NEWSLETTER : January 2006

Dear Friends,

No matter what they say, the wish for more spirituality is growing. Even scientists say so. And about time too.

People are increasingly seeking answers to their innermost questions, looking for meaning, slightly abandoning fashionable scepticism and even that zeitgeist inspired facade of slightly cynical cool customer.

We are experiencing the early morning of an age of the renaissance of true values, mark my word.

Also there are more calls now than ever for some occidental style "guiding culture" allover the globe. Nothing wrong with that if handled with care, please and as long as this culture is benevolent, tolerant and open minded. And knowing right from wrong. And acting accordingly.

However, in my book such an approach should almost exclude tolerance for those displaying or preaching zero tolerance...zilch, actually.
My personal opinion.

I'll never cease to believe in Hope & Love, whatever may happen to me, both are the core strenghts of the original MIZPAH idea and my Feelosophy, though sometimes Tender Loving Care has to be transposed to Tough Loving Care.

And I'll never cease to believe in creating chances.

Reason why I am working to "overcoming those borderlines" of any kind.
The famous English writer Rudyard Kipling stated :
East is East and West is West and the twain shall never meet, or so, but I cannot agree with him there.

At the end of the day we are all raising our faces towards the same light.

But back to the people who in times of growing unease, dangers of all sorts and emo-social coolness feel increasingly un-loved, let down and left out and often with that nagging question: what is my life all about?

Who shall provide the answer?

We are living in times of several pages of the great big book turning and not all of the pages are in favour of those who have always been so easily forgotten before and who, after removing the thin cosmetic varnish of goodie-goodie style government and society once again, stare into the grinning face of spin doctor refined, secular Post Neo Darwinism par excellence, but without the correct label attached.

Where do they go? Who will find and invite them away from their state of bleakness?
Only those who are still connected with and setting out to share that spiritual bedrock of positive belief - HOPE.
No matter who and where they are and how they summon that strength or whatever keeps them going:
you people are my personal heroes! You inspire me and deserve any trouble.

Living the dream. Not, repeat NOT an impossible dream at all. All we need to do is stay connected with those two great gifts to human beings; the ability to hope and to love.

You know HOPE to be the one wing of MIZPAH, so let us move on to the second wing LOVE for a little?

The wonderful English language commands at least 578 different ways to say "I love you".

But there is more to loving than meets the eye.

The ancient Greeks had sussed that "crazy little thing called love" phantastically (as usual), yet sadly the then famous six names of love have paled if not vanished over time, but shall us here and now have a little taster, let's?

MANIA ~ very emotional, romantic, unpredictable, unstable.
LUDUS ~ playful, flirtatious, a fashion or sport.
EROS ~ pure passion, physical, stirring, transient.
PRAGMA ~ practical, helpful, focussed.
STORGE ~ affection created by time and compatibility.
AGAPE ~ spiritual, self disinterested, altruistic.

There is a time in life for each of the six ways of love, each of the first three in line in it's own right ever so absolutely and typically human and great to experience, the fourth PRAGMA good and necessary, but my favourites will always be STORGE and especially AGAPE. The latter being eternal. Unselfish, unconditional love is what we are all really looking for, especially in times of challenge and change.

Do we get it? Is unconditional love a myth, a slightly delusive idea like the end of the rainbow?

No! That love exists.

But sometimes we all need a lesson in reality to help us along.

One other very interesting school of ancient philosophy, the Stoa, recommended to remember death at least once a day, helping be clearer in appreciating what is and effectively cherishing the people around you more. Memento Mori jewellery was very popular later as well.

That thought might appear a little chilling at first, but if a closer look is dared you may learn a lot, especially not to marginalize or even take any love, effort, goodwill or even sacrifice for granted. Try to imagine being without it all of a sudden. The person, the feeling, the situation gone for good. In most cases- not nice, is it?
Not so much me, myself and I left then. Or self pity. But emptiness, loss and remorse aplenty.
A little crass but quite effective thought to keep one on one's toes, emotionally and sometimes spiritually too.

Any form of love creating that mystical, enjoyable, fascinating Elixier of Life, but HOPE moves mountains and sharing LOVE of the eternal kind is the reason to live.

I know what I'm talking about. There comes at least one point in life when you acutely realize what is important and what not and no matter how tough the going might get, the connection with love eternal remains, the guiding light is there and before you know it you are ready for that mountain top.

That's MIZPAH.

When my father lay dying in my arm some years ago he regretted only one thing: "Not to have given more love".
Ultimately touching insight of an enlightened soul. Never too late, never unheard, of course.

Again, MIZPAH.

So let us all aim for MORE LOVE! Looking out for, reaching out to those in need of more love.

A New Year is about to begin and from my heart I wish you all a happy, healthy and prosperous 2006!

As well as more love ... and an invisible pair of MIZPAH wings - for hope and for love !

Yours truly,

Helena Lind

I wish you shelter from the storm,
A cozy fire to keep you warm;
But most of all, when snowflakes fall,
I wish you love.
Albert A. Beach / Charles Trenet

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