Hope is a Game Changer

"Hope is the most important thing that people need to move forward. The slightest ray of hope can ignite the human spirit's ability to overcome: The Power of the Invisible Sun." - Bobby Sager

Chronicle Books and photographer/philanthropist Bobby Sager has released an amazingly moving photographic journey into the lives of children living in the most war-torn areas of the world. The pictures include refugees, orphans, child soldiers, and just plain children living among things that no child should have to deal with. The great part about this book is that all proceeds will go towards the Hope is a Game Changer-Project, making it a tangible way to begin delivering hope. At the end of the book, Bobby asks, "Now what?" He asks with hope that you will do something...and that something is "not to feel sorry for them, but to take strength from their strength, feel more thankful in your own life, and find ways to give others hope, by giving something of yourself."

So, I asked myself - what can I do? My answer...I'll start in my own community. Reading about how Bobby has brought a bit of hope and peace into the lives of children around the world through the Hope is a Game Changer-Project, has inspired me to bring a bit of focus on PEACE into the Yoga Classroom this weekend. Why not start with the children right under your nose? The children of today are the ones who will become the leaders of tomorrow. Instill peace in them now and it will make a world of difference.

For my 8-12 year old students, I've decided that now is the perfect time to introduce the Yamas. The first one, Ahimsa - non-violence, peacefulness towards others and yourself. Dakiniyogini at Shanti Generation, recently noticed that many of her students having been doting the peace sign on their clothes, bags, key chains...it's become one of the latest trends. She asked her students if they wore the peace sign as a trendy fashion statement or if they really believed in peace as a way of being. It's the perfect question to bring up to a tween to get them thinking about what peace really means and what they can do to make a difference. It all starts with baby steps.

"Giving someone hope is the ultimate concrete baby step." - Bobby Sager