Category: Inspirational

As I drove up to this fourth annual celebration, which already looked beyond beautiful with gorgeous flowers overhanging gorgeous architecture and greenery within sight, I felt an instant ease in my soul.

How did Tias Arms begin?

“[My] birthday happened to be around the corner and I took the opportunity to invite friends, old and new, to a party asking for support in beginning the dream of TIAS ARMS. We collected donated goods including art, trips and items left from my former Timbuktu Folk and Tribal Art Gallery and held a silent auction along with dinner and dancing. Friends unable to attend sent generous donations and a surprisingly sizable amount of money was raised. I was overwhelmed at the volume of support. Willing friends stepped forward to form a Board and the Law Firm of Latham and Watkins secured our non-profit status pro-bono. TIAS ARMS was born!”-Joanne Baker

Joanne was born in South Africa and just this last December, seventeen Be the cause volunteers were honored with her delightful, and informational presence on our adventure to Cape Town and Durban in South Africa to give love and donations to the many children infected with HIV/AIDS. Her bright, wise outlooks and the love she continues to give to the children is highly exceptional and phenomenal.

When an email went out asking for volunteers for this fourth annual event, there was no question in my mind…for me to assist. Despite not being able to help out in the pre-planning, I arrived early to the event and learned about the silent auction and when and where I would be volunteering. Right away, I felt embraced by this volunteer team. We met in a room away from the dining area, and wished a fellow volunteer a happy birthday and practiced a song…”I am Woman, Hear Me Roar.” I joined this group onstage to sing to the audience before us…and at that moment, I realized that the song was for a woman who has been an incredible help and model of kindness for Tias Arms. when I realized this, I felt completely proud to be belting this song out to the blur of colorfully attired beings seated.

Before this singing, people milled around looking at the beautiful items up for auction, a band drummed for the crowd out on the grass, and a talented woman engaged other women in head wrapping with bright, beautifully printed fabric.

Dinner began and presentations of value were directed toward the groups of people at decorated, circular tables. Joanne showed pictures of her experiences with the children in South Africa, and Michele from Be the Cause clearly spoke of what BTC experienced in South Africa and what Be the Cause continues to participate in as a group…for communities, and for the globe.

Toward the end of the evening, receipts were added up and winners of the auction were given their unique, original gifts…

The night wasn’t over yet and I was thrilled…some sounds of disco emerged from the dining area. A band started on a series of hits, and Tias Arms attendees followed suit and danced until the band decided to pack up for home.

A mountain is nature’s fortress, strong and stationary, withstanding the pounding of fierce storms, the burning of the sun’s rays; a mountain can also be a place of rest, a place containing the caress of a gentle breeze and the kiss of soft rain.

Once experienced Machu Pichu is a sacred place that never leaves you. It is a mountain, at an elevation thousands of feet above sea level, remotely located in the Peruvian jungle; a place securely situated high up in the sky, where it seems earth ends and the heavens begin. It is where the air thins dramatically and unaccustomed to the height, one’s lungs stretch for a little more breath; where a short hike becomes a major expedition as the heart pounds after only a few steps. This is a silent, still place entered by foot via the Gate of the Sun at the end of the ancient footpath known as the Inca trail. If one listens carefully the light, lithe footsteps of the runners who once used this as a supply pathway can still be heard. This site, semi-encircled by the magnificent snow covered, towering range of awe inspiring Andes, consists of a valley, at whose side stand two related mountains. These paternal protectors, father, Machu and son, Huayna, reverently gaze toward each other, embracing this basin creating a space of safety. This place of timeworn stone relics and remnants of buildings, when seen from above, forms the shape of a magnificent condor, with wings open, preparing to soar.

This is where I go to find myself, it is the place I choose to meditate. When I can’t go to the mountains I use my imagination to take me to this sacred space; whether in my mind or in nature, here is where I begin, I picture this place, close my eyes and slowly I breathe the mountain into me and in that moment we are one and the same.

–Stacey