DO RE MI FA SO LA SI DO

DO RE MI FA SO LA SI DO!
I am sure we are all familiar with that phrase, or musical iconic phrase.
Today at the orphanage, we delivered the toys we had brought.
Along with that came a piano!
It was portable of course.
Since I play, I decided to show off my skills.
So, I played jingle bells.
One of the kids at the orphanage was amazed and asked me to show him how to play it!
He spoke mostly swahili and I didn't know how to explain it to him.
Jovini suggested we use the "do re mi fa so la si do" technique and so we did
I was really happy because i wear a blessing ring around my neck that says music and in the back it says, "universal language"
I just wnted to share how cool it is to experience the truth written in the ring.
Even though we dont speak the same language, we can communicate!
Love

LINDA HERRERA

Church Sunday

None of the clothes I wore today were clean, but hey--That's Africa Baby! (The hotel we're staying at does have a good laundry service though, I just have not used it.) We woke up this morning back at our humble abode Uhuru, ate breakfast, and then circled up on a grassy knoll in the front of the hotel as we do everyday. During our centering we discussed the respect we would pay to faiths other than our own while attending church. Ben lead the centering and captured the sentiment.

The vans came and we drove to Matumaini. There we were reunited with the children after our weekend safari excursion. From the orphanage we walked with the children through cornfields to the neighborhood church. Their church is a beautiful building with stained glass windows, a floor, and new pews. However, according to Barry, just two years ago only the cement structure was there, and the community has since turned their church into one of the nicest buildings in that part of Moshi. One that does justice to the spirited service that we experienced.

The adults go to an earlier service, and there is a separate service just for children. The whole neighborhood was there! We saw all of the children from school, and I was delighted when I saw Zanans sitting right in front of me. The service began when a drum starting beating, and soon all the watoto (children) were singing in a beautiful harmony. There voices were angelic.

I cannot speak for everyone but my experience in the church was very interesting. I have never attended a Catholic service before and what was present for me was a mixture of the presence of a powerful faith that sustains the people of Moshi and a history lesson with a much darker feeling. The colonization and Christrianization of Africa was a dark time in history and that was going through my mind during the service. What was also present for me was love and light and the laughter of the children who clearly enjoyed the service. So it was this contrasting feeling that was present for me during church today. What an amazing experience to attend a church in a foreign country!

From church we walked back to Matumaini (like three minutes away) and hung out with the children during the time there was a meeting between Insight Leadership and Knock about the future of our relationship (which went great). Later we walked to school and picked up with our service project.

The school is really looking great! The classroom is almost finished, we just need to clean the floors really. We order 21 desks today and they are going to be built creating a most functional, very beautiful classroom in the school! The mural is taking shape and is almost finished, it looks really great. Lisi painted the spiral sun today. We are just choosing some quotes about dreams that we want to paint on the mural in English and Swahili, and we are going to finish it tomorrow. We have painted the entire school with new coats of paint and it has done wonders to brighten up the school.

Then we came back to Uruhu and washed up for dinner which was at the IndoItaliano restaurant again. Like last time our food did not come quickly (it took two hours) but we amused ourselves with games and riddles and talk about our experiences on safari. (Safari powerfully affected me.)

Tomorrow we're finishing up our projects at school and then will be having our departing feast with the whole school community! I'm really stoked!

Well that's all for tonight folks.

Amani na upendo! (Peace and love)

-Lio (Elliot)

the MOMENT!

We arrived a few hours ago from our 2 day 1 night safari!
I thought it was a real treat to make up for the hard working days we painted and facilitated at the school!
I was looking forward to see a male LION but all I saw was a LIONESSE!
Which is still really awesome!
I had an interesting experience as we drove to the safari park.
I was looking out the window, waving and smiling at every passerby.
All of a sudden, I felt a tsunami of emotion and tears roll down my cheeks.
I thought to myself.
I'm not sad. There is nothing wrong!
Nothing was wrong.
I just felt the love and light surround my body.
When I experienced that connection, I felt that nothing could harm me.
I felt secure and protected.
I was in the unknown but the unknown felt safe and sweet!
So, I cried and thanked God that I became one with "THE MOMENT".
The second day of the safari, the whole group had a meeting and we experienced a moment of silent peace!
We heard the birds, the wind, and our breathing!
That was a true moment of peace!
For me at least!
I cannot believe we have 3 more days here.
Time has flew but I feel it has been amazing.
I am at true peace.
So happy to share this loving light with the people I love!
Thank you all!
We all love u and I love you too!
This is it for now!

LOVE
LINDA HERRERA

Zenans

There is a boy at Shule ya Msingi Mahrupanga (the school we’re working in) whose favorite animal is tembo (elephant). This boy’s name is Zenans, and he is 10 years old. Zenans has had a much more difficult life than his peers in Tanzania, for his little body is twisted up like a pretzel. His legs are contorted, and his right knee is almost at a 90 degree angle; and when I hug him, I can feel his spine’s S-shaped curvature. However, when I look at Zenans I do not feel pity, because he does not ask for it. He uses two small sticks as crutches and it is truly incredible how quickly and easily he gets around! The whole group had noticed him at school.

Yesterday was our second workshop with the middle age group, and it was a beautiful, smooth, fun, and light-filled day! What made the day so special to me was that Zenans was in my resource group. He fully participated in every activity we had planned for the day, and he did so with grace.

Part of the workshop is to do heart sharing about our dreams and aspirations for our selves and the world. When it was Zenans’s turn he held the moyo (heart) in his hands and for a moment there was a profound peace that settled over my group.
I could see the Light in his eyes as he thought carefully about the wish he had for himself; he said that he wished he would go to secondary school, and that there would be peace in the world.

Looking into Zanans’s eyes is something I will never forget. Two days ago I bought a necklace in town with an elephant pendent on it. I was going to keep it for myself, but I knew that Zenans would love it more, and I would love giving it to him more than wearing it. I brought the necklace to school, and during break from the older children’s workshop I gave it to Zenans. Again, I saw his eyes light up as he smiled.

John Morton says that he is friends with a doctor who does surgeries on crippled children around the world. We took pictures of Zenans and I am holding the Light for him to receive the surgery that could change his life forever!

-Lio (Elliot)

many thoughts

The moment we thought of coming to Tanzania, we began to perform the work of the heart.
But today, we came to a completion with giving our seminars!
I am so thrilled!
The kids are amazingly loving.
They wrote me letters, notes, told me they loved me and all that!
I love them with my eyes!
I am having the time of my life here in Tanzania!
Everyone is loving us here.
They call us MZUNGUS (FOREIGNERS)!
HA!
Being here with the people I love, is just amazing.
There are no words to describe how I feel.
I dont use many words, since Africa is a whole diff. language.
My heart is open and expanding.
I never thought love would develep this fast. but each moment, love is occuring.
There are not as much American accomodations here but we love it all.
WE ride buses filled with 20 people, we have dirt on our feet, we are living african style.
It is kicking ass!
Tomorrow, we are off to our 2 day safari and I cannot wait.
I look forward to connecting with nature and animals.
I am also allowing antything to unfold and everything that I find uplifting, i will def. take to the U.S!
I LOVE U ALL!

LINDA HERRERA

My Heart in Africa

Every second my heart skips a beat knowing that I am in wonderful Tanzania, Africa, sharing the best of myself. Being in a totally different culture and experiencing peace and love as I wave to a stranger; I become aware that love is happening every second.

I experience deep joy as I saunter right next to a complete stranger; stare into there eyes, speak a foreign word and watch as instant chemistry is created. Everyone here in Tanzania is thrilled about everything they do. They do such organic and natural tasks that I can allow myself to relax and enjoy the moment.

I have learned in just 4 days to lovingly accommodate the rhythm of their lives. The devotion to breathing, laughing, working and playing is contagious and I want to keep Africa's contagious symptoms as long as my heart beats; and beyond.

- Linda Herrera

paint paint paint

Hey guys!!
It's Lisi. I've been having a blast these past few days with my insight "family" as I've had the opportunity to meet and connect with TONS of bright, loving, sweet kids over here. I know that I don't speak for myself when I say that we have been incredibly busy since our arrival last Thursday.
I was rather calm last thursday for having arrived to a foreign country to meet hundreds of people, and I didn't know what to expect at my first visit to the school. From the very first time that I stepped off of the bus Friday morning I have felt very welcomed and emersed in so much love from everyone. It was truly an amazing feeling.
Yesterday, we had the childrens seminar (I was one of the facillitators) and today was the middle school childrens seminar. I have been very excited about the mural that we've been working on. There is a tree that we are having all of the children put their handprints on as the leaves. It's looking great so far :) Everything seems to just be falling together with such grace and ease that it amazes me. I can't believe that we have created this!! All of this was our dream, and day by day we make more of it come true. This is by far the most accomplishing feeling I have ever had. I'm proud of myself, and my friends for the amazing work that we've been able to create.
I love my life. :)
I'll post something more in depth later
- Lisi

Conversation with a Teacher

The teacher asked us first to extend the days we are here in Tanzania. 

She said "The school is beautiful now." 

But she needed us to stay later because it was not enough. We looked at her nonplused. I didn't know what to say. After a moment I stuttered out that we may be able to come back after returning to America. 

She asked directly, "When? One Year? Two Years? We need more." 

She thanked us profusely, we thanked her. "Asante! Asante!"

It sounded through the school's single open hallway. And, with as much certainty as we could muster, we spoke of returning. 

"Good," she said, "the love is on its way."

- Kai Earthsong

Letter from Kim Krowne

I thought I would weigh in on this conversation.  I'm just getting my

first break from the group to even be checking email, which is a sign

they are keeping extremely busy!  So much has been accomplished

already.  The workshop on Saturday with the teachers was remarkable.

The information was well-received and the teachers' enthusiasm was

palpable.  The teens have been working endlessly on painting,

plastering, scrubbing walls, picking up trash, and of course, playing.

 The head teacher looked at me yesterday with a big smile and said

"The entire school looks completely different after just a few hours!"

 A few of the teens have already shared that this has been a life

changing experience.  They recognize the happiness and joy in the

people here who have so much less than they do.  They have told me how

much more grateful they think they need to be in their own lives.

It's been a wonderful experience thus far for everyone involved.  As I

write this, the group is at the school conducting their first child

workshop with the youngest kids.  I am sure they will update you on

that when they get a chance.  Thank you all again, parents, for giving

your children this opportunity.  

Many blessings from Tanzania,

Kim

First Photos from the Trip

Beautification in Tanzania

We are on the climb of getting to the pretty part of beautification. The cement walls are beginning to gain color and life. It's almost like a skeleton growing skin. Our mural is also beginning to flourish! The first two days we were very dirty because we had to sand the walls, paint the ceiling, and put another coat of cement on the mural wall. Now we are adding the colors! It looks great. It is hard work, but together we're making it happen.

- Linda Herrera

Day One in Tanzania

It is such grace to love someone in such a short instant. Today was the first day, we had the honor to meet the children in the orphanage and some from the school. Their joy jumped out of their faces when they saw us wave hello, or in their language, "hujambo". I don't want to say we brought them happiness because their cups of joy were overflowing, we just added our drops of love to it.

Loving the kids is very easy! I personally admired the leniency of the kids... they play with anything that they find amusing. Walking into those dusty roads and lower class neighborhoods was a whole new experience. Everyone in the neighborhood greeted us with a vital hello, a kiss on the right and left cheeks, and a mini introduction of who they were. These people are lovingly open and even though our Swahili is rough we understood each other and shared the same loving. Loving needs no language, no label, no explanation, love just is...

I am committed to putting my soul and heart into the work we will do with the kids. I know my experience will be unforgettable.

- Linda Herrera

The time is almost here...

We have less than a month to go.

I do not know what to expect.

I know we have an intention and I know that it will be fulfilled but I also know that many different blessings can occur and unfold in our trip.

As the weeks, days, hours, minutes, and seconds get closer, my heart begins to race faster.

I am living what I would intend to live in Tanzania but I know the atmosphere there will bring new things.

Thank you to all of you who have supported us all the way.

I realized that our team is very close and we have gotten to know each other in a whole other level.

I am getting side tracked and loosing the focus of this blog so I shall begin a new one.

Love

LINDA HERRERA

Service is...

Service means giving with your whole heart.

Service means sharing your love.

Service is smiling at someone who's frowning.

Service is diving when somebody's drowning.

Service is traveling the globe to share what you love.

Service is talking at home about what you know.

Service is sweeping the floor when it gets dusty.

Service is crying until the nail is rusty.

Service is giving that someone a hug.

Service is smiling at someone above.

Service is talking to the one no one likes.

Service is accepting the ones who dislike.

Service is giving your seat to an elder.

 Service is sharing your love at a shelter.

Service can be anything given with the heart.

Someone is everything in this world and more.

Linda Herrera

did I say $2300 ? OPPPS....

Even emperor's commit mistakes and so did I .

I HAD SAID, IN MY PREVIOUS BLOG, THAT WE RAISED TWO-THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED DOLLARS, HOWEVER; IT WAS AN ERR. WE RAISED (LOOK DOWN) 

YES $23,000!

(THANKS KELLEY FOR THE CORRECTION)!!!

AND NOT $2300.

WE ARE WHOLEHEARTEDLY THANKFUL.

ESTAMOS MUY AGRADECIDOS CON TODOS!

HERE IS HOW THE STORY WENT.

JOHN MORTON, ASKED KELLEY HOW MUCH MONEY HAD TO BE RAISED SO THAT OUR, THE TEENS, PAYMENT COULD BE COVERED. SO SHE INFORMED HIM THE FACT AND HE SAID, "LET'S RAISE IT!"

AND VOILA!!!!

Honestly I am shocked and very thankful!

Stay tuned for our gift to the givers!

Linda Herrera!!!! 

A sneak peek to our meetings...

like 1/2 of the team!

THE OTHER HALF..

ELLIOT TAKING THE LEAD!!! GOOD JOB!

WOOOO 

OUR EYE SPARKLE FOR THE LOVE OF GIVING!

5

$2300 SAY WHAT!!!!! UPDATES PLEASE READ!!!!!!!!!!

OK EVERYONE.

SO! TEEN LEADERSHIP HAS RAISED SO MUCH AND WE ARE ALL WHOLEHEARTEDLY THANKFUL FOR YOUR GIVINGS.

IT ADDS TO YOUR GOOD KARMA!!!!

I AM JUST SO THRILLED.

LAST WEEKEND, AROUND $23oo WERE RAISED AT THE SUPER TWO.

THE GOLF EVENT HAS NOT BEEN INCLUDED THEREFORE WE ARE IN FOR A BIG SHOCK.

THE MORE WE RECIEVE, THE MORE WE CAN ASSIST THE REFURBISHMENT OF THE MATUMAINI ORPHANAGE AND MAKE THE KIDS SMILE EVEN MORE!!!!

IS THAT POSSIBLE?!!!!

I AM THRILLED AND I HAVE BUTTERFLIES IN MY BELLY JUST THINKING ABOUT MEETING THE KIDS.

WE ARE RECEIVING SO MUCH MORE.

PATTY RYNR HAS DONATED SOME MONEY FROM HER WONDERFUL HEARTFELT FOUNDATION FOR US TO GET SOME FUN THINGS FOR THE KIDS.

I WILL KEEP YOU ALL UPDATED ON OUR EVENTS!!!!

I AM ALSO POSTING UP SOME PICTURES.

HOPEFULLY TOMORROW.

PLEASE READ THESE.

THANKS!

AND EXCUSE MY GRAMMAR.

I AM FAR TOOO OVERJOYED TO CARE ABOUT GRAMMAR RIGHT NOW!!!!!!

LOVE AND LIGHT AND JOY AND LAUGHTER!!!!

LINDA HERRERA AND THE TEEN LEADERSHIP TEAM!!!!!

THIS LIGHT HEART THAT FEEDS OF LOVE

It is such a blessing to have the opportunity to share the sparks of my heart next to the people I love. 

A team that has been known to me for no longer than two summers.

When I feel down, I survive by holding on to the energy that my team tanzania bring and hold.

I do my best to hold that too.

I don't know what it is but the chemistry works just like magic.

It is such euphoria too look into their eyes and feel a flush of energy swim through my whole body.

A light that reminds me that love is perpetually present!

The radiating eyes of pureness and beauty.

The eyes I stare into because I know faith is here to stay.

I look back, look right now, look beyond and my heart sings to the blessing that have arrived.

If I could make a word to describe this love I would.

Maybe my knowledge is ignorant to such adjective or verb, but I do not care because the word is less important than the feeling.

Oh I am so happy inside.

I am confident accepting, trusting, loving myself, and sharing my joy with you.

TO BE CONTINUED.

LINDA HERRERA 

Skating life

After coming home this evening, I decided to go out and ride my skateboard.

I had not done it in a long time but I managed to dominate it really well.

I began riding it and realized I was enjoying myself so much.

Then came a point when the skateboard was going extremely fast.

I was going down hill!

I began to get scared and stopped.

I didn't want to fall.

It would hurt too much!

So, I skated in a flat area and put my mind to work.

I juxtaposed skateboarding with life and it seemed relevant.

Skateboard to me would be life.

We ride it everyday, every moment, every second, it just is.

We must try new things in life and in skateboarding.

You're skateboarding down the road and you see a bump.

Let's pretend the bump is a relationship.

I wonder what will happen if we ride the skateboard into that bump.

We'll never know unless we ride it.

We can ride the bump and fall, yeah it will hurt, we might need to wear a band-aid for a while but the scar will heal.

Later on you will look at the scar and remember and say "oh this is when I fell that one time" and you will most likely laugh about it.

This happened to me.

The best thing is that next time we are riding our skateboard and we see a bump, we can face it with more experience and be more free.

This happened to me as well!

I hope you enjoyed and comprehended how life is germane to skateboarding.

IN OTHER WORDS.

TEEN INSIGHT LEADERSHIP HAS RAISED

$55, 608 AMERICAN DOLLARS!!!!!!!!!!!!

WOOOO TANZANIA HERE WE COME!!!!!!!!

Linda Herrera 

SOME SILENT AUCTION PICTURES IF YOU HAVE NOT CHECKED THEM OUT YET!!!!!

The FLYER THAT CAUGHT THE ATTENTION!!!!!!

THE PEOPLE THAT HELPED CREATE THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THE MOVIE STARS AND AMAZING PEOPLE!!!!!!!

BEAUTIFUL LADIES!!!!!

THE GUY WHO "KNOCKS" US OUT WITH HIS INSPIRING WORDS..... AND JAIME!!! 

FAMILY!

A BUSY EVENING BUT DEF. WORTH IT!!!!!!!! GO LISI!!! 

KELSEY AND MAYAAN <3 

SOME OF THE KIDS!!!!

Matt, Maya, Ben, Mayaan. Eldrick, Lisi and Hanna

SO MUCH LOVE IN THE HOUSEEEEEEE !!!!!!!! 

HUMANS IN LOVE!!!!!!!!!!! 

SOUL MATES  ARE THEY... 

OUR LOVING ANGELA!!!!!! 

BEN'S FUN SELF, MAYAAN'S RADIATING SMILE. ELDRICKS SUPPORT AND LINDA'S CHARISMA

TEEN LEADERSHIP MISSION STATEMENT: We are Teen Insight Leadership, traveling the world and creating opportunities to empower and support leaders of tomorrow by giving and receiving service and connecting with the global community. 

FOR THE LOVE OF LOVE AND GIVING!!!!!! 

A True Leader...

BEFORE YOU READ!!!
By "TRUE" I mean truthful and not the "only way to be" 
This is only true if it's true to your own heart...

And when I mention "HE" it means feme and male.

A TRUE LEADER 

A true leader is true to his/her heart. 

A true leader is both vulnerable and strong.

A true leader risks his heart only for what’s worth.

A true leader adopts action and lets go of thought.

A true leader walks courageously into the unknown,
he embraces fear and fear’s baptized a friend to his heart. 

A true leader is devoted and loyal to his intention.
Especially when the world appeals him to question.

A true leader believes in a warm place called home. 

He was never seen it but his faith keeps him walking on.

Lovingly lifting him closer to God.


Linda Herrera

There's more to the phrase, "what do you want?

There is more to just asking for what I want.

I believe so.

This is one of the tips I was taught at my first Teen Insight Seminar.

So I want a job.

That was my first choice when I asked myself what it was that I wanted.

So why do I want a job?

To pay for my own finances and be responsible about what I spend.

I want a job to feel independent.

I also want to feel as if I've earned the wonders I will do with the money.

Ex: Go to Tanzania, help my mother out with expenses and of course get new CLOTHES and personal needs!!!!!

So, what is the experience I want to participate in?

I want to experience responsibility and independence.

Ok so those are the two core emotions I have so far.

How can I be responsible with what I currently have?

By getting to school on time, taking accountability for my actions, turn in my work on time, keep word and agreements.

How can I be independent with what I currently have? 

I can depend on what I have and work with that, I can make myself lunch for school and get assist others. 

It comes down to living the experience while I still haven't gotten what I exactly want.

IF I WANT TO A BOYFRIEND/ GIRLFRIEND RELATIONSHIP.

I WILL BE HAPPY, LOVING, FUN, CONNECTED and COMITTED to myself until I get that.

IT'S BOUND TO HAPPEN SOME TIME!!!!

LINDA HERRERA 

CHECK OUT OUR MONEY THERMOMETER ... ALRIGHT KAI!!!

If you go to our website, under donations, there is a thermometer that let's us know the money Team Tanzania has raised.

We began with perhaps a penny and so far we have  $29,178.11!!!

That's AWESOME!

As you can see, our intention is to hit the highest degree which is

$120,00.

Let's all hold for that.

Please support us by coming down to our events.

The events are in our website under fundraising!

The events are promised to be fun and uplifting!

LiNdA hErReRa

Hello stranger!

I went to the movie theater to watch, "Watchmen" and there was a scene when the New York buildings were coming to a collapse. And the world was just being destroyed, well at least New York.

Two complete strangers held each other for comfort and in the blink of an eye they were disintegrated.

I thought about this simple scene and it meant a lot to me.

I interpreted the scene in my very own way. We walk next to people who are "strangers" but in the end we're all the same.
So I say hello and smile to strangers. Just by giving them a simple smile, we can relate. I urgently advice we love everyone that walks by us before something drastic occurs.

Linda Herrera

Working for it

The Teen Insight Seminar Series has been an integral part of my development as a person, instilling within me invaluable knowledge that has enabled me to become accountable for my own life. My awareness of myself has grown to extend beyond my own physical sphere of experience, and I have come to understand my place in this world as one of a whole. As I have grown, humanities interconnectedness has become very present to me. Therefore, I realize the responsibility I have to create positive energy and change in this world so that we may all benefit. That is the Spirit of Service that I live by. Eugene V. Debs once said, “I am under a moral obligation to [my brother] that is inspired, not by any maudlin sentimentality but by the higher duty I owe myself.” I live with the Spirit of Service within me for my own sake. I want to seize every opportunity that I am presented with to serve and to grow. The way I see it, the only way to receive in this world is to give. I feel blessed that I was able to participate in these life-changing seminars at the early age of 13. Since then, I have participated in every seminar offered by Insight at least once, and have assisted seminars as well. The tools and knowledge that teenagers are able to acquire at an Insight Seminar is incalculable, and as Margaret Fuller once said, “If you have knowledge, let others light their candles in it.” The intention of Insight is raise humanity’s awareness as a whole, one person at a time. As an Insight graduate, I know that I can be of service by offering myself to others with the intention of assisting in their journey and growth. I never would have dreamed that my journey would lead to me to Tanzania, Africa this summer! The opportunity to travel to Tanzania and participate in a seminar there, while being of service to the beautiful children of the Matumaini Orphanage seems like a dream come true! There are many service organizations that work in Africa, but this one is entirely unique to me. I am so fortunate that I may continue to work with my fellow Leadership graduates as we give back to others. Although I always knew that going to Tanzania was something that I wanted to do, I almost decided not to go because of the all the costs involved in such an intricate trip. However, I knew that the intention of such powerful people would not be foiled by trivialities. I am so proud of the accomplishments that we have made so far in the effort to orchestrate this trip, and I have been busy getting donations from local businesses as well as working the weekly bake sales in the USM building in order to raise money for the trip.

ELLIOT GOLDSTEIN

ENTHUSIASM

I can't wait to go to Tanzania. Insight has been such a big part of my life for the past three and a half years and I have learned so much, like how to be comfortable being myself, how to accept everyone just as they are, and most importantly how is share all of my love with others, which is what I plan to do in Tanzania. I can't wait to share all my love and all the tools that Insight has given me with the kids in Tanzania. I am so looking forward to taking all that I have learned and gained from Insight and using it to give back to the world, by sharing it with the Tanzanian kids. My dad always tells me that knowing something and to being able to share that knowledge with others is the same as not knowing something. This is the main reason that this trip is so important to me, I want the opportunity to share my knowledge with other kids my age, from other parts of the world, and make a connection with them.

RACHAEL DODD


The years that I've been involved with Insight has taught me so much about my leadership. One of the most powerful things that I can do with my leadership is being of service not only to myself, but to others that do not have the means to do certain things that most of us can take for granted. Service is being able to share who I am and the things that I can do to make a difference in someone elses life and in the world. One person can make a difference. Who I am makes a difference. This trip to Tanzania is providing me with the opportunity of doing just that - I'm going to make a difference.

LISI ANGEL

FORGIVE

Feels like I am letting everything I love down. Feels like my goals have been further than their finish line commands.
Feels like my eyes are filled with disappointment when I look into the mirror. Feel as if I ‘ve let my very own soul down.
That’s how I’d be feeling at all times if I didn’t have many of my well taught Teen Insight tools.
There is this insight gadget I use to let go of this unwanted emotion. I forgive myself for judging myself for…. (whatever I have judged myself for doing) and I do my best to let it go.
I come to a place of acceptance of the past and let it go, learn from it and move on. I use this gizmo almost as much as I tie my shoelaces. No matter how diminutive or colossal the judgements are, I still use the, I forgive myself for judging myself for_______,
tool.
As a master of this tool and many other insight tools, I believe our heart centered teachings will be passed on to the children. The only difference is that it will be assisted in Swahili.
I am looking forward to seeing the countenance of children who are just like me, but from a different society. How will this world be touched when the transformation and growth of a loving child takes place? That is the climax of the journey, the moment that is every moment. It happens everyday and every moment. I daydream of Tanzania but I must live each second that brings me closer to the voyage, I must live that second fully. Our teachings will expand the heart of the Matumaimi and only the highest good of all knows how this will transform humanity into a lifting experience.

LINDA HERRERA

Love is happening as you read this line.

Last night I went to bed with my heart aching.

                     I connected with the emotion and felt the need to be of instant service. 

I asked the highest good to allow me to serve.

I cuddled into bed with my warm hand over my chest.

The next day my eyes were exposed to 5:00AM

 There was no sun but this morning I saw it shinning in the dark.

I got to school extra early.

I asked for the light before going to theater class.

I asked to live in the present moment.

The whole day passed by and every second I enjoyed.

I didn't visit a dog shelter, or a convalescent home. 

I gave my girlfriend my loving and my classmates my support.

I sat at the doctor's office waiting to be called.

And a vision of Tanzania pierced through my mind.

The point is that no matter where I am, I am love.

I am love sitting in this desk and it spreads throughout the world.

LINDA HERRERA 

Service

I have a world map above my bed and I put blue thumb tacks in all the places I want to go and red for all the places I have been. There is a high concentration of tacks in Europe, but for a couple of years, there has been one blue tack right over the word Africa . It’s one of least specific destinations I had planned. Somewhere in the back of my head I knew I would want to go Africa . So part of the reason I want to go Tanzania is because I will get to travel. And that means a lot to me because I haven’t done a whole lot and what I have done has been unforgettable. The opportunity to go with Teen Insight Leadership, the people I have spent my Insight Seminars with and be of service means even more.

Service is one of those things that’s kind of a paradox to me. While I do it to benefit someone else; I almost always get something out of it even if it’s just being in a better mood. I really saw the value of being of service after Leadership this past summer. I assisted a Teen Insight I in December, which I don’t know if I would have done if I hadn’t done Leadership. What I learned is to accept the present moment. Which kind of covers a lot for me to say the least. Being of service is probably the best way I could spend my time, most of the time, and it feels good.

So far I have really enjoyed the planning and fundraising. I feel like everyone is really focused and there is also a lot of enthusiasm. The seminar feels like has already started for me and I find that there are more and more opportunities, in my life, for me use the skills I learned this past summer.

-Angela Parkes

"When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it." - Paulo Coelho

The intention to be of service in Tanzania is being spread like butter on bread.

The world is supporting us and so is the universe.

Loving and peace are transcending throughout this world, I can feel it.

I myself have experienced some unfelt emotions as Teen Leadership II has begun. 

The economic downfall that the physical world is walking through is just a transition and it will pass. I've came across some classmates of the world that gave me feedback and told me that I was deranged in the head for trying to come up with $4,500 just to go to Africa.

For a moment I thought, "OMG they are right. I could be saving for a car, inverting my energy on school and family and romances." I was not the only one who faced the choice of choosing. 

My buddy Elliot Goldstein, who is also going to Tanzania, had some doubts. Elliot shared and said, 

"Although I always knew that going to Tanzania was something that I wanted to do, I almost decided not to go because of the all the costs involved in such an intricate trip. However, I knew that the intention of such powerful people would not be foiled by trivialities. I am so proud of the accomplishments that we have made so far in the effort to orchestrate this trip."

Mr. Goldstein here is right. The power of our loving intention

is free to dissipate the useless trifles into the light, for the highest good of all. 

The point of this blog, was to put out there what TEEN INSIGHT LEADERSHIP II is asking for.

We are courageously active towards achieving out intention in TANZANIA. 

I personally am living on the edge, asking, giving and receiving. 

The strength and power we have is lovingly taking place right now.

LINDA HERRERA 

Loving is like mathemaics

Loving is like mathematics.

That is one of the ways I like to look at loving. A division problem can be solved very differently in Australia than it is solved here in the U.S.A. However, the quotient is at all times the same.
Loving takes place all around the world.
We may speak a different language, interpret things in a whole different way, disagree, whatever you can think of as different, but love is a global similarity.
I hope you are aware that Teen Insight Leadership is headed to Moshi, Tanzania in Africa this summer.
Of course you are, that is why you are here right?

I watched the Tanzania video and I can promise myself one thing. The loving the Matumaini children give, will lodge permanently in my heart. Service to me is lovingly giving out my assistance to others and believe that when I am no longer physically there, they will use the tools given at their best. It is great to help someone, but it is more powerful to assist and trust that the service given will last a lifetime.
I love the thought and comfort in knowing that I will have the opportunity to share my self growth with people around the world. I love the work insight does. It's like bringing a new dimension into the world. My experience with Insight has been like walking into heaven and in return I get to walk around with heaven everywhere I go, even better I give a piece of heaven with my love.
This is what I personally want to offer to the Matumaini tribe.
I want to offer them the awareness I received and fly back into Los Angeles and know that I myself left a piece of love planted in Moshi.
This type of service can be given all over the nine continents. No matter what we speak, believe, wear, think or live, loving is perpetually present in us



Linda Herrera

Welcome!

Thank you for coming to our blog.  We look forward to having you visit us here.  The Leadership Grads will be journaling their experience of creating the trip and while we are on the trip.

LL

Kelley