Chad Lewis Raising $10K on his GoFundMe.com for his 40th Birthday to Become an Interfaith Minister

Among the many wild or wonderful ways to celebrate turning another decade especially 40 (or 50), how many are pursuing new careers or life paths in ministry? How about promoting peace and healing as part of one's life work? Maybe it's fairly common to consider the Possibiity of doing so. Likely many volunteer in a soup kitchen or treat someone to dinner, make an effort to donate time, talent or treasure.

Taking a more serious step toward a public commitment and outreach is not for the faint of heart. Indeed it's a Big Heart Endeavor, particularly when the need seems to be growing and the resources dwindling. I have met Chad Lewis through a group of people looking to serve others at the challenging time of life, as End of Life Doulas and support people.

Check out www.doulagivers.com for some free introductory programs offered online and via the phone as well as some in-person. Opportunities to support that work are a click away. For your own health, take time to get rest, eat well, take a few walks, keep in touch with a friend, and see your doctor annually or so, eye docs and dentists too! For added peace, try to get your taxes done early and your Advance Directive done too (see www.nhdd.org for National Health Decisions Day info, April 16th annually.)

This amazing network of kind hearted, dedicated souls is rising like the mist after a storm to remind us of our shared humanity, to reflect on the difficulty any person and group of support people could face upon having a terminal illness or end stage of life approaching. In some respects, as I shared during with my hospice volunteer traning group, this is a bit of a luxury compared to those having a passing due to violence, a car accident or other type of sudden loss.

Everyone can be stunned and taken aback by those kinds of realities. It can be difficult to get past the details of what happened to a person and remember them as lively capable people who happened to 'exit in a  difficult fashion.' Still their soul I believe is okay, not unlike those who had a longer time to adjust to a transition.

Chad Lewis will likely be sharing with many people about ways to address these matters after his two year training in ministry. I have thought about doing such work as well, but for now am content to keep my life based with my natural community systems and share as I can on my blog here.

I also have a facebook page in memory of our teen son Kaelan Alexander Paton where I reflect on the seasons and years since his passing in 2009 in ways that promote safety and awareness of our shared growth and hope for a brighter future of health and teamwork. Thanks for donating to good people and causes as you can. A little can go a long way and sharing online multiplies that effect.

Celebrate the landmarks in your family's and community's circles. People taking trips and making progress in schools, newcomers being born and brought into one's life, and overall, seeing the world through new eyes with a sense of fair play and comaraderie with all who are pulling together to make the world a happier, kinder place. Thanks in advance and as spring rolls around, don't forget to take time to dance!