Living In My Own World

Where the Hell is Matt? Tel Aviv, Israel!

YouTube legend Matt Harding (aka Where The Hell is Matt) dropped by at Dizengoff Square in Tel Aviv to film his Israeli fans dancing for his third YouTube clip.

For those who still dont know Matt’s story, here’s a rundown:

A few years back, Matt decided to screw everything, quit his 9 to 5 day job working with computer games and travel around the world. A friend of his came up with the idea to film Matt doing his ‘unique’ dance at every location they went to and made the first ‘Where the Hell is Matt’ video clip. The clip was an overnight Youtube success, which quickly got a chewing gum company called Stride to make Matt the following offer (more or less):

“Plan another trip around the world, anywhere you want, all expenses paid by us, and make a second clip for YouTube. All we want in return is that you write ‘Thank you to Stride’ at the end of the clip.”

Matt agreed. (Duh, you think?)

And so here he is in the heart of Tel Aviv, filming yet another clip around the world, explaining how it is gonna work and demonstrating his infamous dance to the delight of the participants.

For the record, Matt was charming and friendly (even in the scorching sun) and it was a pleasure making a fool out of myself for him:

Click pics to enlarge:

Matt hands out Stride Gum bracelets to participants after they sign the release form:

Matt sneaks a peek at the camera before his girlfriend starts filmimg:

Us:

You can see more videos from the event on Ynet (Im the girl in the close-up being blinded by the sun) and NRG.

Among the people who showed up for the Tel Aviv event were the ‘Hey Girls’ (two Israeli girls whose “Hey clip” on YouTube actually surpassed Matt’s by about 8 million views).

This month alone, Matt has already managed to shoot his infamous dance in Portugal, France, Belgium, Sweden and now, Israel.

The final product is said to be up and running on the web in a couple of months.

Thanks, Matt, for spreading the love.

Hugged by a Random Stranger

Last night I got my first free hug from a stranger.

I was sitting with some girlfriends at a Tel-Aviv coffee shop, when we suddenly saw three guys in their twenties walking with signs that read “FREE HUG”.

Feeling weirdly spontaneous, a friend and I jumped at the opportunity. And I have to say: IT WAS SO MUCH FUN!

The hugs themselves were really nice (one guy had some sort of flower-shaped ‘pillow gloves’ on his hands which makes you feel as if you are being hugged from all directions - that was awesome, I just wanted to revel in it!).

And once they left, we still couldnt stop smiling (neither could other people who watched it happen) and it was incredible to think how something this small can have such an amazing immediate effect on our current state as well as the state of those around us).

Anyway, it was a really fun experience; and I strongly recommend taking advantage of the opportunity should it arise.

It’s really just a matter of going with the flow and living the moment. (Another friend that was with us, for example, refused to do it. Ironically, I think she could really use a good hug.)

Related Video:
Free Hug Anyone? Going Once, Going Twice…

All a Child Needs

There is only one thing your child truly needs, and that is YOU in the now and in the present. It has nothing to do with time or your busy schedule. Time is not an issue. It’s about putting everything else aside (your problems, your work, your relationships, your busy, busy lifestyle) and for that one moment simply ‘being’ with your child in every depth of your existence. Listening. That’s all your child needs. And so do you.

** sidenote ** (Updated June 1, 2007)

The other day I was sitting with my 6-year-old neice on the porch swing, when all of a sudden we found ourselves talking about one of her classmates who, as she described it: her father went away when she was a baby and he never came back. They speak on the phone occasionally. “They’re not divorced,” she pointed out to me, “they’re just SEPERATED”. She also explained to me that the girl’s mother ran a day-care center at home and that she never had time for her daughter. She said her friend sometimes felt that the kids her mother takes care of all day long experience having her as “their mother” more than she did. Together, we discussed how that made her friend feel and if she had tried sharing these feelings with her mother…

“Yeah, she tried!”

“So what happened? Did it help?”, I asked.

She then shook her head with deep empathy and compassion. “No! Her mother didn’t listen.“

Free Hug Anyone? Going Once, Going Twice…

In the midst of a typical Tel Aviv day, 3 regular people, just like you and me, set out to make a difference. They had no secret agenda - they just wanted to get out there and hug someone, believing that it will make us all feel a lot better, and make the world a little brighter.

As one of the girls who participated in the “Free Hug Campaign” wrote in her blog (it was originally in Hebrew, so this is a loose translation):

What made me sad was that the people who seemed to “need it most” were the ones who ran away to the other side of the street or interrogated us about which political party we were representing, or what we where selling, or what we wanted. It hurt to see the suspicion in their eyes, that we only wanted to give them a hug, nothing more and nothing less… that we weren’t going to hurt them.

And then there were those who said that they “didn’t have time” to stop for a hug or that they “already hugged at home” or those who simply shrugged and said “What for?”

I respected the girl who shook her head from a safe distance and said “Sorry, I have trust issues…” or the guy who told me, “I’m too shy”. Others hugged us in pantomime from a distance or declared that they were hugging us “in theory”.

But there were amazing moments such as hugging a little girl that her father brought to me, or one beautiful girl that I guess really needed that hug because she simply started crying as if we were sent to her from heaven. There were also some tired, old ladies who were suddenly brought back to life and started hugging and laughing, a guy who got out of his car for us, a few who got off their bikes, some who came back several times and some who even came back and brought some friends.

What can I say: it opened my appetite for more…

My hat goes off to these people; it takes alot of guts to hug random strangers. But when you see the smiles on the faces of the recievers, you understand what little it takes to make the world around us a better place. A true inspiration:

By the way, all this is inspired by this dude in Sydney who gives away free hugs. The cops banned him, until a massive petition brought him back.

Jerusalem Hug - Pics and Video Footage - May 21, 2007

Last Monday afternoon, what seemed like thousands of people gathered in one big hug of love around the Old City of Jerusalem.

Most of the day, starting from around 12 noon, people of all religions, all “types”, young and old (I’m talking from infants to some incredibly adorable elders who appeared to be in their 80’s or even 90’s), gathered on the luscious, green lawn of Hutzot Hayotzer in preparation for the historic event. Those hours of preparation proved to be no less mystical and significant than the “Hug” itself. It was sort of like Woodstock all over again (only minus the hundreds of thousands of people and the hallucinative drugs).

These people didn’t need the drugs. Some of them were on that “natural, spiritual high” that you hear so much about and can only dream of one day reaching: true ecstasy from a higher level of consciousness - while all the rest were simply high on life. Most of the hours were spent making music, singing, dancing, meditating, practicing capoeira, laughing, smiling and just plain and simple “being”. Oh, and there was hugging. Lots and lots of spontaneous hugging everywhere I looked.

Love was truly in the air. And so was peace, enlightenment and a true and passionate hope for a better world.

Of course, the police were all prepared for the event and were circling the area with weapons in hand. But they, too, were occasionally caught smiling to themselves, observing the serene moment, only to catch themselves in time and keep “doing their jobs”.

At around 5:00 pm, we all set out to circle the Old City, following the beats of the drums which led us, and gathering curious pedestrians along the way. Im not going to get into the Hug itself because no words can describe the sensation you get when you suddenly find yourself One with the people around you, One with the ancient historic walls, One with the world, One with the Universe… One with God. You just simply cannot describe that kind of silence.

I’m Off to Hug Jerusalem (and the World)

I’m off to Jerusalem to hopefully join thousands of others in the largest human hug ever in history.

So can I really change the world? Little ole me?

YES I CAN.

And you know what?

So can YOU.

Whoever cannot make it to Jerusalem, you can be with us in spirit. Please send your prayers for peace, unconditional love and a better world. Together, we can make it happen.

I will report back tomorrow on this amazing spiritual experience. With some pictures too!

Shira

A U.S. Capitol Miracle?

On March 25, James Twyman and representatives from Communities of Peace (www.communitiesofpeace.org) gathered on the west lawn of the US Capitol to commemorate the Season For Non-Violence. During the ceremony a mile long quilt called “The Children’s Cloth of Many Colors” was laid on the grass in the form of an enormous peace sign. The quilt was there for no more than one hour and was then removed.

The next morning a call was received by the Capitol Police asking why there was a peace sign blazed into the grass. In fact, the grass where the quilt lie was greener and longer than the rest of the lawn. The response from around the world has been extraordinary. Please help us spread the word of this miracle. For more information please read the attached emails from James reporting the incident.

Below are two emails from James Twyman with more information:

MIRACLE at the US Capitol

A Letter From James Twyman:

A miracle took place yesterday at the US Capitol during our peace concert in Washington, DC. I was informed about this only moments ago through a phone call from the Capitol Police Department and knew it was important to spread the word as quickly as possible. I hope you’ll pass this email to as many people as possible throughout the world. We also hope to receive photos of the miracle to post on my website, www.jamestwyman.com.

I believe that this miracle is a sign from Heaven. In fact, the Capitol Police are threatening to charge us to pay for the removal of the sign which appears on the west lawn of the building facing the Washington Monument.

Here’s the story:

Eight years ago I initiated a peace project called the Cloth of Many Colors, a mile long quilt made up of millions of small swatches of cloth donated from around the world. It was presented at the UN, The US Capitol and the Pentagon in September of 2000, then around the world at many international peace gatherings. While at the Capitol the idea was born to create a children’s version of the quilt, an idea that was successfully headed by the Master’s Group, an organization in the Washington area. The Children’s Cloth of Many Colors is now nearly as long as the original quilt.

During a concert and ceremony held on the lawn of the US Capitol yesterday it was decided to use the Children’s Cloth to create an enormous peace sign, one that would be clearly visible for many miles. The symbol was soon completed and the ceremony held within. We could feel the energy radiating from the peace sign, and we shared many prayers asking for humanity to turn toward peace and a world based upon the laws of compassion and love.

There was no way for us to know just how powerful our prayers of peace were!!!

According to the police, the quilt literally burned the peace sign into the lawn of the US Capitol. Though I am relying upon the reports of the police and have not seen the miracle with my own eyes, it is apparently clearly visible and they are hastily doing everything possible to have it removed.

But it won’t be removed from our memories or our hearts.

I believe that this is a brilliant manifestation of the prayers of peace from millions, even billions of people from around the planet who no longer resonate with the warring policies of many governments around the world, and it seems that Heaven has made its own feelings heard. There is no obvious physical explanation for this phenomenon. The quilt was placed softly on the ground for only one hour, so the possibility of a human cause is remote.

PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD. PASS THIS EMAIL TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW.

US Capitol Miracle Continues

The Miracle of the peace sign appearing on the lawn of the US Capitol continues. If you haven’t heard the entire story, on Sunday, March 25, James Twyman focused a peace ceremony commemorating the Season For Non-Violence in Washington, DC. During the ceremony, which was held on the west lawn of the US Capitol, the “Children’s Cloth of Many Colors” (for more info on this amazing project please visit www.communitiesofpeace.org) was laid gently on the grass in the form of a giant peace sign, and the ceremony took place in the center.

The next day the sponsor of the event, Gerry Eitner, received a concerned phone call from the US Capitol Police saying that the grass where the cloth lie was now discolored, leaving an enormous peace sign on the lawn.

This morning the police department called back with more information. They believe that some type of fertilizer attached to the quilt caused the discoloration. In reality, however, there was nothing attached to the Children’s Cloth except the prayers of those present at the ceremony, as well as thousands of people from around the world. Subsequent calls to professional lawn care companies indicated that there is currently nothing on the market that would cause such a sudden overnight change. In fact, witnesses reported that the “peace sign grass” is actually longer and greener than the rest of the lawn.

Has a miracle visited the US Capitol? If so, then what is the message?

From James Twyman:

“I believe that this miracle was caused by two factors. First of all, there were hundreds of thousands of people focusing on the Capitol ceremony while it was taking place. At one point we actually held hands around the peace sign and called upon the energy of all those people from around the world, feeling their presence around the quilt with us. The intent of so many people can be a powerful energetic force and seems to have catalyzed a change in the actual earth causing the grass to grow greener and longer overnight. Second, I believe that in some way and for some reason the earth is literally giving us a sign. This is a critical point in the history of the world. If we don’t begin turning our thoughts and actions toward peace, for both humanity and the environment, a deep crisis may be around the corner. For me the peace sign on the lawn of the US Capitol is both a warning and a symbol of hope. I’m hoping we’ll listen and begin working for peace.”

PLEASE HELP SPREAD THE WORD BY PASSING THIS POST TO AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE.

The Largest Interfaith Global Meditation and Prayer Event Ever Performed

“The Largest interfaith global meditation and prayer event ever performed will be taking place from May 15th to May 29th with over one-million people participating. At the same time James Twyman will join with peacemakers from throughout Israel and Palestine to literally “hug” the Old City of Jerusalem, sending their prayers of peace to heal this troubled land.

The Jerusalem Hug will take place on May 21, but there are many other ways you can participate. Over the next two weeks other announcements will be sent describing how you can help spread this worldwide movement of peace and prayer. Also, James Twyman is leading a group of pilgrims to be part of this event. If you have any interest in attending in person, you can visit JamesTwyman.com and click Schedule.

Please use the information below to register yourself or your group. Let’s choose peace today for ourselves and the whole world.

More information on the vigil:

CommonPassion.org, in cooperation with many local and global groups, is orchestrating the world’s largest interfaith global meditation and prayer event ever performed. This will be a series of meditation and prayers for community and global peace to be held between May 15th and May 29th, 2007. It is anticipated that over 1,000,000 people will participate in this two-week program from virtually every faith-system, religious group, indigenous community and meditation assembly currently in existence.

Concurrent with the prayer-meditation practices we will monitor crime statistics, emergency call data and other social indicators to ascertain change as a result of this peace-creating program.

Here’s how the May program works:

Each group will select a day or days in which to perform their specific prayer or meditative practice, the intention for which is to foster social harmony at a local and or global level. CommonPassion.org is formulating a common intention and theme for all groups to share, which will foster the coherence-creating effect. Each group or individual will enroll on this site and provide a profile of the practice that will be performed on the selected day(s).

The localized foci of prayer-meditation activities will be based in large part on where they succeed in obtaining data from law enforcement and municipal governments. In other words, if Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Rome, Tokyo, London and Rio municipal governments agree to provide crime and emergency call data, then they will enroll additional groups in these metro areas to participate in activities focused on these areas. This will help enlist the meaningful cooperation of participants in target areas; the empirical evidence suggests that this will enhance the desired effect.

CommonPassion.org is the primary portal for enrolling and participating in this program.

If you are an individual and would like to participate, please click here register.

If you manage or direct a prayer or meditation group, and would like to participate please click here to register.

Love is in the Air

Taken at Meir Garden in Tel-Aviv

The Big Hug - The Old City of Jerusalem

UPDATED: See also Jerusalem Hug Pics and Video Footage

May 21 2007 (21-05-07) Monday 4th of Sivan 5767

5,000 people holding hands are needed to surround the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem in a unified embrace.

We call upon lovers of Jerusalem of all walks of life, of all religions, from all areas of the world and of course all of Israel, Palestine and Jerusalem.

The purpose of this event is to unite diverse people though our common denominator, our Love for the holy city Jerusalem. This act is both simple and meaningful, offering the potential to redefine our relationship with each other and create new realities.

Why May 21, 2007?

According to the Mayan calender, on May 21, 2007 the cosmic gate is about to be opened, which will help increase human awareness and serves as a preparation for the positive changes approaching us up ahead. This day will be in synch with long term sycles of the Sun, the Moon, Venus and other planets, in different cultures. The opening of these gates will allow a leap of consciousness for all humanity and will bring in a frequency of unconditional love into our lives. There is also a fascinating synchronization between the Mayan calender and the Jewish calender, where May 21 falls on the day before Shavu’ot Eve, right before the completion of the 50 gates to redemption. The evening of Passover was the first day of the opening of the gate, while the last day is on the eve of Shavuot. The 21 of May represents the end of this cycle, a time of closure, a day intended so that we can break free from the past and jump to a new dimension of love and bliss.

Great collective involvement on this particular day will open the existing gates even more, allowing access to parallel dimensions in our physical reality.

Why Jerusalem?

To read quotations from ancient sources, click here.

Quotations from new age sources – Channelings:

Ariel
“This is where the entire focus of the world grid goes to zero point. For those who are not aware of it, the center of the whole matrix, a major zero point spot on the Planet, is Jerusalem. And this piece of real estate is, in our estimation, in order for your Planet to know peace it must become a Peace Park that is part of an international community. Now, will that happen in your lifetime? Yes.”

Kryon
“The “New Jerusalem” will be such a contrast to the old one that historians will say, “How could a place with such a violent history be the portal of peace on Earth?” This is the potential in Jerusalem. It exists as a “portal to the way Earth will evolve.” So far, it has been death and more death. The potential is that it can become the model of “peace and more peace.” Can this really occur? Yes. It will take time, but the energy being delivered to the planet from now to the year 2008 will make a difference. Watch the players change. Watch what the children will do.”

Tobias - Tuvya
“For we all return to our land. The land that is called Promised, the land that is called Holy. But it is indeed a land where an energy was buried a long time ago. Long before the days of Atlantis, long before the days of Lemuria, an energy was placed in this land, to be brought forth at the right time by the right group of people.”

Structure of the Event:

May 21, 2007:

People will gather at four locations before the event. The primary meeting point is on the lawn below Hutsot Hayotser which is across the street from Jaffa Gate. The other three points will be near the Damascus Gate, Lions Gate and Dung Gate.

13:00– We will begin to gather at the above meeting places. Transportation and parking arrangements will be announced.

At the meeting point, people will be greeted by volunteers. We plan informal activities to help people meet and enjoy each other including: talking and listening circles, music circles, laughter yoga etc.

Please bring WATER and food for yourself. We will arrange snacks for purchase.
Restrooms will be accessible. First Aid and “security” stations will be there too.

15:30– The walk encircle the Old City walls will begin. Drummers will lead the walk. People in each of the four areas will have colored ribbons. Moving towards the right or left from each starting point, the distances will be a few hundred meters until groups meet. The ribbons shall create a prism of colors to reflect the wholeness of light which is one translation of “Jerusalem” - “Or Salem - whole light.

Please note that some parts are flatter and smoother than others. People will be advised as to which areas might be more comfortable. We expect additional people to arrive directly to their hug spots by buses. We intend to offer transportation for those who require such assistance. Everyone is welcome to participate.

As we walk to our places along the wall, musicians will bring drums and other instruments to their places on the wall above us.

17:00– (to be announced if different) when people with different colors meet, we will begin our Hug Ceremony.

THE HUG– CEREMONY:

As we meet, drummers will drum and other musicians will blow shofars or didgeridoos, and gong gongs to celebrate that we have connected.

We will each take time to express ourselves through spontaneous song, prayer, drumming meditation or what ever. Some people may even hug. Please do note and respect that many religious people do not touch members of the opposite gender.

Film crews are likely to be in the area. We will be part of a full length documentary and a group has asked to film us on line. We are likely to have web cam as well.

Volunteers will be at many places along the way for the purpose of telephone logistics, first aid and social interaction.

After the Hug:

We welcome people to go to gathering places to enjoy additional circles of conversation, music and play.

All Nations Café offers a concert at Gethsemane east of the Old City at the foot of the Mt. of Olives. This will feature original music played by both Arab and Israeli musicians.

There will probably be many more such events.

Transportation to parking space will be announced.

Donations of time, expertise and money are welcome and appreciated.

Can not make it in person? You can join the Virtual Hug.

How can you help? Here are the things that are needed for sure:

• Publicity, publicity, publicity!
• Pass on the flyer and website by e-mail
• Pass out flyers to all sorts of people
• Contact people who might organize groups of friends form their region
• Contact tour guides and leaders to bring their groups
• Attract media to our “happening”
• Phone calls
• Translating text to Arabic, English, French, Dutch, German, Amharic etc.
• Coordinators to organize volunteers
• Coordinators to organize home hospitality
• Organize your friends and neighbors to come
• Set up and clean up on site
• Volunteers on the day of the event including paramedics, telephone liaison, subtle security, many friendly people to welcome huggers
• Drummers and other musicians
• Fund raising. Small and large donations will be helpful.
• Logistics magician to handle municipality requests
• Your kind of help.

For more important information:

www.loversofjerusalem.org

Phone in Israel Maya – 02 6731822 or Michal – 0546 678029

Related Posts:

NEW! Jerusalem Hug Pics and Video Footage

The Largest Interfaith Global Meditation and Prayer Event Ever Performed

Corroboree

Written by Tam Katzin and Bronwyn Edwards Cryer, Corroboree celebrates the spirit of global peace and love. In honor of Global Love Day, May 1, with its theme “Love Begins With Me,” we invite the world to share the message:

We are one humanity on this planet.
All life is interconnected and interdependent.
All share in the Universal bond of love.
Love begins with self acceptance and forgiveness.
With tolerance and compassion we embrace diversity.
Together we make a difference through love.
Be a part of it. Spread the word.

Sing it Anyway

Martina McBride’s live performance of “Anyway” on American Idol left me stunned, inspired and bawling my eyes out like a 6-year-old girl with pigtails. Not only were the lyrics so powerful and so intense, but that was nothing compared to the flawless way that she delivered them.

Perfect voice, stage presence… a true diva.

“Anyway” Lyrics:

You can spend your whole life building
Something from nothin’
One storm can come and blow it all away
Build it anyway

You can chase a dream
That seems so out of reach
And you know it might never come your way
Dream it anyway

God is great
But sometimes life ain’t good
And when I pray
It doesn’t always turn out like I think it should
But I do it anyway
I do it anyway

This world’s gone crazy
It’s hard to believe
That tomorrow will be better than today
Believe it anyway

You can love someone with all your heart
For all the right reasons
In a moment they can choose to walk away
Love ‘em anyway

God is great
But sometimes life ain’t good
And when I pray
It doesn’t always turn out like I think it should
But I do it anyway
I do it anyway

You can pour your soul out singing
A song you believe in
That tomorrow they’ll forget you ever sang
Sing it anyway
Yea - sing it anyway

I sing
I dream
I love
Anyway

The Secret

There are certain movies which you need to watch at least once. The ones that have a message. The ones where you need to surrender to the moment, dive deep inside the screen, into the story, into your soul. The ones you need to keep within reach.

The Secret is one of those movies.

The least you could do (for yourself) is watch it. The most you can do (for humanity) is pass it on.

Note: You’ll need to clear up about an hour and a half from your busy, busy schedule.. but I guarantee you it’s worth it.

I would love to hear your thoughts about the movie. I would love even more to hear stories or opinions of those who have actually tried the secret on themselves.

How has it worked for you? Inspire and be inspired!