that had the biggest impact on me. They sang the loudest, clear tune like any professional singer. They had gusto and spirit. A simple gesture of peace in the moment.

People don’t realize the impact of the contributions they can make to humanity. And really we are one world, one love, one humanity living for today. Being in the present moment living our lives just trying to keep up with it all. And if we all just stopped each day for a few moments and thought about who we could impact today it would only take a moment, a gesture, a smile, a card, a donation to a cause we were passionate about. It would make all the difference in the world.

We are more then we appear to be. We just need to surrender to the idea of making it possible.

The Growth of Women in Digital Media

admin — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 18:26:01 +0000

There is a Women in Digital Media blog called, The Other Side” that talks about the growth of Women in Digital Media. It’s interesting how far we have come in terms of women producing in this field. Here’s what she had to say:

August 10, 2011

Women in Digital Media

Welcome to The Other Side! This is going to be my personal space to share reflections, articles, resources on what it’s like here, over on “the other side”. As I get smallest bit older, I have to started to reflect more on life as a woman in digital media. I started in the industry in 1995, coming to new media from the arts. I attended the Vancouver Film School’s inaugural “multimedia production program”, which was essentially digital boot camp. I learned how to use Photoshop, cut a video, lay a sound track, code in “Director”, manage a project, write a proposal… and then this little add on in the last few months- HTML. Because the Web Was Going to Be Big.

More: http://rutbas.com/

Women in Media, Seattle launching first educational symposium

admin — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 19:33:14 +0000

Women in Media, Seattle is organizing its first Symposium on Digital Literacy for Women and Girls. We are putting together a panel discussion about recent incidents of cyber bullying and help young adults learn about digital citizenship and conduct. To look at how their digital life is impacted by the choices they make on the internet.

Celebrating Women in Media in Seattle area

admin — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 22:34:57 +0000

As I begin to interview Women in Media in the Seattle area I am impressed with caliber of talent right here in the Pacific Northwest. There is a need to hang out with each other and talk about our industry. My goal is to recognize and acknowledge these women in media that are making a difference in community with the media that they are creating. Thank you for your contributions!

Career Transition: Select the industry you want to work in…

admin — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 04:28:08 +0000

What if you accepted the idea that you are amazing just the way you are.
Then nothing would get in the way of your success!
My son just graduated from high school and throughout his high school years he decided he was going to be a fire fighter. He attended fire service class and went on “ride alongs’ with fire fighters. When it got right down to it fire fighting it was not his passion. A career in Rap music is where his heart is. Sigh…

When I graduated from college in the 80′s I got a degree in Broadcast Communications. I auditioned at local television stations in the Seattle area and they said, “move to a small town and come back when you have some experience and you don’t look so young”. I didn’t want to move to a small town so I veered off into public relations, ministry and life coaching. I have enjoyed my career. And what’s still missing is working in television.

Now I understand Oprah is starting a new network — OWN. I would love to work there. And I am willing to move. And I would really like to work in the market where I grew up — right here in Seattle. It feels a little impossible and like my son’s dream of Rap singing. AND, I am now focused on creating the possibility of working in Community Engagement in television.

Shoe Drive for Soles4Souls

admin — Thu, 26 May 2011 21:48:19 +0000

I am a member of the Seattle Chapter of the National Association of Professional Organizers. We are sponsoring a show drive in collaboration with Soles4Souls – http://www.soles4souls.org/. Their mission is to collect shoes and get them to those in need, in the US and around the world. They began in 2004, just after the Southeast Asia tsunami. Watching the devastation on television, founder Wayne Elsy, called friends and sponsors, seeking to collect shoes to send to the victims. When Katerina hit the gulf coast Soles4Souls began collecting shoes with those people.

Their goals is to collect 11 million pair of shoes in 2011. I would love to support this organization is reaching their goal. This is where we need your help.

I am now collecting new, gently used and even single shoes and shoes needing repair, to send to Soles4Souls. Please contact me at masanda@heartvisions.com to arrange for a shoe pick-up.

We can make a difference in our community and around the world. Won’t you join me in helping others? Thanks!

I can do Life by myself is a lie….

admin — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 02:44:48 +0000

I can do life by myself is a lie — It takes a tribe to make it happen.

One of the greatest life lessons I learned hiking the West Coast Trail is it’s okay to ask for help from my team to navigate a big hike. “Ask and you shall receive” is the motto. And being raised with the motto, “I can do it myself” is a lie. I can do a lot by myself and when two or more are gathered the work goes much easier. Or how about “many hands make work light”. And besides it develops community, inspires love and people genuinely love to contribute to my life, if I let them.

How do you let people contribute to your life?

Lessons learned from Hiking the West Coast Trail

admin — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 21:04:29 +0000

Following where the trail leads you...

When I began this journey of hiking the West Coast Trail I thought it was impossible and it was sure craziness for me to try. According to Tom Bodett, “In school you’re taught a lesson and then given a test. In life, you’re give a test that teaches you a lesson.”

Here are the 8 Lessons I learned hiking the West Coast Trail:

1. I can do life by myself is a lie… It takes a tribe to make it happen.

2. If I set my mind to something I can accomplish it.

3. All I have to do is ASK….

4. Nature rules….

5. Obstacles may not be obstacles.

6. Fear is a motivator.

7. The Human Body is a powerful tool.

8. Say “YES” to life even if it’s scary.

Just begin....

In the end I didn’t finish 47 miles and I accomplished 35 miles. Pretty darn good and my body performed well. I realized I can do more than I think I can. It is that first step of committing to my life that matters. Just begin… and follow the trail. You never know what is going to happen, and it’s going to be GOOD whatever it is!

Thank you to everyone who believed it was possible for me to hike this 47 mile adventure and survive. Thank you to all of the people who loaned me gear and clothing to keep me warm and safe. Thanks to everyone who hiked with me to get me ready. Thank you to Canada Parks who rescued us and gave us a great ride back to town. Thank you for all of the wildlife that inspired us — bears, whales, eagles, marmots, blue jays, banana slugs.

And most of all thanks to Woody and Theresa for the adventure of a lifetime and having a bucket list that included The West Coast Trail. I will always be grateful for taking a risk and succeeding in a way I would have never imagined.

One Step at a time...

Sometimes things don't turn out the way you thought they would...

The Evacuation

admin — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 19:21:25 +0000

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Being rescued on the beach

We woke up the next morning at 5 am and the tides stretched out for miles. We packed up our gear and walked next store with ease. My sense of nature winning this battle was not not lost on me. The family of 10 and the twenty year old boys, Pius and Lawrence were in camp and they welcomed us with a hot fire and general concern for my well being. We recapped our night and they told their tales of arriving. Many had slipped on that spot where I fell, I was the lucky one to fall.

I received the confirmed call at 8:45 am from Canada Parks that we would be evacuated by boat in about an hour. A friend had called at 8:30 am not knowing if she could reach me. She felt like something had happened and she just wanted to check on me. Boy, was she surprised when I told her I had injured my arm.

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My awesome team -- Me, Theresa and Woody

My team had a choice at this point to complete trip or continue on without me. We hike 35 miles in 4 days. It had been glorious. We had started at the easier end of the trail and we were just beginning the more difficult part of the hike. They chose to be evacuated with me. As I waited for the boat to arrive I had mixed feelings about our adventure. I had made it 35 miles, I had let my team down, we didn’t get to finish it and we were skipping the most difficult part of the hike.

Theresa escorted me to the bathrooms because we had to climb over logs to get there. On the way back we met a woman who said, “I am an emergency room doctor. Would you like me to take a look at your injury?” WOW!! What service and no waiting! She said I hit directly on my upper arm and didn’t injure my wrist, elbow or shoulder. Good job, MaSanda.

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Thanks to our rescuers Danielle and Sibylla!

A half hour later the rubber skiff came ashore down the beach from where we were waiting. Out jumps two petite women and a bigger guy with a video camera. Oh great, I am thinking to myself. They want to videotape us! As they approach us he says, “I am filming rescues for a Canadian Search and Rescue show. Is it alright if we videotape you?” I thought to myself, “seriously, really? couldn’t you pick someone else?” I said yes even though I wanted to say no way cause the guy had come all this way on the boat. My former husband is a videographer and I was used to being around cameras.

One of the game wardens assessed me while another one interviewed Woody and Theresa about the accident. It was surreal after that… We put on these huge survivor suits. Theresa and Woody were transported on skiff back to a small power boat waiting in the harbor. She had to row 100 yards out to the boat. Row back in and get me. The second game warden rowed me back to the skiff. I felt defeated in that moment. I had let my team down. We hadn’t finished the West Coast Trail. On the other hand we were skipping the most difficult part of the trail and got to see it with a lovely boat ride back to Pt. Renfrew. It was a salt water facial spray all the way back. I also felt tired and beat up. The trail had won. And the trail had given me so many insights about my own strengths and capabilities I will be forever grateful.

My arm is healing. My team has forgiven me. Life is moving on with a new perspective on life that it is possible to do anything I set my mind to and it takes a tribe to get it done. Going out on a Limb means feeling the fear and doing it away and trust God will take care of me.

The Accident

admin — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 19:18:31 +0000

Woody hiking on the beach

It was nearing the end of the day towards 7 pm and we had hiked most of the day on the beach. Woody was responsible for watching the tide tables and if the tides were coming up where we could not hike on the beach anymore we would move inland. According to Woody’s calculations we still had another hour and half to get to our next camp. Plenty of time…. we thought….We voted as a team to stay on the beach instead of moving inland to climb ladders. We thought it would be much prettier. And it was….

Woody moved ahead with the two 20 year old boys and Theresa and I slowly made our way over boulders and treading our way through the sand to our next camp.

The tides started coming in faster then we expected and we were grateful we were almost to our next camp. Instead of a 3 foot area to get around the last corner we had 3 inches. And the water was lapping up against the slate rock. I was getting worried that we wouldn’t make it around this corner and I didn’t want get in the water and get all wet. Theresa and I were both fighting for traction with our hiking sticks. We figured if we powered through that last turn we would be golden. But we weren’t…

Nature Rules...

We slid and struggled until all of sudden my feet came out from under me and I fell directly on my left arm with my 40 foot pack on my back. I felt frustrated that I had fallen and I needed a moment to catch my breath as the water lapped up and over me and my backpack. So much for keeping dry… Nothing really hurt until Theresa started yelling for me to get up. Somehow I managed to get up and get my backpack off. It wasn’t until Theresa said, “give me your backpack” and I grabbed it with my left arm that something was wrong with my left arm. My arm hurt so I grabbed my backpack with my right arm and drug it to Superwoman Theresa who managed to get the backpacks and sticks to shore and then I waded through the water and got myself to shore.

We had been trained in orientation in the case of an emergency to get to camp, set up shelter, get on warm clothes, and start a hot fire. And my team was an excellent example of that in motion.

Sitting still and being served by my awesome team...

Within minutes I was dressed in warm clothes sitting in front of a hot fire watching my team put a tent and get a bed ready for me. I felt so blessed to have a team that I could count on to take such good care of me. We had called Canada Parks Emergency number and because it was so late they were not able to come and rescue us until the next morning. Our next camp had literally around the corner and since the the tide had come in we camped on the beach next store.

Theresa brought me an Eagle feather and as she handed it to me an Eagle flew out of a tree right over our camp. Later when I got home I pulled out my “Animal Speak” book by Ted Andrews and looked up Eagles. ” Becoming somuch more ten I appear to be” was the wisdom of Eagle. Opening to new birth and creatvity and a willingness to use passions to purify my life and use my abilities even if it means being scorched a little.

What part of your life do you need to open to your passions and be willing to be scorched by and do it anyway?