Action Changes Things

Each week when it comes time to put together the newsletter there is so much material to share it almost seems like an impossible task.  This week is especially difficult for a few reasons: it's earth week, we have three new courses to announce for our Charter Education Institute and there is a new page on our website, "Action Changes Things!. Starting tomorrow, April 16 and running through Earth Day, April 22, we have a special conference call each day.  We announced the sessions last week, but they are so important to repeat.  You can get full descriptions of each call by clicking here.

Saturday, April 16, 9 am PDT: Screening of "How Do Humans Heal a World? with Barbara Kaufmann, Walking Mood Studios, and Sommer Albertsen, Compassion Games Internation. Register here. Barbara and Sommer will discuss grief and how we can process our feelings about what is happening to our planet in ways that are healthy, motivating and inspirational so we can move past it and go about the work of stewardship for the Earth. Complete description of the session.

Sunday, April 17, 9 am PDT: Climate, Compassion and Community Building: Sustainability with Justice with Paloma Pavel and Carl Anthony. Register here. Climate change is a critical moment within our lifetime. Yet, the global breakdown of economy, environment and equity is also an unparalleled opportunity for a reimagining of our purpose on the planet and a comprehensive coming home to our place in the Universe. The Breakthrough Communities team offers this interactive dialogue and workshop to better understand how to approach climate justice from a place of compassion to transform ourselves, our communities, and the planet. Complete description of session.

Monday, April 18, 9 am PDT: Love this Place, Serve the Earth: Collaboration is Necessary for the Earth with Jon Ramer and Joey Crotty. Register here. Jon Ramer, First first follower, Compassion Games International, will be showcasing LIVE a new song for Mother Earth. Joining Jon is Joey Crotty, a storyteller, writer and rogue techy supporting the Compassion Games. Complete description of the session.

Tuesday, April 19, 9 am PDT: Practicing Green Compassion: Can We Re-Green the World in One Generation? with Marc Barasch. Register here. “A compassionate civilization is not a utopian fantasy; it’s an evolutionary imperative.” Marc Barasch, Green World’s founder says that environmental activism and sustainability is not enough; we have to implement holistic solutions for regeneration that aren’t competitive but include everybody and treat people and planet as an inseparable unity. From here on, it’s going to mean survival not of the fittest but of the kindest. Come and explore with Marc, how to re-green the world. Complete description of the session.

Wednesday, April 20, 9 am PDT: “The Science of Climate Change” with Dr. David Poister. Register here. Although the techniques used by scientists to measure and predict the effects of climate change are complex, the fundamental physical and chemical processes that cause these changes are quite understandable. This presentation will explain these processes to give participants without a scientific background a basic understanding of climate change science. Complete description of the session.

Thursday, April 21, 9 am PDT: Shifts in the Culture around Climate with Sarah van Gelder of Yes! Magazine and George Price of the University of Montana. Register here. Join us for a conversation with Sarah van Gelder, co-founder and editor at large of Yes! Magazine and George Price, professor of African American and Native American Studies at the University of Montana. The conversation will focus on cultural shifts that offer promise for a unified action against climate change. Complete description of the session.

EARTH DAY: Friday, April 22, 9 am PDT: Ignite Engagement for Earth Stewardship Across Generations with Jane Goodall, Chief Phil Lane, Jr., Rex Weyler and Xiuhtezcatl. Register here. Need we say more? Check out the full description here.

Earth Day April 22, 12 noon PST.Watch This Changes Everything during Earth Week and join the conversation with Dr. Reese Halter and Dave Witzel of Hummingbird Labs on Earth Day –join us!  We will discuss - unearthing our hearts for nature, advancing climate as the people’s movement and fostering the emergence of a regenerative economy.  The session will be recorded for those who watch the film during the week and want to listen to the replay later. Sign up for the program http://video.compathos.com/programs.

Learn more about each course, the instructor's bio and how to register for each course. Each course is open for registration through May.  Each course is available to begin starting on May 9.

Turn Your Pain into Your Purpose: Become the Compassion You Seek (Facilitated by: Ronit Gabay)

Obstacles are the way. No one wants to suffer, but life without pain has no value. The course “Turn Your Pain into Your Purpose” wishes to highlight your value, turning your own pain into a treasure. The course practices Awakening of Empathy, which is driven from the experience of pain. When we experience pain we become compassionate. But that is not enough. There are two approaches for compassion: Discover your pain, then be careful not to inflict it on others. In that case you become mindful about not hurting people. The other one is Discover your pain, then, do anything and everything to make sure that no one is going to suffer the same pain.

Unlock Yourself (Facilitated by: Anna Huysse-Gaytandjiev, Ph.D.)

While changes always have been a part of life, nowadays the pace, continuity, and expansion of changes is increasing. The working environment is becoming much more interdisciplinary, international, and competitive. Employees are expected to be able to do more of their normal work duties in less time, to fulfil additional tasks, often in an international setting and in a climate of high competition. The work-life balance is getting more and more demanding (combining careers, kids, care, social life, more and more in multicultural settings, etc.) while work and private life are blurring. As a result, workplaces require almost continuous adaptation by employees.

Your Balancing Knack – Taking Care of Yourself along the Way (Facilitated by: Debra Dane Scholten)

Your Balancing Knack - Taking Care of Yourself Along the Way" offers definitive reasons why balance and self-compassion are essential components of enjoyable, busy lives. It doesn't merely offer a laundry list of self-care techniques. Instead, it acknowledges and addresses the root of the barriers for balance and self-compassion. Then, drawing upon Positive Psychology and the wisdom of the Masters of the Art of Living, Your Balancing Knack offers simple, unique, and customizable methods to implement today!

The Charter’s global compassion movement is built on the principle that all the parts need to support the whole – we are seeking "eco-systemic" health by honoring entities that exchange in a two-way flow of energy, financial support, and recognition.

There’s a lot you can do to help empower the Charter to make compassion a clear, luminous, and dynamic force in our polarized world. Our message is great, and our efforts are grassroots. We are looking for individuals, organizations and corporations that would like to help us spread compassion. Many of you have been asking how you can help and we've come up with a number of diverse ways. Please take a look at our "How Can I Empower Compassion?" page.

As always, we also welcome your thoughtful and generous donations. Donate here. Last week we received $860 from our members. Thank you.