New Mexico Men’s Wellness
REGISTER EARLY (by Sept. 1st) for the EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT!
Future conference planning sessions:
Tuesday, September 2, at 7.00 p.m., Albuquerque
Tuesday, September 16, at 7.00 p.m., Santa Fe
Tuesday, September 30, at 7.00 p.m., Albuquerque (if needed)
Tuesday, October 14, at 7:00 p.m., Santa Fe (if needed)
CONTACT: Lawrence Cook, rlcook44@msn.com for additional information
The spirit of New Mexico is all around us. We can experience it by hiking, observing the night sky, enjoying a meal with our families, taking a walk along a river (Pecos) as the sun brings forth the soul of the day or enjoying the company of new and old friends at the New Mexico Men’s Wellness Gathering, August 1, 2, 3, 2008. This will occur at Jack’s Creek Campground in the Pecos Wilderness.
For the past 20 years men from around the southwest have gathered to promote the health and wellness of men, their families, communities and natural environment. This year’s theme, Dimensions of the Male Spirit will look at the multifaceted connections that men have in an ever changing world. The weekend will certainly be full of great company, high energy, workshops and wonderful food in a setting of beauty and wonder.
Registration Form
I look forward to seeing you there.
Best regards,
Charlie Lawrence (Summer Gathering Leader)
cl-kayak@hotmail.com
2008 Fathers and Daughters Gathering
June 6-8th at
Ghost Ranch, Abiquiu, New Mexico
The Story of Us
Accept this rare opportunity to join fathers and daughters in the majestic beauty of Ghost Ranch in June. Enjoy a time of undivided attention in a safe and nurturing environment, exploring the rewards and challenges of that most delicate relationship we call Father-Daughter.
Come share the stories we tell about ourselves and each other. Examine the common themes and intricate threads of the Father-Daughter relationship. As Fathers, how did the experiences of our own generation affect our expectations for our daughters? As Daughters, what challenges have we faced in an effort to create our own identity, and how did our “breakout” change our expectations of our selves? The “Story of Us” is one that in truth reflects the past, but guides us into a new understanding of the future.
Don’t miss this chance to spend a weekend solely devoted to exploring, healing, and strengthening your relationship with your father and your daughter.
Complete the registration form below today and reserve your space at the third annual Father and Daughter Gathering at Ghost Ranch.
April 23, 2008
To: The Men of NM Men’s Wellness
From: David Kuenzli
I would like your feedback about an idea I had a few weeks ago that I believe might make a small but important difference in our seemingly chaotic and often uncaring world.
Here’s the idea:
Sometime before May 15, many of us will be receiving a tax rebate from the Federal government, ostensibly, to stimulate the economy and to help out those of us who could definitely use the extra cash. While many folks, of course, are struggling financially in this ailing economy and need to put this rebate toward personal and family needs, others of us have been blessed financially and may want to do something else with that money for “the greater good.”
While I don’t have any particular “pet project” of my own to push, I think it could be exciting for us men in the Men’s Wellness community, as well as many other people throughout our country, to come up with thoughtful ways of pooling our resources in order to have a greater, positive impact in our local communities and/or the wider the world.
With this in mind, I wondered, what might happen if thousands of us around the country gathered together in small, informal groups of friends, co-workers, church groups, men’s and women’s support groups, etc. to discuss where that money might be put to best use? By pooling their money, and directing it to meaningful, not-for-profit causes, each group might gain an empowering sense that together they can make a difference. And who knows what else might flow from these groups?
I would suggest that in each group, people come with ideas about where the money can best be used (for example, international projects like Habitat for Humanity, the Heifer Project, Doctors Without Borders, environmentally friendly programs and refugee services; or local projects like food banks, services for the elderly or homeless, or educational programs for children and youth).
As the members of each informal group share their ideas and listen to each other, they have the opportunity to raise their own awareness of what is being done locally and in the wider world, and what else might be done to help make the world a bit better, friendlier, safer and healthier for us and for our children.
How the decision is made as to which projects, if any, the group decides to support would be up to each group.
If the idea appeals to you, may I suggest the following:
2. Let your friends in the Men’s Wellness community know where and when you would like to hold your own gathering.
3. Use the gathering as an opportunity to enjoy each others’ company, as you share your ideas and are stimulated by the idea that your group can really make a difference in some meaningful way.
When I shared this idea with a friend of mine in our men’s community, he responded with excitement and enthusiasm, saying, “If we in Men’s Wellness can’t get behind something like this, how can we expect anyone else to?”
To put my idea and my money where my mouth is, my fiancée, Amina, and I would like to invite you to come to our new home on Saturday, May 17, from 10 to noon and join us for brunch and a stimulating discussion. Our address is 828 Calle Coronado, SE, Albuquerque (in the Four Hills area). Call for directions and to RSVP at 883-4846 .
Hugs to you all and thanks for listening.
David Kuenzli
papadavid@zianet.com
