The Virtual Teahouse

Part 2: Who is it we're really giving to?

Beth Patterson — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 19:46:00 GMT

This is part 2 in a series in re-defining giving. Part 3 will be some creative small-dollar but high value gifting concepts, websites, stories. It will be posted November 24. Part 1 discussed how cross pollination between the for-profit/donor sector and the non-profit/charity sector needs to be more evident. This is a deceptively simple answer: We're giving to ourselves, once or twice removed. Two-three paychecks away. One disastrous accident or act of violence away. One traumatic birth away. One...(read more)

The ultimate list of writing tools you'll never find anywhere else...

Beth Patterson — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 22:06:00 GMT

...or at least all in one spot. My new online friend Billy Hammett's blog is Publexicon. He has just posted the first in a series of writing tips. Billy was a professor of writing for twenty years, so he knows whereof he speaks. The tips made me smile, so I'm sharing them. Here are a few of the tips that went 'yeah!' --When you get a rejection slip, correct it for errors in grammar, spelling and usage. It will boost your ego. --Make up fifty words that don’t exist—but should. --Pay attention to your...(read more)

The courage to see clearly

Beth Patterson — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 16:07:00 GMT

Visit for a plethora of poems about the November 16 prompt: courage Competing in triathlons she is an inspirational speaker. Climbing mountains she plays guitar and sings beautifully. Living alone she laughs at herself stays positive, serene and connected. While describing the autumn sky to her somehow she knows that particular quality of blue better than I ever will. Unassuming, she captures our hearts. Blind since birth she helps us see. Written in honor of a new friend, Nancy S. who moved into...(read more)

Who needs pockets? And what's so funny about tearing up paper?

Beth Patterson — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 19:22:00 GMT

Oh my gosh! This is the funniest thing I've seen in a month of Sundays (what does that colloquialism mean?) Sent to me by my friend and former boss, Bob S. Thanks, Bob...not quite sure what you meant by saying this might have been made of me... ";" galleryimg="no" mce_src="http://www.virtualteahouse.com/blogs/beth/WindowsLiveWriter/Whoneedspockets_9FB2/video93ce2603a7ca.jpg"> The second cutest video this week: ";" galleryimg="no" mce_src="http://www.virtualteahouse.com/blogs/beth/WindowsLiveWriter/Whoneedspockets_9FB2/video78aeec7dd712.jpg">...(read more)

Obama's top ten tasks

Beth Patterson — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 18:21:00 GMT

I have removed the bullet points from each of the ten 'to-do's' on this list so you'll go to Dave Pollard's site How to Save the World and read it all--every bit of it. So there. And then, either on Dave's site, or here, or both, write which are the ones you think are most important. My picks are # 7 and # 9. You can ask me to write more about it in the comments on this post...but only if you call out the ones you think are most important and why! ----Beth Obama's Top Ten Tasks Cartoon from the New...(read more)

Part 1 of 3: Cross-pollination is a good thing

Beth Patterson — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 17:57:00 GMT

This is part 1 of 3 posts on redefining giving. Cross pollination between the for-profit/donor sector and the non-profit world is not only good but increasingly vital. Part 2 will be about who is it we give to, anyway? It will be posted November 17. Part 3 will be some creative small-dollar but high value gifting concepts, websites, stories. It will be posted November 24. Yesterday in my office in a medium sized non-profit, I had a hallway conversation. It didn't mean much at the time, but as I've...(read more)

Beliefs Born On The Battlefield

NPR: This I Believe Podcast — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 16:11:46 GMT

There is perhaps no time that belief is more emphatically tested, and acted upon, than in war. For this Veterans Day, five essayists who served in battle from World War I through the Iraq war describe how the violence of combat shaped their beliefs. Read More......(read more)

Recovering The Hope of Childhood

NPR: This I Believe Podcast — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 22:33:11 GMT

While serving with the Air Force in Afghanistan, TJ Turner saw a country scarred by years of conflict. Yet in the faces of Afghan children, he saw a glimmer of optimism. Turner believes nurturing their hope can help bring an end to terrorism. Read More......(read more)

no good answer

Beth Patterson — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 05:19:00 GMT

I think these are actually geese and not 'dox', but you get the picture. If one plans to have baby-dox it's easier to have a para-dox but only because it takes an entire village to raise them. Here's the real puzzle: If a man raised in foreign places can become president of these united states why can't all people in love marry each other? Paradox abounds. Visit for a plethora of poems about the Nov. 9 prompt: paradox One Single Impression is a community of poets writing and sharing haiku and other...(read more)

Alice's love letter to Barack

Beth Patterson — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 00:53:00 GMT

An Open Letter to Barack Obama By Alice Walker | Commentary from The Root Alice Walker on expectations, responsibilities and a new reality that is almost more than the heart can bear. Nov. 5, 2008 Dear Brother Obama, You have no idea, really, of how profound this moment is for us. Us being the black people of the Southern United States. You think you know, because you are thoughtful, and you have studied our history. But seeing you deliver the torch so many others before you carried, year after year,...(read more)

A Taste Of Success

NPR: This I Believe Podcast — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 16:11:22 GMT

As a young teacher fresh out of graduate school, Geoffrey Canada saw how even the most troubled children could learn — all it took was finding the right approach. Today, Canada believes dedication and innovative teaching techniques can help any Read More......(read more)

The Great Sermon Ego

Meech — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 07:22:00 GMT

NOTE: I just have to say I'm extraordinarily proud to be a US citizen today. I deeply admire both Barak Obama and John McCain for the fine speeches they gave last night and I'm amazingly hopeful that the country so decisively chose hope over fear. I’m not that old but I have never witnessed the kind of jubilation I did last night. But Election Tuesday did not shine with all the brilliance it could because Proposition 8 was passed in CA, which is the first amendment in CA history to deny rights to...(read more)

Believing In The Political Process

NPR: This I Believe Podcast — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 21:51:48 GMT

The elections provide an opportunity to voice our hopes and aspirations. On Election Day 2008, four essayists explore their beliefs in the democratic process — from finding the power of the vote to seeking common ground in a divisive political climate Read More......(read more)

Leadership: being the river

Beth Patterson — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 06:06:00 GMT

This post is part of a synchroblog of Christian bloggers writing this month about leadership , just in time for the election. In thinking about this post, my mind ranged over all the leadership books I've read, trainings and team work that I've had the privilege to participate in over the 30 years in the world of work. In addition, opportunities in seminary to talk, read and study about church leadership were seminal. Nothing I've heard or read has been more powerful in focusing and challenging me...(read more)

Spiritual Leadership and the Re-humanizing of our World

Bill Ellis — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 17:08:00 GMT

This post is part of a synchroblog of Christian writers on the topic of leadership. When I think about spiritual leadership from the perspective of the Christian tradition I find myself in an odd place. I begin with the conviction that it is not possible to construct a meaningful leadership model directly from the teachings that are attributed to Jesus. I say "attributed to" quite deliberately, because modern scholarship has convinced me that we really don't know what Jesus said, and frankly I think...(read more)

Belgium's Bi-Annual 'Brimming with Begonias' Masterpiece, August 2008

Beth Patterson — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 06:54:00 GMT

Every 2 years (even numbered) in August, Brussels put on a display like none other. Thousands of begonias are put into a floral displays in the Grand Place of Brussels, Thursday, August 14, 2008. The display will last for three days in an event that is held every two years. This summer, the magnificent design of the flower carpet on the Market Square has drawn inspiration from 18th century French patterns. (Photo: AP Photo/Thierry Charlier ) See the rest of the CBS News photo essay here . I searched...(read more)

November 2008 Poem of the Month: Remember

krayna — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 00:03:00 GMT

Read this poem; now reflect: what guides your Spirit and connects you to all things in this life? What do you need to remember? Write, sing, dance, or paint your own poem. Go for the essence, the juicy depths, the bones and the laughter, too. Remember to remember. And please, don’t forget - pass it on! Blessings of love and equanimity, with a deep bow, krayna flickr photo: Night Sky floridapfe Remember Remember the sky that you were born under, know each of the star’s stories. Remember the moon,...(read more)

the fly-by

Beth Patterson — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 15:06:00 GMT

Mother Theresa talked about loving the dying, the poor and the broken of spirit as if they were the Christ in one of his many distressing disguises. what the heck was that ? what just flew in front of my car? was it...you know, a witch? was it...an owl? was it some huge bat ready to suck my blood if I would only roll down the window? or was it some day-bird in disguise trying to pretend, but lacking that special x-ray night vision? Missed whatever it was by heart-stopping smidgeon. Pulse back to...(read more)

Ways to connect with the ancestors

Beth Patterson — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 22:02:00 GMT

"Our destiny is found on the path we take to avoid it."-- none other than that ancestral mentor to many, Carl Jung Hallowed E'en, All Saints Day and All Souls Day, October 31 - November 2, are Christian holy days devoted to our relationship with ancestors. During this time of the year the veil between worlds is thin and we can seek to understand and evolve our relationship with those who have brought us to existence and have now have passed from our sight. For the purpose of the post, we are referring...(read more)

Central Oregon: Playshops and Poetry

krayna — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 18:31:00 GMT

PLAYSHOPS and POETRY FOR LIFE! Facilitator: Karen Castelbaum, MHS For over 30 years, Karen has worked in mental health, domestic violence, hospital, and integrative health care settings. Training in action methods since1996, she integrates action modalities with art, poetry, dreamwork, and contemplative arts. Karen has a counseling practice in Bend, where she lives with her (semi-famous) dog, Lucky, a fabulous spontaneity teacher and the source of many of her inspirations. Restoring Spontaneity and...(read more)

Engaging Mind And Heart

NPR: This I Believe Podcast — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 21:33:09 GMT

As a young, ego-driven lawyer, Randy Komisar ran a number of technology companies. He was successful — but increasingly unhappy. Then Komisar studied Eastern philosophy and discovered how to use his heart and mind to help other entrepreneurs succeed Read More......(read more)

a puzzlement*

Beth Patterson — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 20:14:00 GMT

dried dull yellow big leaf maple bouncing and skittering backside up on legs I can't understand following me dancing the unpredictable wind into my heart as gift gorgeous scarlet vine leaf maple doesn't dance as well and the exquisite tiny yellow weeping birch leaf doesn't dance at all they bring different gifts I can't figure out if life is a gift to be slowly unwrapped, almost like a strip tease Or a puzzle to be put together backside up so you can't see the picture. * 'ees a puzzlement' --the...(read more)

Psychopomps everywhere this week

Beth Patterson — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 19:07:00 GMT

First, the definition of psychopomp, from wikipedia: Many religious belief systems have a particular spirit, angel or deity whose responsibility is to escort newly-deceased souls to the afterlife. These creatures are called psychopomps, from the Greek word ψυχοπομπός ( psychopompos ), literally meaning the "guide of souls". Their role is not to judge the deceased, but simply provide safe passage. Frequently depicted on funerary art, psychopomps have been associated at different times and in different...(read more)

On being a water-witch for 'All Hallows Ev'n'...and beyond

Beth Patterson — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 06:09:00 GMT

As we come up on 'All Hallows Ev'n', maybe I'll dress as a water-witch and see if people can guess what I am. I'm thinking: willow twigs and crystal pendulums, over a flesh-colored body suit, of course. Or maybe this is a better post for "Dia De Los Muertos" or at least All Souls Day. It's definitely about spiritual ancestry. In any case, I've come by at least part of my weirdness by ancestral default. My great-grandpa, Merritt 'Met' Rosenkrans was a water-witch, a dowser . I never met him as he...(read more)

The Spirituality of Politics and the Politics of Spirituality

Bill Ellis — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 23:25:00 GMT

Beth's recent blog inspired me to offer a few thoughts of my own on the connection between spirituality and politics. Here they are. These days most of us can see the difference between religion and spirituality. Some of us, like me, believe the two can be distinguished but not completely separated, while others think they are both distinct and separate from one another. That question is for another time. For now it is enough to note that they are not the same thing . I begin in this rather tedious...(read more)