Stories of Hope: We are the Hope for Our Children
The event was held on November 7th, 2008
Stories of Hope is a multidimensional event that utilizes story, music, poetry and art to inspire, uplift and motivate people toward their own highest good and potential.
This year our focus moves us to consider how our children are looking to us to be the examples and models for the world that we are creating. We must each take responsibility for our thoughts and actions. We must choose now if what we say and do will build up, support and heal the problems of our planet, or tear down and destroy ourselves, others and ultimately the earth.
It is time for all of us in our own way to find the truth within us that leads us to choices that are loving, forgiving, compassionate and understanding of ourselves, our children, our neighbors and those we have judged harshly. We are at a critical time in human life in which the choices we make will have profound and long lasting effects on our children. In each moment we are called to lift ourselves out of old patterns that isolate, diminish, or negate life and open ourselves to acceptance and love.
Stories of Hope: We Are the Hope for Our Children will convey the
message that each of us are imbued with a powerful spirit that when ignited, helps us see things in new ways, solve unsolvable problems, and reach heights that have seemed unattainable. Stories of Hope is designed to connect us to the deeper truths of who we are. We need a spirit of hope and a spark of divine grace to transform the challenges of life into blessing and gift.
The stories, music and art presented will inspire you and help you participate in creating a greater vision for your own life and for our world. The light of God lives within us all. When we purposefully come together to share that light, it’s brightness grows. This is a time in the life of our planet that we need to nurture, grow and expand God’s light. We invite and encourage you to be part of this special and important evening. A free will offering will be taken. Save the date and tell your friends.
Stories of Hope held on November 9th,2007
The Institute for Peace and Joy sponsored Stories of Hope in partnership with Burnsville Counseling and Healing Center, Park Nicollet Foundation and Prince of Peace Church. The intention of this event was to create an evening of hope, inspiration and vision. We know that as we listen to and connect with the stories of others; we begin to imagine a new or larger story for our own lives. We are living in a time when we are being challenged to dream a world that will sustain us all and allow us to flourish in ways that we have not yet imagined.
Stories of Hope was an innovative approach created for the purpose of sharing who we are and what we can do when hope and vision rises up within us. We offered this event as a free gift to the community. It was very well received by the many people in attendance and people lingered after the event to talk with the presenters and view the art work. Comments we received evidenced a need for this kind of program and reflected the inspiration and hopefulness people experienced at the event. Below are pictures from the event and testimonials from those who attended.
Testimonials
The evening was filled with powerful stories from real people who have found their way through awful or amazing experiences back to hope and happiness. No one, I venture to say, left that gathering untouched in some way. The real gift came almost two weeks later when talking to a friend, reading the paper, or meeting with a client I realized, "Oh, there's another story of hope!" My "Hope Awareness Meter" has been activated, and I find myself being a little more grateful, more appreciative, and more hopeful, than I was.
The event was great! It was amazing to hear real stories from real people. The spirit in the room grew with each story and I left with a renewed sense of self.
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Questions or inquires can be made by calling Paula Becker or Sandy Thibault at 952-898-6200 or email at inspj@inpeaceandjoy.org
