'Aid' - 'Ethics'

Aid services provided, a person who helps or assists
 
Ethics a code of behaviour, especially of a particular group, profession or individual, the moral fitness of a decision or course of action, the study of the moral value of human conduct
 
Two words that naturally flow my thoughts, over my tongue and through my lips. Words that have rocketed me into projects and decisions over the past few months and watch so many moments and people come alive.
 
“I am here to aid others. I am here to aid others.”
 
Words I repeated, chanted, as I lay in bed with my absolute reason for being.
 
The past week, four weeks. In fact four months have overwhelmed me with fruition. It has been that latter of amount of time since I had neurosurgery. It seems distant. A faint memory whilst being a pivotal moment feeding me with direction. There have been strong pushes and pulls to realise those words I released through sobs on the day I left hospital. Overwhelmed with the life flowing through my body and visions pouring from my eyes and mind. “I am here to aid others. I am here to aid others.” Words I repeated to the Occupational Therapist. I strive to do this every day through my actions, plans and work. I am doing this with my ethics entwined…
 
A few weeks back I had an MRI. I know the results will show the amazing healing that has taken place. Illuminating further the smile currently lifting my cheeks, my eyes, my face. I also set myself a challenge that day. To cycle from home to the hospital and back. With a few visits and diversions on the day I cycled over thirty miles. I got home beaming and exhilarated. I am in good health with my words and actions proving it.
 
So, what has been occurring in these recent days and weeks? Lots of ideas and desires of mine have turned into plans and are in action. Some have been in my thoughts for a few weeks or months and some even a few years. Boosh boom. Just like that. They have come together and begun. Community work, employment, yoga, café and creativity.
 
I have been offered and accepted work at Cornwall College, Pool, teaching Arts in the community in Camborne town; thank you. I also delivered (I literally take mats and blocks in on my bicycle) a six week programme of Yoga classes at All Saints Community Centre, Tuckingmill, as a trial. 
 
The community centre itself brought an idea of old to the forefront of my mind. Setting up ‘Earth Café’ on a local level to where I live. It is a café I have volunteered with and helped run for the past eight years in Plymouth. Having it near to me instead of seventy-five miles away has always been a desire. I approached the community centre with the café ethics and brief – run by volunteers with  our compassion for earth and our communities within through talks, announcements, music and vegan food. - and awaited their response. Well, their response was ‘yes please! We want it here.’ It happens to link in perfectly with their centre plans and development briefs. From that a date was set, Saturday 25th September, 7pm. Here comes a monthly café about the welfare of earth and all upon it. Linking into projects, events, communities, businesses and plans that take place around us on a local level who have the same focus and ethics. ‘Hoorah!’
 
The centre wanted to know more about me so I told them some more and asked if they would like my CV and they again said ‘yes please’.  From that came a meeting and a job offer of teaching arts, crafts and street photography alongside a day of teaching in the kitchen based on plant based meals. I returned their words, ‘yes please’. I begin there next week. “Wahoo!”
 
Now I return to the yoga trial sessions. Do I continue them? The best people to ask are those who attend the classes and oh the compliment and relief when they say ‘yes please’. This is where my ethics and desire to aid others flows through my mind strong. How do I deliver these classes and their benefits, cover costs and make sure they are accessible to all? After chats with a friend yesterday on another topic and development plans for the community café I became inspired and transferred an idea from these to my yoga classes.
 
As of next week the classes are ‘pay as you feel’ or ‘contribute (skills, knowledge/passion) as you can’. You put payment into an envelope at the end of class and then into a box. No one knows how much has gone in. An alternative option is contributing a skill or time you have by writing the possibilities and contact details on a card in the envelope. For example volunteer at Earth Cafe, or another event or project or donate an item to the community centre food bank, or this or that or thanks or some ideas I am yet to think of or you share. If one is unsure how much to pay I suggest £5-10. One week you might pay a different amount to another according to what is available. The most important factor is you are enjoying the benefits of yoga and being amongst other people in a good wholesome environment.
 
Although I was unsure what the response would be I felt so alive offering this to the class attendees today. Giving them the freedom of choice had my ethics breathe and my soul free itself. The class lit up and threw absolute support my way. This idea is now in place. Yay yay yayyyy! 
 
Alongside all of these happenings I applied for funding from Cornwall Neighbourhoods for Change to cover the cost of six yoga mats, blocks, bricks and belts. Guess what? You know the answer. They said ‘yes’. These are on order and should be with me in the next week. Again making the classes more accessible. Just come and be. Be you. Over the next few months classes will take place at additional times and places. I look forward to giving you the updates.
 
I also look forward to delivering classes in arts, photography, the kitchen and the community. Here. Here with you.
 
 
The bells rang
The birds sang
Another day began
 
This day
The day
You choose the way
In which you listen
To your voice
Step forward
Take your place
Your scene
Your sight
Your way
 
 
Namaste
x