Soul Energy

06/02/2024

One of the things I have always loved about living in Chicago all of my life is the random city art. The creative ways, and spaces, where people can make statements. Having a voice... and having the courage to use it in a peaceful way.

This alley is not on a major street. And yet, as if on cue, in the 2 minutes I took to snap a few photos, an Arab Muslim woman walked by... and then a white man in a wheelchair passed... and as I crossed the street to my car, a black woman in African dress went into the apartment building.

THIS is America.
THIS is what Memorial Day is all about... what men and women sacrificed their lives to provide... this precious gift of liberty... the freedom to BE.

As I reflect on liberty, key words come to mind...
Diversity. Freedom. Courage. Sacrifice.
These are powerful words. The foundation of what it means to be American.

Our country is at a crossroads... there is a big difference between patriotism and nationalism. And the difference makes these identities mutually exclusive. True patriotism defends diversity, the freedom to BE. The bedrock of our national identity. Nationalism, at its core, rejects "otherness" instead of embracing and celebrating our differences as proof that the American experiment works.

But this liberty is something that each generation must choose to embrace. It is guaranteed in words... but it must be protected in actions. The action of having the courage to open our hearts.

May we have the courage to make a conscious choice to reject fear, anger, hatred, darkness. To have the compassion to reject relegating anyone to "otherness"...
May we all have the integrity to embrace the beauty and humanity of American diversity. May we reject separation and choose, instead, the courage to see the Oneness in each of our sparks of the Divine.

The quote on the wall is from
President John F. Kennedy.
The full text below gives a little more context.
These are the words of a leader.
These are the words of true strength.

"And if we cannot end now our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity. For, in the final analysis, our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this small planet. We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children's future. And we are all mortal."
--"Commencement Address at American University in Washington, D.C. (232)," June 10, 1963, Public Papers of the Presidents: John F. Kennedy, 1963.

01/14/2024

EMERGENCY WARMING CENTERS:

Harold Washington Library at 400 S. State St lower level is open as a 24/7 warming center for those in need during extreme cold.

Garfield Community Center at 10 S Kedzie open 6A-5P as warming center Sun 1/14 & Mon 1/15 & open 24/7 for shelter placement.

12/23/2023

What used to be a corner store near me years ago has been inhabited for quite awhile by people who make good use of the large storefront windows. All year 'round they find creative ways to make powerful statements that are always centered in love.

In the evening, this display has beautiful multi-colored lights that fade in and out in a gentle way that complements this message.

To me, the starkness of the daytime display is even more powerful. The message is simply black and white. That's it. Period. And the "one way" sign pointing to it tells us all we need to know.

There are many narratives in this world and voices that tell us all the reasons why things are so complicated. But I believe sometimes the truth is quite simple. When the desire for peace reaches critical mass, then peace will be.

Yes, the truth is quite simple... peace starts in our hearts. And the actions that each of us take when our hearts are open will create peace.

May we all find ways each and every day to continually open our hearts so that critical mass will happen. And as peace continues to grow... peace will BE.

And so it is...
💜✨️

12/22/2022

CHIBIZ: Garfield Warming Center, 10 S. Kedzie open 24/7. Call 311 to find other warming centers, connect with shelters or request well-being checks.

08/24/2021

Great virtual Reiki Share tonight! Thanks to all who participated. If you are interested in learning Reiki... contact me for class information...
~ Mary Ellen

08/03/2021

Melissa Hernandez is a friend of mine. She is the very definition of "paying it forward". Having been through things many people will (fortunately) never be able to imagine... She is HANDS ON in her service to people. Starting and running her own nonprofits while working for human services orgs... She wears so many hats and does SO MUCH it makes me dizzy just to think about it.

Melissa is involved in all aspects... Not just the worker showing up to deliver food to people or the person in the office getting the money and making it happen... She is ALL OF THAT... Working more than full time then preparing meals at home for distribution at night to the forgotten ones... Going to the homeless enclaves under viaducts and in those places many people will never venture. Plus a long list of other services... Sometimes being paged in the middle of the night to go serve as an advocate in certain situations... Mel is an extraordinary woman...

If you have ever made a donation and wondered how much of it was really going toward the bottom line cause... I can tell you that Mel knows how to make things happen. Every penny donated will be used appropriately.

It was difficult enough for the homeless to shower and wash clothes before the pandemic... But since the pandemic it is even harder... Many park field houses are closed and life has changed. But even in the best of times, this mobile unit is very needed. Hell, we really need these all over the city... And I am sure if we help Melissa get one... She will probably be the person to make that happen.

Please click the link to read Melissa's own words... ..then donate whatever you can.
Every dollar helps.
Thank you 🙏

Hi, my name is Melissa Hernandez, the founder of the Puerto Rico Project! I am also a member of … Melissa Hernandez needs your support for Mobile Shower Unit

02/01/2021

THE GREATER CHICAGO FOOD DEPOSITORY
is Chicago’s food bank.

The Food Depository acts as the hub for a network of more than 700 food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters and other programs throughout Cook County.

If you are able to donate... any amount helps.
https://www.chicagosfoodbank.org/financial-support/

If you would like to volunteer...
https://www.chicagosfoodbank.org/volunteer/

IF YOU NEED FOOD... CLICK THE LINK BELOW FOR A MAP TO FIND A FREE FOOD PANTRY NEAR YOU.
https://www.chicagosfoodbank.org/find-food/

Good energy and health to all as we get through these challenges together as a community.

~ Mary Ellen 💜

Find food programs in Chicago and Cook County. Food pantries, soup kitchens and mobile programs have free food. Search the map to find food near you.

12/21/2020

On Dec. 21, a bright "Christmas star" will appear in the night sky – something that hasn’t happened in nearly 800 years. - Videos from The Weather Channel | weather.com

11/24/2020

Hope you will join us at 7pm for MRC's 4th Monday Reiki Share...

Our ONLINE Reiki Share is a great way to connect and experience distance Reiki in action! If you have never taken a Reiki class... you are welcome to attend one Reiki Share to get a feel for Reiki. Future attendance will require completing a Reiki 1 class.

If you are Level 1... this will be an opportunity for you to tap into your inherent distance Reiki skills prior to your level 2 attunement.

We have reduced the suggested donation to $6. This contribution is an exchange for service and helps us continue our work... but nobody is turned away for lack of funds... If you feel called to give and receive Reiki... or just to check it out... please join us...

PAYMENT OPTIONS:
(Zelle is the preferred payment method.)
ZELLE: Send any amount through your bank to: Soul.Energy@mail.com

PAYPAL: Any amount to: www.paypal.me/SoulEnergyLLC

TO ATTEND SHARE:
Click here to join this Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82855213060...

If you have any trouble with the above link...
simply go to www.zoom.us
Click "Join a Meeting" and enter the following information:
Meeting ID: 828 5521 3060
Passcode: 870033

Looking forward to sharing with you!

~ Mary Ellen

Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise video communications, with an easy, reliable cloud platform for video and audio conferencing, chat, and webinars across mobile, desktop, and room systems. Zoom Rooms is the original software-based conference room solution used around the world in board, confer...

11/02/2020

Do you know there are 18 states (including Illinois) and DC with same day/election day registration?

If you are not registered and you can... Please register and vote Biden/Harris to prevent corporations from polluting our land air water and food. To bring decency back. For a $15 minimum wage which is proven to bolster the economy. For systemic change to address racial injustice. For the sake of our health and our economy. For millions of new jobs including green initiatives. For good union jobs. To restore the protection for pre-existing condition that this lopsided supreme court will surely take away next week. To protect the constitution from people who have the nerve to wave our country's flag while doing the most un-American thing... trying to suppress your vote and your voice. Don't let them.
Choose a brighter tomorrow.
Say no to hate. Choose love.
Please choose Biden/Harris
for the soul of this nation.
Thank you. 🙏

https://www.voteamerica.com/election-day-registration/

https://joebiden.com/joes-vision/

Election Day Registration information in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.