I promised to come back to you with how I managed to pull Enchantment from my visit to New Orleans. As I told you 85% of the city, according to the tour I took, is still basically out of commission. That is an amazing amount of space and people's lives disrupted. Where did I find hope and encouragement? Here is one example. I was talking to a woman who was in the Convention Center for four days during the hurricane. She awoke one morning after a fitful sleep to find the young woman near her who had two baby twins sleeping with her had died during the night-most properly of dehydration. One of the babies had died also. How did this woman go on after living through those days where the world left so many abandoned? Yet she has and her energy gave me hope and energy. She shared with me how she and her family have stayed together, how they go to church every week and pray fervently to God. She held my hand as I started to cry and reminded me of God's great love for us. I felt she had touched my heart and helped me to have more courage. What a gift she gave me! Now what could I possibly do for her? That is a question I am still trying to answer.

The Enchanted Self 
Visits New Orleans Part II
The New Orleans Zoo

I promised to tell you about the zoo animals in New Orleans. Actually, they did well during the hurricane. Our guide, Joe, told us that none were lost due to the care of the zoo keepers who stayed with them during the worst days. However, later on, after the crisis, the animals became very lethargic and just lay down and slept. Finally, someone cued them in that the animals were depressed. Why? Well they missed the visitors. The zoo was just too quiet. After that, volunteers were encouraged to come to the zoo after hours and soon the animals were up and about. They just needed company and I imagine, purpose, from their perspective. Things we all need!

Read Part II
Read Part I

Many of you may wonder why a psychologist would bother designing necklaces. Yes, I played jewelry store with my mom as a child and that is part of the story as to why I so enjoy sharing these necklaces with you. But there is more to it. I have worn an Enchanted Self necklace every day for over a year now. There is really something special about wearing the necklace. First of all I feel 'dressed'. It reminds me that I am not just hanging out in anything. No matter what I am doing each day, I have a finished look. I may not have the best hair day. I may not have had time to put on make-up. I may be even grabbing the same clothes I wore yesterday. But I have my Enchanted Self necklace on. I am able to make my statement to the world: I am special-one of a kind. I have a heart-can't you see ? I have energy-the spiral of life is always with me. And I have something delightful to not only look at but to touch. And touch I do. I find myself enjoying the smooth glass heart and the sterling silver spiral. They seem to enhance my sense of well-being as I play with them. I thought you might enjoy hearing about me and my relationship to my necklaces! What is yours? 
Please write in and share.

"Don't ask yourself what the world needs - 
ask yourself what makes you come
alive, and then go do it. Because what 
the world needs is people who have
come alive." ~ Harold Thurman Whitman

Be A Good-Digger

When you come into contact with another person, make a special effort to see their virtues. 

Not only look for good points, but try to genuinely feel pleasure in discovering a new virtue in someone. A person who masters this trait lives in an entirely different world than someone who lacks it. Everyone he meets has positive elements that he notices, and hence he will show honor and respect to everyone. 


Quoted from: (Alai Shur, vol. 1, p.119; Rabbi Pliskin's Gateway to Happiness, p. 139)