Still sprinkling magical fairy dust

“The world could use a new story.”—Thomas Berry

Joyous 2/22! The day Taz and I officially announce this year’s recipients of the Taz Grout 222 Foundation awards!

Per usual, there were countless submissions with countless, beautiful ideas for uplifting consciousness.

Thank you one and all for your creative pitches.

Our mission, as you know, is to amplify projects that rewrite the dream of the modern world from separation, consumption and acquisition to the dream of creativity and self-expression.

We believe the pursuit of happiness comes from human solidarity, simple living, respect for nature and empowerment of all people.

Taz, of course, has a much wider viewpoint and reminds me constantly how important it is to tune into an infinite mindset where nothing is impossible. Otherwise, she says, you keep imagining and creating the same old thing.

To that end, we have chosen two projects this year — alongside a few continuing favorites such as Lovelights, the Ubuntu camps in South Africa, and the local Taz Grout Community Garden.

I am honored and excited to introduce the 2026 recipients of the Taz Grout 222 awards:

The Earth Elders. It doesn’t take a PhD to recognize that the materialist, capitalist story is breaking down. That it’s so obvious and in-your-face is actually great news because it makes it impossible to argue for upholding current paradigms.

We believe it’s time to create a new, more satisfying story. Or in the case of this global nonprofit, a return to an ancient story of being one with all life, with the earth, with each other.

Earth Elders works to preserve indigenous knowledge systems, turning to ancient wisdom for the oh-so-necessary project of global transformation.  It honors deep connections with the living earth and anchors in a more abundant and satisfying reality than the one we’re currently hurtling towards.

Not only are the elders creating what they call an earth shield, an initiative that safeguards 52 biocultural territories, but they’re establishing 13 Earth Schools (with more to come) and advancing laws and policies that recognize nature as conscious with rights, spirit and a voice.

In 2013, more than 150 indigenous leaders came together in the Sierra de Santa Marta in Northern Colombia to address the man-made crisis facing the world. After days of spiritual ceremony, they were given clear instructions and a roadmap from Mother Earth.

We are so proud to support that roadmap that guides humanity back into balance with the living world. Not to mention, how thrilled I am that a couple of the indigenous elders offered to say a prayer and give an offering in Taz’s name.

I will be sharing a few anecdotes from the elders in the near future including one that involves a ritual with King Charles and a nearly-extinct white butterfly.

Equal Measure Arts. She had us at donuts. When Leigh Kellis wrote to nominate Equal Measure Arts, a new-ish nonprofit in the Portland, Maine Arts District, she not only sent a fabulous video of her singing, Somewhere Over the Rainbow, but she offered to send donuts.

Turns out, when Leigh’s not serving as Sam Monaco’s sidekick in this innovative recording studio that serves immigrant and low-income kids, she owns a thriving donut shop.  

But what really put this pitch over the top is that Equal Measure Arts stands for EVERYTHING the Taz Grout 222 Foundation looks to support: changing consciousness (making music, after all, should be available to everyone), inspiring creativity (this recording studio gives kids a place to tell—er rather sing!—their story) and trusting in the beneficent force that wants to guide and inspire us all. 

Monaco, who already owns a solar-powered music studio inside an 1840’s farmhouse, says he was “compelled by a force behind himself” to create this inclusive nonprofit in the Portland Arts District.

To name just a few projects, they’ve already recorded four traditional songs from Maine’s indigenous Wabanaki culture, now featured at the Portland Children’s Museum and launched the careers of several young recording artists including Alma June and the Persian Cats and Adele Edelawit, who describes herself as a coastal cowgirl originally from Ethiopia.

Thank you, Leigh, and just know I plan to fly there later this year to claim those donuts.

Here’s to interrupting our regularly-scheduled programming and to knowing that all things, all people, all worlds are imperturbably connected.

#222 Forever!

Pam Grout is the author of 22 books including E-Squared, Thank & Grow Rich , The Course in Miracles Experiment: A Starter Kit for Rewiring Your Mind (And Therefore Your World)and her latest, The Ego’s Playbook.