As part of 52 weeks we have to write about something in the news. This is not exactly in the news but do you ever have that feeling that the universe is trying to tell you something? I had a serendipitous moment a few weeks ago that really had me wondering whether I was being passed a note of karmic proportions. It all started with Wil, who I can boast that I have known for 30 years. She was the very first person I met on my very first day at boarding school and I don’t remember very much from those early weeks but I remember with clarity that moment she first spoke to me. She would probably laugh at the cheesy small talk that left her nervous 12 year old mouth. Last year I sent her birthday greetings and received a harried reply of her giving up work, dealing with the silly season and packing up house for a move to India with her husband and two gorgeous children. They had decided to walk the walk and her husband works in Micro Finance for 3rd world businesses (I think that sums it up). Her most recent email, without exaggeration, made me laugh and made me cry. I am in awe of what she is doing and really don’t know if I could do the same.
In the same week I received an email from an old friend I worked with at Microsoft. He’s now working for a not for profit that runs an orphanage in Tanzania – www.foodwatershelter.org and wanted advice of the web geek variety. It just started me thinking… am I supposed to be doing something else? When discussing this with the cyclist he asked me where we were going to move to… I’m not sure that’s the answer but surely there’s a lot of good that can be done in my own backyard. Do you volunteer or work for a not for profit? I would love to know.
About the photos: The are both by Wil and used with permission. Here are her explanations:
Top: Bara Imambara (Lucknow) – built by the Imams 3 centuries ago – with a quirky labyrinth winding its way to the roof and this view.
Bottom: Zardozie embroidery work – elaborate, elegant & highly skilled. This is work for MFI clients in Lucknow. Here 2 men begin part of the design and then it is taken to women in villages to finish.
MORE INFO: http://sourcing.indiamart.com/apparel/apparel-industry/embroidery-market/zardozi-embroidery/
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