Hello Wonderful People!

Jessica here.

Wow. What week it has been. There was been a lot of political energy on Gaia during the heated campaign for US president. We've had members on all sides of the debate, but I think we might all agree that we are part of a historic moment. I am moved by the messages of unity from Senator McCain and even George W. Bush. I am awed by the record participation and impact of this election on the world. Tuesday was an inspiring day. Obama's acceptance speech focused on reaching out to all United States citizens and the world. He talked about the need for our involvement and partnership in facing the obstacles at hand.

And, whatever you might think of him, I was touched by current President Bush when he said:

No matter how they cast their ballots, all Americans can be proud of the history that was made yesterday. Across the country, citizens voted in large numbers. They showed a watching world the vitality of America's democracy, and the strides we have made toward a more perfect union. They chose a President whose journey represents a triumph of the American story -- a testament to hard work, optimism, and faith in the enduring promise of our nation...(more)

But, it's not just Americans who are proud. Today I asked Jodi, one of our South African Team members, about the reaction to the election there, she said, this means so much to every African child. Every child can look up to Obama...and believe they can achieve anything. Wow.

Now let's here what you had to say on Gaia about this election and leadership:

¤   First up, we'll be unveiling a beautiful new (and slightly more interactive) home page at some point around Thanksgiving. It'll be a more welcoming introduction to our community and should make it easier for newcomers to start exploring. The general tone is very much as it is today, but the whole thing will look much more inviting and interactive. Jackson's been working miracles, as usual, and I'm excited to show off the results soon. :)

¤  We're also about to (finally!) release a fix for a problem that's almost a tradition on the site. If you're like me, there've been times when you've carefully typed out a response, pressed the 'Add Comment' button, and had your words disappear in a puff of pixels... never to be seen again. Our new comment solution will put an end to this evil-wizardry, and if all goes well, we'll be using this same new editor in other areas of the site. Yay. 

¤  Coming up shortly, too, is a 'save draft' feature, so you can take your time with your longer responses without worrying about losing them. We'll start by implementing it with discussions, but, as with the new editor, it'll eventually move to blogs and the like as well. 

¤  What else? You've probably already noticed that over the past few weeks we've moved every item from the navigation bar up top into the sidebar to the left. Before December hits, we'll be removing that slim little lavender strip entirely—there'll be no need for the redundant top and we'll free up space for... well, it's a surprise. A really, really good one. :) You'll see. 

¤  And last but certainly not least, our next major release (in mid-to-late December) will reveal a beautiful update to the whole of the Groups / Discussions areas. In addition to better integrating our 'libraries' (which currently just means books and quotes but, before the end of the year, will include music and films as well), you'll find a much more spacious, nicely laid-out, and sensible Groups area. We'll have screenshots before launch, so you'll get a glimpse before then, but for now, just know we're so, so happy to be finally giving those areas the attention they deserve--not to mention providing each of you with a more wonderful 'conversational' experience.

There'll be other neat additions with the big release, too (the ability to easily share your mood and add your own Gaia smilies) but those are the major points. Exciting, no? I've been saying that I think this is going to be the best winter ever (it helped that November 4th was a beautiful start ;), and now you know why. 

Jesus: A Story of Enlightenment

by Deepak Chopra

This book was a treat. 

I've been a long-time fan of Chopra's nonfiction works (one of the things I've admired is how luminously timeless they are; Creating Health and Quantum Healing were both published in the 80s and still read as though they could have come out last week), but had no idea what to expect from his fiction. This first taste was a wonderful surprise. 

I think if I could compare this book with anything, it would be one of Paulo Coehlo's novels. (And yes, that is high praise!) Chopra's Jesus is a complex and rich and complicated character, and the whole book deals, unsurprisingly, with the same sort of nuanced spiritual themes that Coehlo treats in his fiction. It's both an easy read, in that the language flows and the story is well-plotted, and a difficult one, in that it wrestles with concerns about spirituality, love, obligation, and the human condition. My favorite thing about it was the way in which it provided a new perspective, and a different view, of Christianity. (Which, I imagine, would also make the book interesting to Christians and non-Christians alike.)

And what can I say? I realized, halfway through, that it's a rare treat to discover a novel by someone who has spent so much of his life devoted to studying and experiencing the unfoldment of human consciousness--reading it is a little like falling into conversation with a kindred spirit whom, even though you just met, you find yourself relating to intimately. I'm happy now that I haven't yet picked up the precursor to this book (Buddha: A Story of Enlightenment); now I can dive straight back into Chopra's well-informed and rich imagination without needing to wait for his next book. :)



The Mystery of 2012: Predictions, Prophecies, and Possibilities

Sounds True

Another confession: I'm a 2012 skeptic. Were it not for the fact that I think the Apocalypse is always already happening--albeit very slowly and at same time as an unfolding Renaissance--the memory of Y2k is still quite fresh. And so when I started this book, my right eyebrow tried to climb off my forehead in protest. 

Not only did it not succeed, I'm now much, much more open to considering the significance of this upcoming date. So perhaps I should say I WAS a 2012 skeptic. This book gave me a new point of view.

The Mystery of 2012 is a collection of essays from an assortment of writers (from theorists to futurists to scientists to ecologists) about the question of this predicated cosmic shift. It's broken into four parts: The first includes pieces on the Mayan Calendar and related prophecies; the second essays on business and science and politics in the context of 2012; the third on the symbolism and spirituality related to the topic; and the forth on 'a new humanity' and evolution beyond this shift. I'm someone who likes a rounded view of any topic, and so this multiplicity of perspectives was a delight. 

Not all the contributions are of the same caliber, but I read them all with the same fascinated curiosity. By the time I got to the end, had a renewed appreciation of the value of thinking about where our society and culture is headed over the next few years, and why applying our consciousness and awareness and heart to this question is important.  And I certainly feel as though I've got a much, much better understanding of why so many are so excited. :)


Sixty Seconds:  One moment changes everything  

Collected by Phil Bolsta

Sixty Seconds is another lovely compilation, but much more sweet and personal and less academic than the book above. It's a collection of first-person stories about the experience of spiritual awakening--some world-rupturing and traumatic, others gentle and personal and slow. 

I loved slowly sipping from each interview--no matter what the experience itself was like, each author or interviewee is unfailingly honest and open and raw in speaking about it, which alone makes them unforgettable--and I loved how each little chapter was a reminder that illumination can come from the most surprising places. 

Hello Lovelies!

This is Jessica, at your service :)

Oh... I feel very privileged this week because I get to introduce the Friday Five.

What is the Friday Five? Well, it's a community-wide blogging party featuring five themed questions each week. It is so much fun and gets everyone on Gaia introspecting and sharing. There is so much to learn from these little questions and your answers can be as long or short as you like. This week is all about gratitude in celebration of Thanksgiving in the United States and appreciation everywhere. Just follow these easy steps:

• Step 1) Write your blog on Friday answering the loverly questions below. You can copy and paste them into your blog and just type in answers.
  

• Step 2) Make sure you've added "Friday Five" as a tag for the blog and in the title.

• Step 3) If you wish, "Tag" up to five Gaia members and send a little note letting them know they're "it" and thus called upon to blog the Friday Five too. These members can be in your friends list or new people you'd just like to connect with. Then they answer the Friday Five and can tag more Gaians :)
  

So, come on and play! Won't you? Open up that blog and tell us...

I am starting early, so you can see what it looks like. Check out my blog :)

Now that we're all ready and excited for the Friday Five, I'd like to share a few tidbits of community news to warm the heart.

First, Centria, one of our amazing Ambassadors has been traveling the big Gaia to meet Gaians :) She has been trekking through Europe and connecting with many members on the way. Her story is beautiful. I always say that magic happens when Gaians come together and her experience is no exception. Check out the details of her magical journey, which involved dancing, crying and deep, joyous connections.

Also, I recently came across Gaby's profile, a shiny new member with an inspiring spirit. Get this, she has a beautiful eco-friendly project creating jewelry out of recycled tires called I'mTired. It's so clever. And, she gives half the proceeds to a charity chosen by the buyer, everything from helping children with autism to the prevention of animal cruelty. I love hearing about Gaians who take their creativity into the world to help others. I know so many of you do this in such unique ways. Gaby reminds me of our shared passion for goodness and how grateful I am to be here.

Thank you all for being beautiful. I can hardly wait to read your Friday Fives of gratitude and love! Feel free to add a comment below when you've had a chance to post yours :)

Happy Thanksgiving!

So, last week dipped our toes in and tried the Friday Five :) Thank you to everyone who participated. I loved reading all of your beautiful gratitude-filled responses. You can find many of them here.

We're still celebrating Thanksgiving this week and the theme is about people we love, admire and are grateful for :)

Here's a little reminder from last week:

• Step 1) Write your blog on Friday (or any day!) answering the loverly questions below. You can copy and paste them into your blog and just type in answers.
  

• Step 2) Make sure you've added "Friday Five" as a tag for the blog and in the title.

• Step 3) If you wish, "Tag" up to five Gaia members and send a little note letting them know they're "it" and thus called upon to blog the Friday Five too. These members can be in your friends list or new people you'd just like to connect with. Then they answer the Friday Five and can tag more Gaians :)
  

Share with us...

1) Who is the last person to whom you said "I love you"?
2) Who did you look up to as a child?
3) Which public or historical figure (s) do you admire?
4) What qualities in others inspire you?
5) What makes you feel loved & appreciated?

So let us know. And, thank you all for being loving, amazing, and inspiring.