[KJW #105] ... and the WEL Better Ways Award of 2008 goes to

Vermont, USA: Garry Davis, 87, an activist elder and first world citizen, receives the WEL Better Ways Award of 2008 from
Kathy Ward, president of WEL, World Elder Land.



The Law of Love

WEL has chosen to honor the work and meaningful life of our Garry Davis because of his vision of a world without borders where all members of the human family can live together as citizens of planet Earth, serving and loving each other, in peace. National citizenship is exclusive. World citizenship is inclusive. In 1948 Garry renounced his U. S. citizenship and declared himself a world citizen and began a movement that now includes over 950.000 registered world citizens.

Also, because of the creation of a the World Passport, the World Identity Card, the World Birth Certificate, the World Marriage Certificate and the World Political Asylum Card.

Garry Davis is an inspiration to all of us. Garry has chosen a path of human service, peace and love for everyone. Garry, with an open mind and heart, has invested his life in the betterment of the life of others. On receiving the WEL Better Ways Award, Garry said he was amazed. "I never thought of myself as an elder. But the more I thought about it, I see the correlations between elders and the young. Elders are not just to be doted on and taken care of. It is our responsibility to protect our young people. We should be respected not only because we are old, but because we earn it with our contributions and life."


Our elders attending the program and with Garry Davis and Robin Lloyd. Special thanks to Robin Loyd, peace activist and Coordinator of the World Women's Commission, for her support facilitating the organization of this meaningful event in Vermont.


About the WEL Better Ways Award; it was created in 2005 to:

1. Acknowledge global meaningful, creative, and wholistic healing ways to facilitate a better quality of life for our elders and their care-givers.

2. Given to joyful elders that are an inspiration for other elders, their caregivers and their communities. An inspiration because they are an example of better and meaningful longevity.

3. Given also to people or institutions all over the world, that have made a difference facilitating healing, meaningful social support networks, community integration, care and all dimensions of wholistic health (whole-person-centered wellness for our elders and their caregivers)

4. Giving to elders or care-givers that foster and honor the rights of our elders. For truly listening and empowering our elders to be actively integrated in their process of betterment.

Previous recipients of the WEL Better Ways Award:

- Pastor and Musician, Dale Jarrett, Maryland, 2005
- Lawyer, 97, Irene Slattery, Texas, 2006
- Former Assistant Secretary General, United Nations,
Dr. Robert Muller, 86, Costa Rica, 2006
- Social Worker, 78, Aura Aguiar, Venezuela, 2007
- Ambassador and Singer Harry Belafonte, Jamaica, 2007
- Journalist, 88, Helen Thomas, Maryland, USA 2007

Chicago, USA: "Human Evolving vs. Aging" workshop presented by KJW at the 2008 International Convention of Women Educators.



Comments from the participants:

- I have learned in this workshop with Kathy that I can influence the quality of my life. I now know more about the power within to co-create wellness. I know I can design my life.

- Health is not outside of me. My mind and soul are instrumental to better my health.

- I love the concept of spiritual breakfast (gratitude and attitude to begin a day) and graduation day vs. death.

- The workshop has giving me the tools to improve areas of my life that have been neglected.

- What I liked the most of the program is the respect and affection that Kathy shows for elders. Also, not to waste time with negative people and negative situations.

- I have learned various things that I can do right away and others that I will do when I get home to start my own betterment. I like it because I feel empowered by learning how to start my own wellness plan.

- Kathy's teaching style is very humorous and yet delivery was in progression. She asked lots of questions to get thinking going.

- I love the way that Kathy explains how to activate the brain to form new neurons.

- When Kathy said, "Life mirrors the feelings within." , a lot of things started to make sense. I am using more healing words in my conversations.

- I never considered that the environment influences aging. Also my interaction with others and myself influences my aging. Excellent presentation!!!

- I can listen to you for six hours if I need to. Thank you for pulling it all together. How can I get copies of your books and CDs?

TO OBTAIN COPIES OF MY BOOKS PLEASE VISIT THE WEL STORE BY CLICKING HERE. YOU CAN PURCHASE THEM BY CREDIT CARD OR YOU CAN SEND AN E-MAIL TO connection@kathyjward.com

Article: Inspiring Global Service Organizations To Become Co-Creators of A Better World.

Connecting The Brain To The Heart...A First-Timer's Viewpoint
By Kathy J. Ward

My first time attending the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International Convention has been an unforgettable experience, both professionally and personally. But above all, it has been a meaningful experience from heart-to-heart. Yes, the brain produces excuses, but the heart sees beyond this and eliminates them.

At the the opening ceremony on Tuesday night, my brain acknowledged that the flags on stage were celebrating and representing the diversity and differences of the members of Delta Kappa Gamma in the world. However, over the span of four days, my heart did not stop listening and communicating because of the universal language of love within the hearts of all the delegates, speakers, musicians singers, volunteers and even the children's strolling string ensemble who performed for us at the closing ceremony. Our hearts and brains across generations and cultures were connected.

Everyone's kindness, feeling of friendship, understanding, cooperation, wisdom and passion helped me realize that we have already achieved world union. The human family has so much in common, so much to be grateful for, so much to share and to learn from each other.

The community of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, a multicolored fabric of women educators with happy hearts, is co-creating a better world for everyone--people, animals and nature.

Let's continue leading now--because NOW will not happen again.

WEL Global Networks and E-Mails Now Available (below). WEL Continues Facilitating Meaningful Social Support Networks For Elders and Care-Givers.

Please send inquiries, requests for programs, speaker and consulting services with WEL, World Elder Land or Kathy J. Ward to connection@kathyjward.com


Peace be with you!

Kathy J. Ward,
Universal Peace Ambassador,
Cercle Universel des Ambassadeurs de la Paix - Geneva Switzerland
President of WEL, World Elder Land
Holistic Health Practitioner and Consultant
Member NGO Committee on Aging, UN
President of ERT, Elder Recreation Therapy
Therapeutic Recreation Consultant
National Assisted Living Administrator Certified
Board Member, Activities, Adaptation and Aging Journal
Author
Love Ambassador - Florida, USA
Member of the World Poet Society - Greece
Ambassador of Happiness For Elders - Connecticut, USA
E-mail:    connection@KathyJWard.com

                  

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