ThresholdWorld

Greetings World! I feel so blessed to be writing again. Much Appreciation to all the Teachers! - See the events and educators to follow in this post . You know who you are. Whether it's elementary, middle school, high school or college. Whether it was for one to obtain a diploma, degree, certificate or street smarts. If you have taught someone a skill that causes them to have more understanding and maybe even find a better way of life, then you have helped make that difference. Life in itself is certainly a teacher. In my 42 years of life I've learned lessons which have helped me to navigate future challenges. This is also why I write. It's part of my life's purpose. I've learned things that I can share to inform and inspire you to make a positive difference. It's like electricity. You need a charge. The lesson though is to find yourself current! We need to be recharged at times. Oh that's a topic for another day.  -A teacher gives a set of lessons...

Yours Truly!-Melanie Rise Up! - Video Version of Text Psalm 45 says 'my tongue is the pen of a ready writer'. Every time I write creation occurs. Be blessed. Today is Easter Sunday 2020 and no one would've imagined that churches would have no congregation in pews today. Fifth Ave would have no hats on display and no major egg hunts would take place in our communities. Clearly our vision for 2020 did not entail being separate from co-workers, extended family members and friends. Yet the need to stay safe at home has saved lives. More cooked meals are being prepared. More attention is being given to immediate family members. Provisions have also been made in financial relief so that more can focus on being well. We thank our medical workers for providing care during this time and always. Hopefully by this weekend more of us were able to begin shedding off our old selves. The one that didn't pay attention to the details of who we are and why we are here. T...

On Wednesday I experienced the opportunity of sharing higher education opportunities with employees of Mount Sinai Hospital. I felt blessed to share resources with professionals that serve to care for the well being of so many. Thanks so much again to the Mount Sinai Hospital Diversity and Inclusion  Council and 1199 SEIU .   Mount Sinai Diversity Council Co-chairs Patricia Orlieb and Suzanne Young -Mercer.  During this engaging event I met Hayley Gardiner of Mount Sinai Center for Spirituality and Health . I was intrigued by this area of the hospital and went over for more information.  Hayley Gardiner of Mount Sinai Center for Spirituality and Health  Hayley kindly offered me lavender oil for my wrists. It was refreshing to breathe in the aroma. It was cleansing. Healthline.org defines  Aromatherapy as a holistic healing treatment that uses natural plant extracts to promote health and well-being. Sometimes it’s called essential o...

National Service Shabbat with Geralynn Lane Five years ago... a table was prepared for me to meet  new friends.  The picture above is the day that started it all; actually, it was the preparation for this day. My partner at the podium is Geralynn Lane, not pictured (yet in the audience) is Yusyin Hsin. We’d all been working with NYC Service at partnering agencies. There was an opportunity to attend a National Service Shabbat. I was intrigued by this idea to celebrate service through Jewish custom and belief. As opposed to a formal grace over the food, Geralynn and I led the audience into a moment of gratitude, setting the tone for the evening. There were many progressive young people present. We listened to one another and shared our stories. It was a safe space. Our common share was the gratitude in meeting one another through service.   I grew up in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. Honestly the only connection that I had with my Jewish neighbors was my parent’s l...

Happy Service Year 2019! It’s not by chance the first post is published as many elected officials are being sworn into office. Congratulations to all that have accepted the call to serve. Some memorable pledges, promises and swearing-ins of my life:  The first time I took the  AmeriCorps Pledge , seeing my daughters recite their  Girl Scouts  Promise and Law and witnessing the historic swearing in of President Barack Obama.   There are many new elected officials in 2019 and therefore a need for new people to support their efforts in the community. Let’s take the time to visit their websites, see what committees they sit on and really get involved with what’s happening now. Click here for Local, State and Federal elected contacts. Submit your email and subscribe to their newsletters. This will help you to be in the know. Continue reading to learn ways to be civically engaged in January. (This list is mostly specific to NYC.  Check ...

Greetings! ThresholdWorld Fam, I love how  Hanukkah  (which means dedication in Hebrew) is celebrated with eight nights of reciting blessings and lighting the menorah. Then about two weeks later the action of giving is celebrated with multicolored lights, decor, the birth the Jesus Christ and the message of love as a light to the world. The very day after is Kwanzaa . An African American and Pan African holiday celebrating family, community and culture. The Seven Principals, Nguzo Saba are celebrated by lighting a candle each day which has a specific meaning. Hanukkah Pic: Modern_Ritual Below is an excerpt from Dr. Maulanga Karenga , Founder of Kwanzaa. The message this year is Reimagining and Remaking the World: A Kwanzaa Commitment to an Inclusive Good. "And Kwanzaa is a celebration of freedom, of the free space we have created to honor ourselves, to remember, reflect and recommit ourselves. It is a celebration of hearts and minds free from self-doubt, self-deni...

Happy Holidays! These events may not be televised but they will be live. There may be drummers drumming yet no pipers piping. Some ladies may be dancing but forget the other stuff. History is being highlighted in and around town this weekend. On Sunday, December 16, 2018 in partnership with the National Park Service and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity , ASALH - The Association for the Study of African American Life and History is commemorating the 143rd Anniversary of the birth of Carter G. Woodson, Founder of Black History Month. The event is scheduled to take place 2:00pm at Seaton Elementary School located at 1503 10th St. N.W. Washington, D. C. 20001. What better way to commemorate the father of Black History Month than to donate historic and cultural books to children this season. The Brooklyn Branch of the NAACP is requesting donations of books starting Saturday, December 15th through Wednesday, December 19th. The branch will be collecting books for their Holiday Book Driv...