International Institute For Human Empowerment, Inc.

118th International Peace Meditation

"Taking Stock"

October 1, 2006-As we approach the ending of another year, it is important to reflect not only upon the year, but also upon our lives. To help us reflect upon how we have been using our resources-time, energy, relationships-here are a few questions. Perhaps it would be useful for each of us--readers, leaders, parents, and children--to spend some time in private with the following as our guide. It can be helpful to spend a few quiet moments before beginning the following:

"Taking Stock: an Individual Retreat and Reflection"

Life

Why am I here?

Am I doing what I am uniquely designed to do?

When I leave, what do I want people to remember about me?

Giving

To what did I give my life?

How did I give: My time? My finances? My passion?

Where did I place "family" in my list of priorities? Would they agree?

Do my relationships support my spiritual purpose?

Have I nourished those who support?

Have I disconnected from those who cannot?

If I were to leave the planet today, what will I have left unfinished?

Who would I want to carry on?

Have I helped him/her/them to prepare?

What do I have left to do?

What will people remember about me?

Taking charge

To become empowered means being in charge of one's life: decisions, spiritual direction, giving, resources, time.

What will you do in 2007?
    Spiritually?
    Lifestyle choices?
    Relationship?
    Family?
    Resources?

What will be the determining factor behind those choices?
    Fun?
    Ambition?
    Family?
    Spiritual Purpose?

Once your family has reached the time when they are capable of making responsible choices, your focus should shift to completing your spiritual purpose. We each have a finite period of time. How are you using yours?

For all who've helped you
For all lessons learned
For the times you had to be patient
For the times you had to step forward alone
For the times you've been misunderstood
For the strength you gained during those times
For what you are able to leave behind
For those prepared to continue your Purpose
For pain that taught you to care
For lack of resources that taught you empathy
For the "angels" who helped along the way
For the friend who never deserted
And for lessons learned from the ones who did
For pets that taught you unconditional love
For family issues that made you grow
For times alone
And times filled with the joy that children bring
For those who hurt you and made you learn the kind of person that you didn't want to be
For teachers who cared
And those who abused their enormous power
For the problems, people, pain, and purpose that made you who you are today
And for the lessons of oppression that taught the value of freedom

You are empowered when you can give thanks for lessons learned. You are empowered when you can teach the lessons learned. You are empowered when you care enough for both!

Take stock. Take time to consider:

Where you are.

Where you want to be.

Who can help you.

Relationships are the real enablers and inhibitors in life. Choose carefully. Choose wisely. And make every decision count!

This Meditation is dedicated to all on a conscious spiritual path. Keep returning. Our goal is to grow with you, assist you, learn from you, and, when our individual times on earth are complete, express gratitude with you for all-good, and painful-lessons learned.

We all get the same lessons. We just get them in different ways.

PEACE.

Sue Kidd Shipe, Ph.D.
Executive Director

You can increase your participation in the International Institute For Human Empowerment, Inc. (IIHE) in a number of ways. The Institute does not collect any dues. Anyone who is interested and who feels drawn to the message of empowerment is a member by philosophy alone. Please consider how you can contribute to this work in a way that is meaningful to you, and to all of us. These are some of the ways you can help:

1. Meditate, including all members of the Institute and beyond in your thoughts.
2. Share the messages and website address with your family, friends, and colleagues.
3. Do a fund-raiser for the Institute!
4. Make a donation today (see below-we are tax-exempt in the USA)
5. Participate in International Unity Day on September 11. (click on the globe on the home page to learn more.)
6. Make us aware of grant opportunities for our first Select Empowerment Seminar on "Fibromyalgia and Other Invisible Illnesses: Making the Invisible Visible".
7. Provide financial support for the development of a curriculum for "Valuing Diversity".
8. Encourage others to sign up for our e-mail newsletter via the pop-up on the home page.
9. Become a corporate sponsor.

And be grateful for the progress we are making as our website continues to be visited by more and more countries! The message is spreading. A Human Empowerment movement is advancing. You are a part of an important mission to bring Empowerment to all. Thank you.

You may contribute online via PayPal:

Please make checks or money orders out to:
International Institute For Human Empowerment, Inc.

The International Institute For Human Empowerment, Inc. is a
501 ( C )( 3 ) tax-exempt organization recognized by the United States Government. Your contribution within the USA is tax-exempt.

   Sue Kidd Shipe, Executive Director
   International Institute For Human Empowerment, Inc.
   P. O. Box 3920
   Albany, New York  12203   USA
   (518) 393-9491
   sueshipe@humanempowerment.org
   www.humanempowerment.org

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Sue Kidd Shipe, Founder and President
P.O. Box 3920
Albany, NY 12203
(518) 393-9491 Phone
sueshipe@humanempowerment.org