Imagine, focus, intend and be inspired by a message from Yoko Ono Lennon and Amnesty International

Image from Amnesty International

Not so long ago, I attended an event where Therese Rein, the wife of Australia’s Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, was the guest of honor. The event was the launch of the project, Common Ground, for the homeless here in Brisbane.

I would love to tell you more about that project, inspired by its parent project of the same name in New York but I best leave it for another post as I really have a different agenda for this one :)

One of the things that Therese Rein shared with those present was this rather extraordinary piece of information. At least it was to those present for there was a collective gasp when we heard it. What was it?

Apparently, in the US, for every 70 cents given in donation, the US government provides a dollar, yes $1 in tax refund! Now if that isn’t an incentive to donate…!

So, why am I mentioning this? Well, for one thing, I know that many of my readers are from the US. I also know that people, given the opportunity and the ease of means, will want to help those in need. And today, having received an email from Amnesty International featuring a message from Yoko Ono Lennon, I am inviting all my readers, wherever you are, to pause for a moment and consider if Yoko’s message might inspire you to donate to Amnesty International. I’m including her message below.

Her message, sent via Amnesty International, has this important time-sensitive incentive:

Give by September 30th and your tax-deductible donation will be matched dollar-for-dollar by a generous donor.

Before I leave you with Yoko’s message, I must say this: There are parts of her message and messages from Amnesty International in general that carry the spirit of ‘combat’ such as ‘fighting against injustice’ and ‘fighting for human rights’ etc.

It would seem as if such a spirit is in direct opposition to the kind of attention, energy and focus that I advocate, as for example, in my last post. It raises an important question in my mind. Perhaps it’s a question that you too may be grappling with:

Am I working against what I want (i.e. peace) by supporting Amnesty International in its many and varied ‘battles’?

My answer is this: It is a matter of focus, attention and clarity of intent.

In my case, I am perfectly clear about my intention for peace in the hearts and minds of everyone, without exception, whether so-called ‘victim’ or ‘perpetrator’. And it is on the peace within me that I focus and give attention to. And it is out of this state of mind, of consciousness, that I offer whatever support I can offer, in whatever way I can offer it.

As a result, there is no energy, mindset or consciousness of ‘battle’ or ‘pushing against’ in my thought, feeling or action.

And so, in that consciousness and energy of peace, joy, prosperity, grace and freedom, I invite you to read Yoko Ono Lennon’s message below and take whatever action you’re inspired to take.

Love always

Lucy

Awakening to Happiness, Prosperity and Freedom!


	Dear Lucy, You and I share a passion for peace and justice – and a commitment to helping Amnesty International stand up for humanity and human rights. That’s why I’m writing to ask you to help Amnesty reach a vitally important goal of 10,000 membership donations in the month of September. Please contribute by the September 30th deadline and your gift will be matched dollar-for-dollar by a generous donor. Give $50 and Amnesty will get $100. Give $100 and Amnesty will get $200—it’s that simple. What I respect most about Amnesty International is that it is a movement of ordinary people who understand how much good we can do in the world by joining together and standing up for what we believe in. Amnesty leads a movement that produces extraordinary results. Prisoners of conscience are freed. Death sentences are commuted. Torturers are brought to justice. Governments are persuaded to stop their human rights abuses. I know you share Amnesty’s vision of a world in which every person enjoys all of the human rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Make a gift to Amnesty International today. If you sign up by September 30th – your donation will automatically be doubled!
	I’m especially proud of the way Amnesty stands up for people like Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi, who has once again been unjustly sentenced by a repressive regime that has detained her under house arrest for most of the last two decades. Heroes like her inspire me to keep up the fight for justice. Hundreds of other peaceful people are wrongly imprisoned in Myanmar, and they all need our help. Please join me in supporting Amnesty International. You will be standing up for human rights anywhere and everywhere they are threatened. And through this one simple act, we really can make the world a better place. All my best, Yoko Ono Lennon