Mumbai Spirit

One of the best parts of Votre Vray is that I get to meet wonderful people who are an inspiration to me and others no matter what may be happening in the world. One such woman is Dawn Clare of SPISE BLISS. Please read her message below and respond as you feel appropriate.
Remember, we create the world we elect to live in. Today, I join Dawn to elect to create a world of love.
-Mel.

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People light candles in the memory of Mumbai terror attack victims. (PTI)

I have a client, Saurabh, who lost a very good friend in the Mumbai attacks. Saurabh has had a tough year including losing his job at AIG and his father becoming ill. Luckily, he has a very loving family who is supporting him during this time; they also fully encourage him to pursue his dreams. Saurabh is a kind person. On his own, he remembered my birthday and ordered me a gift all the way from India. He wants to make the world a better place. I was invited to be in Mumbai last month. It could have been me sitting, laughing, enjoying a mango drink. That is true of every situation. We are all connected so it can be anyone ... and what we do to others, we are doing to ourselves.

In the spirit of Saurabh, his friend who passed, and the overall generous feeling of the holiday, I would like to reposition the Mumbai attacks into the MUMBAI SPIRIT. Please do something kind this holiday season; an act which supports the bliss, love and abundance of someone else. A friend in need is a friend for that time but a friend who supports another in love, bliss, peace, harmony, abundance, success and wealth is a friend for eternity; the more we support the latter, the less that times of need happen for people. Saurabh is able to cope with this challenging situation because he has those in his life who reaffirm him and help him a carve a path to his dreams on a daily basis. Let these values be those of the MUMBAI SPIRIT. If you are not sure what to do, then ask a friend or loved one how you can help him/her.

To start you off with an idea - today, unsolicited, I gave a person a recommendation/direct connection for clients for their business. With my support this person may be able to get through serious red tape. However, it is me and all of us who get so much back in return. When we help someone be on their bliss line/lfe's purpose, then of course, we spread the energy of love and happiness, and the whole world is a wonderful place.

A special meditation for those souls who every day sacrifice their human lives so that the rest of us can understand that the primary sustainable path is peace, and not violence.

Please pass this email to interested parties. Let's spread love around the world!

Have a blissful day,

Dawn

The Bliss Guide

SPISE BLISS

dawn@spisebliss.com

www.spisebliss.com

"Do what you love, be with those you love, and your whole life falls into Bliss." D. T. Clare

Where is Your Head Today? With the Government, Your Art or Both?

For the past several days, many people I love and admire have only been talking about the "bailout bill" and if it will pass, should it pass, who is responsible, etc.

Dawn Clare of Spise Bliss said she believed one line said by most CEOs who are part of the economic chaos would help, "As CEO of X, I vow to take a $1 salary until...." 

Chris Nandell of Boshevo sent out letters to the press that she had heard the Orphan Works Act was being pinned onto the bailout bill, and she was angry. Chris has been ripped off once by someone mis-using her work without consent (a.k.a. copyright infringement) and fears the Orphan Works Act will make it easier for people to rip her and other artists off.

I state here, for transparency, that my parents and sister have the last name Leahy. My dad was born in Vermont. That means we're distantly related to Senator Leahy. I've never met the man but worked with several who not only know him, but know him well. He is closely linked with the Orphan Works bill and my take is that the bill is more for those of us who have done due diligence and cannot find the creator of the work...especially old work as found in archives. I will never be for privatizing of all copyright databases, and the wording of the bill is not for it either, from what I have seen. As an artist, I believe we all need to make sure we list our names and claim ownership of our work. Then, we can address issues of infringement legally. (This bill still allows us to continue to do so, but not claim outrageous/disproportionate sums in court.)

Please look at both of these bills for yourself. Links to their full text appears below. I know it is easy for your heart to override your head and react with fear. To that, I leave this quote: 

"Fear is the path to the dark side. 

Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, 

hate leads to suffering." 

- Yoda

May your life NOT be filled with fear, anger, hate or suffering. My you do your art and share it endlessly (with full credit noted and given when due). It is my wish in the Jewish New Year to wish that we are reap blessings today, tomorrow and always. L'Shana Tova.

Until Next Time,

Keep Creating!

-Mel.

Bailout Bill Full Text

(Courtesy of the Huffington Post)

Orphan Works Act Full Text

Copyright office's Take on the Orphan Works Act

From Corporate Fast Track to Natural Arts and Healing Path

The following is and excerpt of an interview from Dawn Clare, www.spisebliss.com, conducted by Mel. Edwards for the Votre Vray Creative Women project.

What would you do if you were on the fast track to CEO, Harvard MBA under your belt and full of energy? Would you honor your creative gifts outside the boardroom? Imagine for a moment, impact of metal on bone, and flesh, pain and your vehicle is demolished beyond recognition. Regardless of your fast track reality, just moments ago, you’re now immobile, allergic to pain killers, trapped in a brace – and you’ll stay that way for months. Do you dream of returning to corporate America? Or does the muse haunt your dreams?

Before Dawn Clare’s accident four years ago, she knew she was creative and had healing skills. An Indian shaman had shared his awareness of her gifts with her more than 10 years earlier. After the crash, “my gifts are now at a higher level,” Dawn admits. She’s helped parents previously unable to conceive find their truth in the process. Some have walked away knowing parenthood wasn’t what they wanted after all, and perhaps had blocked all along. Others, who had wanted to be parents most sincerely, now are.

Dawn says, “People are often afraid about their life gifts. I say, be open internally about what your gifts are, and what they are not. Once you understand that, it (your truth) becomes your anchor. If you have a core passion, your truth will come from it. No one can tell you what it is. Go internally to find your truth. Then find people who support it and they will become relationship anchors.” Her mantra? “Do what you love, be with those you love, and the rest of your life falls into bliss!”

What is her artistic passion? “Sunsets. To me, they are nature’s smiles.” Dawn began taking sunset photos from the same location each week for over a year. “I now have over 2000 sunset photos,” she beams. From what I can tell, she has every reason to smile back at Mother Nature, night after night.
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You can find more information about Dawn Clare and see her sunset photos via her website: www.spisebliss.com