Signs of Red Room 3.0

Where do we go to read the stories of how Red Room spirit and creativity is turned inward to build the next stage of Red Room itself, a step at a time? Where do we hear the stories that remind us how alive the spirit of Red Room, all around the world, continues to be? Where do we hear those “little” stories that remind us in big ways of who we really are, together?

Here’s some background: In January there was an open invitation for folks to come together and create Red Room 3.0. I was asked to step in as a neutral holder of this creative process. Needless to say, the world is different. Life has happened. Naturally, I’ve happily found myself in a weekly role hosting Sunday morning group calls where stories are shared. These stories are spirit-filled and cover the range … there are needs and offers and inspired opportunities and more. It feels like the unspoken theme is “How do we, as Red Room, take our place in the world given the truth of this moment?” So, I hear (and even more, truly feel) stories of the simple everyday ways an unclear urge or a pain or shock is simply cared for by voicing the need openly and clearly into the group, and preparing to be surprised. Over and over, there are stories of a huge impact from a “small” surprise. In my wording, these are moments of spirit being invited and merrily showing itself, in it’s own way and timing.

Here is one story that I can share
After Red Room’s long-term dedicated space closed, a lot of things had to be boxed up, inventoried and stored. A friend of Red Room offered a whole floor owned by their company. Thank you! That was December. Then, this week Roma received a call. The company would be closed by the end of April (surprise!). Where would all these things go? 5pm an email went out announcing the collective unmet need, saying “Let’s put our heads together and figure this out!” the surprise Roma shared is how FAST concrete solutions were named … by 7pm there were 3 offers of available space. Next, those folks “in the conversation” will work out necessary details. Everything is in place for things to be moved, inventories to be updated A need, addressed quickly, together!

So, who wants to hear or tell more of these stories? How many other stories are out there wanting to be told? I don’t know if there’s a need, and what shape it might be in. What I can do is, when I know the need, I can think through a format I may be able to help to bring into life. Is it column? or a podcast? or a regular or irregular ZOOM call. This I don’t know. What I know is that i love these stories. They tell us who we are and where spirit is alive and well. And I think that matters. Anything here prompt a response? Here I am, welcoming the conversation (JaneELewis@gmail.com).

I am donating one day a week to run multiple sessions at staggered times to ensure that people from all time zones can benefit from a good mind hack.

We are facing the largest forced mindset shift in human history. Our success does not depend upon changing behavior. Our success depends upon changing the thinking that drives behavior.

If there has ever been a time we should ALL be thinking out of the box, this is it.
I’ve been so inspired by people like Jeff Kaas who is hacking his factory to make PPE for desperate care givers, and companies like Decathlon International hacking snorkeling equipment into ventilators, that I wanted to find a way to hack my business to make a contribution too.

I’ve spent the last two weeks hacking my favorite program, “Think In and Out of the B❒X,” into a mind hacking, life enhancing, sixty-minute virtual learning experience called, “Hack your Box for COVID-19.”

Jim Clark
hack-your-box

Everything You Have Ever Wanted To Know About Masks

Masks 101

Red Room Board member, Sujoy Guha, is an expert in testing surgical mask materials. Here he breaks down the filtering mechanisms of a surgical mask, and gives some suggestions about what you can use to make your DIY masks more effective against coronavirus.

Everything You Have Ever Wanted To Know About Masks

MOWES is hosting a mask making workshop
DIY 含濾心的布口罩 Cloth Face Mask With Air Filter
Sunday, April 19, 2020 at 3 PM – 4 PM

“In the end we will conserve only what we love, we will love only what we understand, and we will understand only what we are taught” -Baba Dioum (Senegalese conservationist)

This is a quote that I hold close to my heart. And in my heart my love of Mother Nature runs deep because of my adventures and experiences. I have sailed on the Atlantic Ocean, camped out in the Amazon under the stars, trekked the mountains of Nepal. I have grown to understand how much Nature gives and I live my life wanting to give what I can in return. So I have no “Green Tips” to offer, but what I do advise, Choose to Stop, Breathe and Smell the flowers that is the first step. Give yourself time to “Be” in nature and surround yourself in her embrace; you will find and feel nothing but her beauty and grace. When you take a second step, you will see more than just trees and flowers. And when you close your eyes and move towards step three, “Listening” you will begin to hear her lessons and songs.

La Benida Hui

Founder, R.A.R.E – Rare Animals Really Endangered

Escape with baking therapy

It seems the internet has exploded with photos and recipes of homebound friends and family churning out home baked creations. While we may not be quite as restricted in Taiwan, I’ve also been enjoying the escape from all the difficult news from abroad with some baking therapy.

My baked good of choice is muffins which are as simple to make as mixing wet and dry ingredients and baking. Although I love making more elaborate recipes, the process of baking is more important than the result so I go for a tried and tested recipe that I know will work out. I find the act of measuring out the ingredients, combining the ingredients and portioning out the batter before baking relaxing, even meditative. Baking also enlightens my senses as the muffins rise in the oven and the home baked aroma fills the kitchen. Finally, when the muffins have cooled (or perhaps before), I gain the personal satisfaction of the tasty result which I can share with my nearest, or indulge myself with a cup of tea.

So when you’re next in need of some time just for you, pull out your favourite recipe – or one passed on to you by baking friends – preheat the oven and indulge yourself in some baking therapy.

Karen Farley