"How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment
before starting to improve the world." Anne Frank
HOW IS A TYPICAL MEETING RUN?
Our meetings start at 7:00 p.m. There is no obligation, Heartworks simply benefits your life, and if you want to come then come. We are serious about not being another obligation that you feel you HAVE to do or SHOULD do. We have wine and appetizers for the first hour and then dinner. After dinner we begin our meeting with a gratitude exercise. We believe gratitude is what keeps us centered and that it is important to go throughout the day remembering to be thankful instead of dwelling on the negative aspects of our lives. After saying thank you, we talk about acts of kindness projects and usually a particular topic about life. We light two candles each month. One for our troops serving over seas and one for Maggie Doyne, a young local woman building an orphanage in Nepal (for more information, visit our Project page). We end the evening with dessert, meditation and prayer.
“OPPORTUNITIES” PERFORMED BY NJ HEARTWORKS
Here is a list of some examples the NJ Heartworks has done along with helpful hints and spiritual growth opportunities for participants. Remember that it is not only OK to “get something” out of doing kind deeds for people, it is necessary for motivation and is part of the beauty of the human experience to be affected and have our hearts cracked open by one another’s challenges.
MAKE DINNERS FOR NEW MOMS AND PEOPLE EXPERIENCING LOSS
This hopefully helps people feel less isolated and just makes one thing easier in their day. Check with the person to see if they want to meet everyone as they bring the dinner or if they want to leave a cooler outside for people to put the dinners in. Remind members to add a personal note. Check for any allergies or food favorites and least favorites. SPIRITUAL OPPORTUNITY: To step out of our own day and be present with someone else’s experience.
START A BIRTHDAY DINNER CLUB
This allows members to make dinner for other members during their birthday month. We sign up and each month an e-mail goes out to the group looking for volunteers to cook a meal for the birthday girls. The Birthday girl gets to choose the night dinner is delivered. SPIRITUAL OPPORTUNITY: Gives members the opportunity to practice receiving and being taken care of by another person in this small way. We can't expect others to receive if we are too proud or hesitant to do it ourselves. When we are taking care of others, it is important to take care of ourselves.
GIVE A SUM OF MONEY IN SMALL BILLS TO A FAMILY WHO IS GRIEVING
This can be used for errands, lunch money and will hopefully just be on hand when a few dollars are needed. Package up the money in a beautiful gift bag as a way of presenting it as a gift rather than a “donation.” Attach a card explaining what it is for. One of the challenges with grief is managing the small, tedious day to day tasks and this small act will hopefully eliminate some of this for a moment. SPIRITUAL OPPORTUNITY: This is good practice in remembering we do not have to reinvent the wheel. Just take one small task of everyday life and attempt to make it easier for someone. The power of healing can reach people through a simple gesture such as this.
DONATE TO ANY CHILD OR TEENAGER WHO IS RAISING AWARENESS FOR A CAUSE
We send a standard $50.00 check to any child we find that is doing good deeds and changing the world (from the newspaper, media or word of mouth). Send a note of encouragement to let them know they are supported and a part of a bigger picture.
SPIRITUAL OPPORTUNITY: Passing on the principal of taking risks and getting involved with kids that are making a difference in the world.
CREATE PERSONAL GIFT BASKETS
If a person is receiving treatments for health issues, is just plain sick or grieving, find out what they are interested in and make a basket of some favorite things. Examples are books, favorite candy and snacks, DVDs, toys, new pajamas and slippers etc… Have members include their own favorite inspirational quotes and prayers. Check with the receiver to see what they like (new pajamas may make someone feel good and for another person it may be important that they get up and get dressed each day) and do not assume things regarding their experience. Check for any family allergies, food likes and dislikes. Make a family basket filled with games/ activities for a family game night along with a gift card to a local restaurant for take out.
SPIRITUAL OPPORTUNITY: Working with a group for a collective purpose, celebrating someone else’s interests, giving a personalized gift that validates another person’s experience.
WRITE NOTES OF SUPPORT
Never underestimate the power of the written word! Any member who knows of someone who could use notes and prayers can bring stationary, envelopes and stamps to a meeting and everyone can express their own support. Try not to use all the same stationary, this is a small way to make things personal as opposed to a seemingly “forced” group activity. Have an ongoing collection of “extra” or “left over” stationary on hand from members for when this activity is appropriate. This will also save on spending money on stationary that could go to other uses. This is an inexpensive, simple way to support someone for any reason, big or seemingly small.
SPIRITUAL OPPORTUNITY: Creating space for personal expression, opportunity to share personal stories and connect with each other.
Here is a list of some examples the NJ Heartworks has done along with helpful hints and spiritual growth opportunities for participants. Remember that it is not only OK to “get something” out of doing kind deeds for people, it is necessary for motivation and is part of the beauty of the human experience to be affected and have our hearts cracked open by one another’s challenges.
MAKE DINNERS FOR NEW MOMS AND PEOPLE EXPERIENCING LOSS
This hopefully helps people feel less isolated and just makes one thing easier in their day. Check with the person to see if they want to meet everyone as they bring the dinner or if they want to leave a cooler outside for people to put the dinners in. Remind members to add a personal note. Check for any allergies or food favorites and least favorites. SPIRITUAL OPPORTUNITY: To step out of our own day and be present with someone else’s experience.
START A BIRTHDAY DINNER CLUB
This allows members to make dinner for other members during their birthday month. We sign up and each month an e-mail goes out to the group looking for volunteers to cook a meal for the birthday girls. The Birthday girl gets to choose the night dinner is delivered. SPIRITUAL OPPORTUNITY: Gives members the opportunity to practice receiving and being taken care of by another person in this small way. We can't expect others to receive if we are too proud or hesitant to do it ourselves. When we are taking care of others, it is important to take care of ourselves.
GIVE A SUM OF MONEY IN SMALL BILLS TO A FAMILY WHO IS GRIEVING
This can be used for errands, lunch money and will hopefully just be on hand when a few dollars are needed. Package up the money in a beautiful gift bag as a way of presenting it as a gift rather than a “donation.” Attach a card explaining what it is for. One of the challenges with grief is managing the small, tedious day to day tasks and this small act will hopefully eliminate some of this for a moment. SPIRITUAL OPPORTUNITY: This is good practice in remembering we do not have to reinvent the wheel. Just take one small task of everyday life and attempt to make it easier for someone. The power of healing can reach people through a simple gesture such as this.
DONATE TO ANY CHILD OR TEENAGER WHO IS RAISING AWARENESS FOR A CAUSE
We send a standard $50.00 check to any child we find that is doing good deeds and changing the world (from the newspaper, media or word of mouth). Send a note of encouragement to let them know they are supported and a part of a bigger picture.
SPIRITUAL OPPORTUNITY: Passing on the principal of taking risks and getting involved with kids that are making a difference in the world.
CREATE PERSONAL GIFT BASKETS
If a person is receiving treatments for health issues, is just plain sick or grieving, find out what they are interested in and make a basket of some favorite things. Examples are books, favorite candy and snacks, DVDs, toys, new pajamas and slippers etc… Have members include their own favorite inspirational quotes and prayers. Check with the receiver to see what they like (new pajamas may make someone feel good and for another person it may be important that they get up and get dressed each day) and do not assume things regarding their experience. Check for any family allergies, food likes and dislikes. Make a family basket filled with games/ activities for a family game night along with a gift card to a local restaurant for take out.
SPIRITUAL OPPORTUNITY: Working with a group for a collective purpose, celebrating someone else’s interests, giving a personalized gift that validates another person’s experience.
WRITE NOTES OF SUPPORT
Never underestimate the power of the written word! Any member who knows of someone who could use notes and prayers can bring stationary, envelopes and stamps to a meeting and everyone can express their own support. Try not to use all the same stationary, this is a small way to make things personal as opposed to a seemingly “forced” group activity. Have an ongoing collection of “extra” or “left over” stationary on hand from members for when this activity is appropriate. This will also save on spending money on stationary that could go to other uses. This is an inexpensive, simple way to support someone for any reason, big or seemingly small.
SPIRITUAL OPPORTUNITY: Creating space for personal expression, opportunity to share personal stories and connect with each other.
CURRENT MEETING NOTES
September 2008