Anakh Sul Rama
On Tuesday, February 14, 2012, 14 Black Poppies in collaboration with Anakh Sul Rama produced "Be My Valentine: Messages of Light + Homeless Outreach". Anakh Sul was the driving force behind the project providing the vision and funds. I, Jason, just supported him with logistics and planning in order to ensure a successful arts and service project.
And it was a success! We made and distributed 33 gift boxes. Each box contained a personalize mirror, food items (such as cookies, mandarin oranges, almonds, etc.) donated thanks to the support of Sophie Schatan at Faletti Foods, tissues, and a free food/meal resource sheet.
Below is a slideshow from the event as well as a reflection by Anakh Sul.
And it was a success! We made and distributed 33 gift boxes. Each box contained a personalize mirror, food items (such as cookies, mandarin oranges, almonds, etc.) donated thanks to the support of Sophie Schatan at Faletti Foods, tissues, and a free food/meal resource sheet.
Below is a slideshow from the event as well as a reflection by Anakh Sul.
by Anakh Sul Rama
When I was homeless, I was blessed to be sitting in the park one day when this guy came around handing out dollar cheeseburgers to the people in the park. He said that he was once homeless and someone had come and fed him and it helped, so he was doing better now and wanted to help out others.
I started thinking about Karma, and paying it forward. I feel like this message was lost on a lot of people so i made some signs that said "invest in your Karmic Stock". Flipped over it read, "Do good deeds" or "Diversify your karmic portfolio", etc.
I was determined that once i got resettled I would remember and help out. When you're homeless, a lot of times you're lonely. Even though your with yourself, your self-worth denigrates due to your situation. I thought it would be great to try to remind people that even though they are down and out, they are still loved, if even by a small part within themselves.
When we set out to create little food bags for disadvantaged folk, we came upon these little compact mirrors at SCRAP. So the idea was born to help folk remind themselves that they are loved. By hand-making items there shows more thought. By having an interaction with people, those whom are more fortunate can learn. I know that we all see the same disadvantage folk on the street everyday. For some reason, that person who crosses our path makes an impact on us, even if its to remind ourselves that we are more fortunate.
Giving away the gift boxes we created became a way for us to interact with that person, to maybe find out their name. It was exciting to hand out our little gifts. It surprised people and truly made their day.
I feel that it helps both the giver and the receiver. I hope we do this again soon!
When I was homeless, I was blessed to be sitting in the park one day when this guy came around handing out dollar cheeseburgers to the people in the park. He said that he was once homeless and someone had come and fed him and it helped, so he was doing better now and wanted to help out others.
I started thinking about Karma, and paying it forward. I feel like this message was lost on a lot of people so i made some signs that said "invest in your Karmic Stock". Flipped over it read, "Do good deeds" or "Diversify your karmic portfolio", etc.
I was determined that once i got resettled I would remember and help out. When you're homeless, a lot of times you're lonely. Even though your with yourself, your self-worth denigrates due to your situation. I thought it would be great to try to remind people that even though they are down and out, they are still loved, if even by a small part within themselves.
When we set out to create little food bags for disadvantaged folk, we came upon these little compact mirrors at SCRAP. So the idea was born to help folk remind themselves that they are loved. By hand-making items there shows more thought. By having an interaction with people, those whom are more fortunate can learn. I know that we all see the same disadvantage folk on the street everyday. For some reason, that person who crosses our path makes an impact on us, even if its to remind ourselves that we are more fortunate.
Giving away the gift boxes we created became a way for us to interact with that person, to maybe find out their name. It was exciting to hand out our little gifts. It surprised people and truly made their day.
I feel that it helps both the giver and the receiver. I hope we do this again soon!
AND...PLEASE JOIN US for our next 14 Black Poppies Workshop, Healing Bridges, where we experience the power of shamanic journeys, theatrical sculptures, and reflection to promote harmonious health. It is on SAT, MARCH 17 from 10am to 12:30pm in San Francisco. More information, including registration, here.
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