Mothers. True Peaceful Warriors

My mom loved flowers

God Bless ALL Peaceful Warrior Mothers! My friend Guillaume turned me onto a book called "Way of the Peaceful Warrior". It was written in 1980, but I had never heard of it. It is where he learned the phrase Here and Now. (see previous post). The library didn't have the original book, but it had a book called "Wisdom of a Peaceful Warrior" which takes excerpts from the original book and explains the learning behind them. A good education for anyone who is on a spiritual journey.

The best I have learned from it is... A Peaceful Warrior is someone who lives their life peacefully with Love, Compassion, Kindness. But is a Warrior when it comes to "fighting" for a cause. That made me realize My Mother was indeed a Peaceful Warrior. I never realized it until I read this book. She lived her life with total love for her family and especially her children. She would be a Warrior and fight for us, no matter what the fight was. I miss her dearly and only wish I would have recognized these traits in her while she was alive so I could tell her how much I love her for being a Peaceful Warrior! Maybe her spirit can hear me now? I sure hope so.

She loved her grandchildren and  children by proxy too!

Now that I know a little about what it means to be a Peaceful Warrior, I realize I know a lot of mothers who are Peaceful Warriors, and they probably don't even realize it. Too humble to recognize it in themselves, which is another trait of a Peaceful Warrior from what I gather. So I say we tip are hats to ALL of the Peaceful Mother Warriors out there today living the Way of the Peaceful Warrior.

                   Now Go Out and Hug a Mother Today!!!

Meet Guillaume

Guillaume! What a character. What a man. What a clown!

Guillaume Vermette. Look him up on FB! https://www.facebook.com/ClownHumanitaire/

He tells stories on his professional FB that will make you laugh, smile, cry, think, and wonder. A lot like Humans of New York, but even better  in my opinion. His stories are all about humanitarians. Himself and friends he has met along the way. He is the best humanitarian clown I know, hands down.

A total Clown. Guillaume can even make the horses laugh!

Just over a year ago, He was living in Canada and running a clown business. He was making a decent living and able to travel a little on humanitarian clown trips, like the Patch Adams Tour in November and the Beslan trip in April. But Guillaume wanted to do more! So, he sold his business and gave away most of his possessions and now travels the world as a humanitarian clown.

Guillaume and a friend at a refugee camp.

I am not sure of all of his travels this past year, which is why you have to look him up on FB and read for yourself. But I do know He lived in a refugee camp in Greece for a couple of months. Living amongst the refugees in tents and clowning with them during the day to try and lift their spirits and give them hope.

He did the annual Clown Tour in Russia with Patch and Maria. He went to Thailand for 6 to 8 weeks and taught children circus performances at a camp called "Spark! Circus"

He most recently was in Beslan with yours truly, making the kids there squeal with delight and craving his attention. They chased him, they hugged him, they called out his name down the hallways wherever he went. "Guillaume! Guillaume!". Even while I was clowning with kids in "my own" special moments, they would look at me and ask "Gdye Guillaume?". Which is Russian for "Where's Guillaume?".


The kids of Beslan chasing Guillaume on his unicycle

For the past year he has basically lived out of a backpack, all so he can spread laughter and joy to the world. He relies solely on donations to fund his trips and relies on the kindness of strangers for food and sometimes even shelter. I think he told me he spent 9000 dollars total this past year. That includes ALL of his expenses.. travel, food, etc. I can't begin to imagine living on 9000 dollars a year, and still be able to travel the world. He has done it and I have never seen him look happier!
Check out his website for some great photos and videos. It is all in French, but even with the language difference you can't help but smile at Guillaume!

http://www.guillaumevermette.com/

Keep spreading the Love and Joy my friend!!!

    Now Go Out and Hug a Humanitarian Today!!!

Teacher

Tarkan was a great teacher I am sure!

One of my favorite stories from the tragedy of Beslan is about Tarkan. It is such a sad, yet inspiring, story. At age 89 Tarkan was in the school at the time of the siege. I am not sure if he was still teaching at that age or volunteering or just an honorary guest. None the less he was there.

The story told to me was... The terrorist told Tarkan that he could go home. Apparently a sign of "respect" for the oldest person in the room. It is strange how culture plays a part in life, even amongst terrorists and tragic times. In a strange way, it showed that the terrorists were actually human. Not humane of course, but still humans. What a strange and bewildering species we are eh?

Anyway, Tarkan looked them in the eye and responded

 "I will not leave without my children".

It gets to me every time I think of those words. This was truly a GREAT man! His greatness was reinforced to me on this visit. A young lady, in her 70s perhaps, saw me at his grave. She came up and pointed to him and then to herself and said "My first director". She didn't speak much English, but I understood that he was the director of the school when she was a student, many years before the tragedy. The look in her eyes was one of love and admiration for a man who has been dead for 12 plus years. She still visits his grave to pay respects. Amazing to me. How many of your teacher's or principal's graves do you visit? I visit none, and now I am a little ashamed of that fact.

If you have a teacher or a principal that you love and admire, I suggest that you let them know that. Now, while they are still alive! I have a few teachers I loved and admired growing up and I thank them all for the wisdom bestowed upon me. I would like to thank them all now, whether they know about it or not. I would especially like to thank Mrs. Bennett! If you ever have a teacher like Mrs. Bennett, consider yourself might lucky. I sure do!

          Now Go Out and Hug a Teacher Today!!!

Another Angel

Aza is surely an angel
 

Every year I go to Beslan I learn new stories. Some are sad, some are actually sweet, some are inspiring, and some I can't even begin to describe. This year's story was about this young lady who was killed just a month before her 12th birthday. Why had I not heard her story before? I have no idea other than to say there are too many stories to tell and learn in my week long visit once a year. I am confident though, that Aza is now an angel somewhere high above us all.

Apparently Aza wrote a poem in August of 2004, unbeknownst to anyone else. She was killed in September of 2004. Her mother found her poem sometime after her death. A friend of mine loosely translated it to me. Someday I hope to get the full poem translated if possible.

The gist of the translation was... in her own words... 

"My time has come to leave this place. I am ready. It is not too late and it is not too early. It is just time. There is a place in Heaven waiting for me." 

This is a small excerpt of her poem. If anyone can translate it, I would be happy to know what it is exactly.

That is the best I can remember what my friend told me. It may not be word for word what she wrote, but it is close. It is always amazing to me when people have "premonitions" of their own death. There are too many stories like hers that make it impossible not to believe there is something else out there beyond this lifetime.

The most powerful portion of her poem, in my eyes, is the fact she says "it is not too early and it is not too late." I don't know if we all have our deaths already recorded in time. That is even far fetched for me to believe. I do believe some spirits "know" or can "sense" their time is up. Not too early, and Not too late. There is a place in Heaven waiting.  I only hope her parents can find some comfort in those words.

             Now Go Out and Hug and Angel Today!!!

Airport Fun

Checked in and ready for fun!

Traveling is fun. It is more fun when you do it dressed as a clown. I typically dress as a clown when I travel to Russia. It is a tradition of sorts, ever since my first trip there on a Patch Adam's clown tour. Now I travel alone, but still dress up. I get the best reactions and questions. The questions allow me to tell people about my friend Maria and her program Maria's Children (www.mariaschildren.ru). The only other time I have dressed as a clown for travel was when my buddy Danny Donuts and I went to Brazil. I wasn't even in full clown garb, but we had so much fun with just wearing noses and colorful clothes and playing with the kids. I am considering dressing up EVERY time I travel. That seems a little excessive, and I fear it may take away some of the specialness of it. We shall see.

Not even dressed up really. Just noses.

A lot of my fun on this year's trip to Russia was had in airports. It started in Jacksonville with 2 brothers who giggled at my antics. I did a simple routine with my carry on bag and they loved it. I love improv! I ended it with the standby magic box and gave them stickers. I could hear them chattering as I continued on my way, their mother smiling. A smiling parent who is traveling alone with 2 kids under age 7 is it's own reward as well!

Natalie, a Belgium flight attendant. So sweet!

In DC the fun continued, all the way to Brussels. Typically the flight attendants love me too. I guess I am something to break up the monotony of their jobs. Some will even take photos with me, noses on. One flight attendant asked me if I wanted something sweet. I said "sure!". She brought me 2 macaroons and chips and other sweets... on a glass plate! I felt like I was in first class.

Even going thru customs and passport control, I get smiles and giggles. I do take my nose off for passport control of course, but they still enjoy the nose as long as I am respectful of their job. I am. As I get my luggage and continue to the exit I get laughs and waves, etc. This year my ride wasn't waiting for me, oops. A small miscommunication on my part. Luckily I got a hold of Natasha and Pavel was on his way. That gave me 2 hours to play some more, along with a few taxi ride offers. I assured them I had a friend coming and they smiled and left me to my play.

As we travel to and from Beslan there are even more clowns, which always gets big reactions and fun. Especially with Guillaume around. He is larger than life, yet sweeter than honey! The kids just LOVE him! Every year my friend Aslan greets me in Vladikavkaz. He is a taxi driver, but usually comes on his time off to greet me. We have a big hug and few words. Neither of us speaks the other one's language, but it doesn't even matter. We have a LIFE long friendship for sure!

Aslan and Chip

Vladikavkaz is a small airport. So we don't have a lot of time usually, but there is still some playtime. One cute boy took a nose and then promptly did some "magic" tricks with it. He would stick the nose on his thumb, put his hand behind his back, and then bring his thumb out in front to show me the nose was GONE! Wow, bravo. He was so cute. He did this a couple of times and then the last time he did it, he turned around to show me what he was doing behind his back to make the nose "disappear". I loved it!

He makes that nose disappear! :0)

I interacted with a small family right before we left. One of the kids, age 7 or so,  was in a special stroller, and obviously had Cerebral Palsy or some other disability. I can never resist kids who have special needs. His family was all smiles, but he seemed disinterested. With the language barrier it is hard to tell what he is thinking. I pulled out a nose and asked his mom if I can put it on his nose? A hand gesture by me and the word "Mozhna?" indicates what I mean. She nods with a smile. So I gently place it on his nose and his face breaks out in a HUGE smile! That just made my day I must say, and I think it is safe to say it made him and his family happy too!

Sasha and his brother.

On the way home to America, the fun continues. As I awaited my flight from Moscow to Frankfurt, I just strolled around and played with whoever was willing. I saw a small group that looked interested, so I set up to do some simple juggling. I saw 2 young girls watching with eyes wide open. I love that look on a child, so I had some fun with them... as I juggled I would "drop" one of the balls, making sure it landed in their direction. The youngest went running for it and then brought it back to me to continue my play. As she handed it to me I said "Spaciba!" and she said "Pazhulsta!". Thank you and you're welcome in Russian. She would hand me the ball and then run back to her "spot" to watch. Eventually I would start 'dropping' 2 balls at once and the girls would scatter, giggling the whole time. As I finished up my playtime with them, I learned they were sisters named Irina and Maria.

As I continued my walkabout, I saw a young girl about the age of 4 as I was coming down the escalator. She smiled and waved and I did the same. I then decided to go up the escalator and continue in a circle coming down the same escalator a few minutes later. She was chatting with her mom when she noticed me the 2nd time. She jumped up, big smile on her face, and waved fanatically at me. I did the same. I continued this circle a few more times, looking for her face and reaction as I came down. Her reaction was delightful and different every time! My heart blooms with those kinds of interactions. Pure joy with a simple connection.

My favorite interaction was my last. I came across this young boy, about 5, riding his scooter towards me. A little mullet haircut and a huge devious smile. I could tell he would be fun. We played for a while, with his mom and grandma watching and laughing at him. I showed him a few of my tricks and toys. He wanted to show me his, so he reached inside his mom's bag and pulled out a toy car. We played with that a few minutes, then he reached in and pulled out another toy, and so on. After a few toys, he started pulling out pieces of paper and explaining to me (in Russian) what it was. Of course I didn't understand a single word he was saying, but I could tell he was excited about it so I nodded enthusiastically and said "Da" every now and then. That seemed to do the trick. After a few more minutes I waved goodbye and continued walking. My plane was delayed 45 minutes, so I came across him again and we played some more... and some more... and some more. We couldn't get enough of each other I guess. Finally his mom and grandma told him they had to go to their plane. As they were leaving I winked at the mom and grandma and blew them a kiss. They both smiled lovingly at me. The young boy saw me blow this kiss to his mom, so he came running back to me and gave me a big hug AND a kiss on the cheek! So sweet!!! I will never forget him. I thought he told me his name was Sasha, but when I said "Paka Sasha", his mom told me his name was actually Ilya! Ilya is my friend, Maria's husband, who died a few years ago. It is a common name in Russia, but it still made our connection feel even stronger!!

Ilya speeding his way to me!

If you like to travel, like I do, I recommend having fun with it. If you don't like to travel, but have to, I recommend trying to have fun with it! :0). You don't have to dress up as a clown. Just bring a toy or a puppet or something else you like to have fun doing. Maybe knitting? And interact with someone around you using what you brought. Maybe even put on a nose, if you are so willing? But you don't have to. People everywhere just love to laugh and smile and play, especially when they are in an airport waiting for a plane. Tell me your stories!

Now Go Out and Hug Someone in an Airport Today!!!

 

Here and Now

I have just returned from my "annual" trip to Russia, more specifically Beslan. I try to go to Russia once a year and play with my friend Maria and her organization Maria's Children. 6 out of the last 7 years I have traveled to Moscow (Maria's Base) and together as a group we travel to Beslan for a week of Teaching, Fun, Play, Painting, and Friendship. If you don't know the story of Beslan, you can google "Beslan Siege 2004" and get a plethora of info. Some of it is inaccurate and guesswork on what happened and why, but the basic story is real and tragic.

On this year's trip I learned the phrase Here and Now. Apparently it was a common response from one of the clowns on Patch's trip this past November. I love the sentiment of this phrase and am going to adopt it as much as I possibly can into everyday life. I recommend you use it also, as it fits into your life and day.

The basic idea of the phrase is whenever asked "where are we?" the answer is always HERE and whenever asked "What time is it?" the time is NOW! For the kids in Beslan, and most kids really, that is all they need and want to know. That you are Here and your are here Now. IN THE MOMENT is mostly what kids are looking for all over the world. So live in the Here and Now.

The children love me Here and Now.

My here and now trip got rolling as I was teaching my first puppet class ever. I had a very simple idea of doing a show called "Sleepy Birds" with 6 bird puppets. I figured a smaller class would work better for me. See, usually my classes in the past have typically deteriorated into chaos. Fun and playful chaos, but chaos none the less. Last year I gave up on teaching a class and just floated around playing and joining Maria in her class for a day. This year I wanted to be part of the show and teach kids again. The first day (and only day actually) of class I realized I did not have an interpreter. No problem, I figured the puppets didn't talk so we didn't need much language. I had 6 boys with me ages 10 -12. I started out by showing them what I had in mind. They mimicked  me and we had fun with it for about 30 minutes. I then wanted to get more into the heart of what the "show" would be and that is where I lost them, Ha. It was all good, as I went with the Here and Now motto and just played with them the rest of the class. I really thought the next day I would get an interpreter and the show would be easy enough to learn.

The next day Maria told me that ALL of the children in her class were asking where I was. Last year I spent a day with Maria and her class "helping" with mosaics or painting. I couldn't say no this year. When Lena asked me if I would be in the same class as the day before, I said "No class for me today, I am going with Maria". She took it in stride along with the boys in my class. They LIVE the Here and Now anyway, so they joined in with Guillaume and his class of improv. It really was best for all involved I feel. None of the boys were disappointed and had a fabulous time with my friend Guillaume, which ALL kids do! So I was  not surprised. I played with Maria's class and had so much fun living in the Here and Now.

The third and last day of classes I thought maybe I would get my class back and finish teaching. Then someone reminded me of our annual trip to have marozhna with Maria's class. Marozhna is ice cream and I can not say no to ice cream! Or to 50 plus playful kids for that matter, ha! So I went to have ice cream and my boys played with Guillaume again, all of us living in the Here and Now!



Ice cream with the kids
 

Marozhna!/Ice cream!

The show came around on Friday and it was a hit like it is every year. Once again, I was not in the show, but my boys were... with Guillaume. All enjoying the Here and Now of the show. I was totally happy watching them play on stage while I played in the audience with kids who also didn't get to be on stage. The week turned out perfect! All because we went with the Here and Now philosophy!

Guillaume with his class on stage. So funny!

I hope you have enjoyed today's post. I have a few stories I will be sharing in the coming weeks, so look for some more posts this week and next. Some of the stories are fun and some heart wrenching. Below is a good quote to end this blog. Thanks for reading.

Abraham Lincoln is commonly regarded as the best president in USA history. His quote below rings sound and true with todays post. Living in the Here and Now. What will your Mother's son or Father's daughter be?
“I don't know who my grandfather was; I am much more concerned to know what his grandson will be.” 
― Abraham Lincoln


Now Go Out and Hug Someone Now who is with you There!!!


 

Speechless

Logo for Speechless

Hello Everyone. A friend of mine just told me about a new ABC sitcom called "Speechless" starring Minnie Driver. She felt it was hilarious, but was a little worried it might be insensitive. So she asked me to watch it and tell her my thoughts. I LOVE it! I have sent it on to some friends who work with people with disabilities to make sure I was not being insensitive. I am not the be all know all for folks with disabilities, far from it! So far, my friends feel it is very funny and shows some of the "silliness" that people who can't talk (and other people with extra challenges) have to endure.

Suse waiting for her hot air balloon ride.

I have sent it to my friend Suse to get her opinion too. Suse is "speechless" as you all know. She hasn't had a chance to watch it yet due to working 40 plus hours a week and some government regulations. But I already know she will approve it. We (Her, Connie and I) have lived some of the moments from the TV show. Believe me, it happens all the time! People get in her face and talk really slowly to her and ask her "If... she... is... doing... OK??" In slow, silly voices. It makes us laugh every time it happens, but only because we are used to it. Suse is smarter than Connie and I put together. But people assume since she can't talk and has to use a wheelchair that somehow that makes her less intelligent. It is a silly notion really. It just emphasizes that we need more education about people with disabilities, speechless or otherwise. It needs to start with our children I feel. It has gotten better over the past 20 plus years. I know, cause when I started working at Easter Seals camps in 1994, I didn't even know what Easter Seals did really. I have learned A LOT over the past 20 years, AND I still have more to learn. Just two weeks ago I jumped in an elevator in front of someone in a wheelchair! That person had to then go take another elevator because of my rudeness. Connie pointed it out to me and I felt so ashamed! The point is, if someone does something that appears silly, rude, wrong or whatever... don't chastise them, but instead educate them. We all need educated and reminders, even ME... ESPECIALLY ME! :0)

Micah Fowler. I would like to think he gives my blog post 2 thumbs up!

The characters on the show are funny and "real". I looked up the young man who plays the "speechless" teen on the show. I don't know anything about him really, other than what the world wide web tells me and some quotes by him. He is not speechless in real life, but he does live with Cerebral Palsy and has to use a wheelchair at times to get around. He knows, I am sure, what it is like to get some of the reactions that his character gets on the show. He does an exceptional job from what I have seen to portray people who have disabilities and what they might think or do or feel. Bravo to him and the writers in my opinion.

I am not a big Minnie Driver fan personally, but I love her in this. She is flat out hilarious!
The dad on the show played a character on my favorite TV show "Big Bang Theory". I didn't like his character on BBT, but I love his character on this show. The two siblings do a good job of showing what it is like to be a sibling of someone with a disability. They have their own challenges to overcome and that is depicted well in the show I feel. At the end of the day, they love their brother, but they deserve special attention just like he does. Which illustrates the point that just because someone does have a disability, doesn't mean they should be given everything... just the respect and opportunities to live like anyone else!

I have watched a few episodes of "Speechless". They are all funny. Some funnier than others. Some scenes are way over the top I feel, but that is just me. Some scenes are too mushy for my taste. But bottom line is it shows some real things that happen and it will stimulate talk about it I am sure. So, I recommend you watch a couple of episodes and educate yourself and others. At least watch the Pilot episode and one other. If you have any comments, suggestions, or questions about the show feel free to comment on my blog or email me what you think. I would LOVE to know.

I highly recommend watching the show with your children! Then having a discussion after the show about what THEY learned, felt, etc.! If your children have any questions, please have them email me directly or  better yet have them contact a local organization that works with people with disabilities and get some answers. Maybe they would like to volunteer? There are a ton of organizations and people out there that can use help. Summer camps, Easter Seals, Cerebral Palsy Foundation, Muscular Dystrophy, Autism, Elderly Folks, Youth... just to name a few.

cheepski@gmail.com
Rodney Daly


           Now Go Out and Hug Someone Today!!!