“You are cared for by the universe beyond that which you can measure or understand right now.”—Regina Dawn Akers
Salaam Shabbi!
That may not be spelled right, but that’s what we’re saying these days in Lawrence, Kansas as we host the Algerian World Cup team. Between non-stop street parties, our marching band learning the Algerian national anthem and our quaint little downtown festooning itself in green and red, we’ve managed to create quite a stir. Stan Herd, our local crop artist, even created a ½-acre Algerian flag.
So in honor of last night’s victory of Les Fennecs (our newly-adopted team), I thought I’d take a moment to share with you, my beloved readers, a couple stories that defy the typical fear nonsense kicked up by our crazy egos.
For example, our culture seems to think making a profit should always take precedence, that creating capital is the end-all-be all.
As of last February, a café in Minneapolis has turned that restrictive system on its head. The owner of Post Modern Times decided it would no longer operate as a profit-based business. From that point on, it became a free and donation-based restaurant. While some 40 percent of its patrons don’t donate, the economic equality created with this new model has caused the restaurant to thrive, well beyond its previous levels.
In France, a group of businesses are opening their offices to homeless people in the evenings when they’re not using them. Called the Bureaux du Coeur (“Offices of the Heart”), the non-profit was started by business leaders who believe economic activity should serve society. What a concept!
Together with social service agencies, the now-national movement is consistently described as life-changing. Not only do participants find a sense of belonging (they often stay for coffee when the staff arrives), but old stereotypes about homelessness have been blown to smithereens.
Speaking of stereotypes, I also loved the story about a prison in Washington whose inmates are now rehabilitating endangered butterflies.
So I’ll sign off today with this question: “What beliefs do you have that might be restricting new possibilities?”
Happy Tuesday!
#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.
16 Responses
Pam I wonder if I sent you a copy of a book that defies everything “normal” you would be so kind as to give it a read. I think it’s meant for the world stage – I just am not sure how to accomplish that. Btw my daughter went to KU – loved Lawrence! Suffice to say – I didn’t think at 69yo I’d be apart of something magical like this book. But I said yes and now “In the Company of Anton” is a lovely journey to remembrance.
Tell me more. I might be interested in receiving a copy.
Such wonderful stories! Thank you for lifting our spirits, Pam. Love how you beam positivity to your readers… and beyond!
That’s me—a blooming beamer.
Thanks Pam. Love all of this 🙏🏼🩷
Me, too!
Oh wow Pam! What wonderful stories and examples of how anything and everything truly is possible, if we open our minds, hearts and eyes to seeing it and believing it into reality. Those examples perfectly demonstrate the saying “be the change you want to see in the world.” Amen! Love your posts dear Pam! Thank you for regularly feeding our souls with stories that encourage, inspire, and brighten our days. You rock! 😄👏🏼💃🥰
Thank you, as always, sweet friend!
A newsletter from Pam is so uplifting. Blessings and best wishes from Brisbane, Australia 🦘
Thanks for the blessings and best wishes! I LOVE Brisbane!
Oh Pam, this piece was just what my heart wanted to read. It validates that instead of searching for Hope, Joy, Peace and Love, I have embodied those beautiful energies and have become them and it has changed my life. Through my hectic travels as of late, writings and connections with others…these energies show up and mirror this truth. Thank you for sharing this and all the other newsletters over the years…nobody has asked you to do this but, yet, you show up and change us just by the way you live your life. In gratitude for you ~ Terry💖🕊️
Wow! Terry! You made my day!
Your note is what I would call the real news. Real people doing real things from their heart to help others. It’s the way of the Bohdisatvah. 🙏💙
Absolutely! The truest real news! May we all be bodhisatvahs!
I have been wondering lately if those folks who are “going after the green” are really looking for love in all the wrong places. In the chakra system, the Heart charka’s color is green. What they really want (and need) is love and acceptance. Money is just a pile of dirty paper. The real energy that makes things happen is “LOVE”. The Beatles said it in song many years ago – all you need is love.
Glad to see that this kind of stuff is finally happening. “Street people”, as I call them because the Earth/Universe is my home so I can never be homeless, are just people. All kinds of them. I have been one of them since January 1, 2024. At first I was seen as the dregs of society. Now I am a little bit more accepted. And I have still been able to do healing work for folks, but now they don’t even realize that is what is happening in their lives. Plus my perspective on people and life has changed as well. Thank you, Father Greg Boyle of Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles who I met on a free book shelf in a community center. You helped me to reach a state of compassion and being able to see everyone with eyes of “cherished belonging”. We are family!! All of us. Yesterday I spent the day laughing. What better life is that!!!
Absolutely! Spending a whole day laughing is a perfect day! Sounds like you’ve found true riches! And thank you for helping us all open our eyes! Love to you!