PSALMS

    Hallelujah
Praise G-d in His sanctuary;
    praise Him in the sky, His stronghold.
Prasie Him for His mighty acts;
    praise Him for His exceeding greatness.
Praise Him with blasts of the horn;
    praise him with harp and lyre.
Praise Him with timbrel and dance;
    praise Him with Lute and pipe.
Praise Him with resounding cymbols;
    praise Him with loud-clashing cymbols.
Let all that breathes praise the Lord.
    Hallelujah

The Baal Or Tov, the Master of the Good Light wrote :

To the open sea, to the open sea.
May G-d magnify my soul...
That it may never be enclosed in a prison,
Neither material nor spiritual.
My soul is like a ship,
under the expanse of the heavens.
The walls of my heart cannot contain it.
Nor can those which are made
Those of morality, of politeness
The soul surpasses all this and flies away...
It is above everything that one can name
Above all pleasure
Everything that is pleasant and beautiful
It transcends that which is exalted.
O my G-d, may your help come to me in my pain
Give me a tongue and an expression
Together I shall speak my truth and your own.

Pre Stem Summer Science,Literacy and Math Camp

Project Uplift Tampa, Inc. will target and serve youth living in a high crime neighborhood of Pinnellas County. This neighborhood is known as North Greenwood (33755). The neighborhood Community Center is a nucleus of the neighborhood and a natural gathering place for adults and youth. Many community agencies provide services out of this site because of the accessibility(within walking distance to many of the homes). There are mostly African American families, youth from this group tend to be over represented in the juvenile justice system as well as at risk for failure in the school system. To get a quick peek of last years camp look on U-Tube , Projectuplift39

This is the 5th year of Pre-Stem Science,literacy and Math skill Camp. The Program will serve 75 youth ages 6-12. The youth will participate in academic tutoring and life skills programming three times a week for one-half hours per day.  Academic tutoring will be provided by endorsed science,reading and math teachers, adult and high school volunteers. Volunteers will be screened. Our Goal is to have a 5 to1 ratio.  Life Skills groups will focus on commitment to character, on cultural diversity, substance abuse, building a value system, self esteem and good decision making.


The program will see the following objectives (directly related to goals above);

95 % of program participants will not be involved in juvenile delinquent activities while in the program.

70% of programming participants receiving tutoring will either maintain their average GPA or will increase if it is below average in core academic courses while in the program

70% of program participants will either maintain or improve school attendance while in the program

90% of program participants will be able to identify adult role models and support persons.


Pre-Stem has expanded to 75 clients. Project Uplift is currently seeking funding to make it a year round program with teamsports, acting/ modeling programming to be added.

7 points of Mind Training

As I have traveled this world I have come to the conclusion it is all about peace ! How do we find it ? Here are some words that might direct you to open that most important inner door !

1. Consider everything a dream
2. Be grateful to everyone
3. Do not be swayed by outer circumstances
4. Do not brood over the faults of others
5. Explore the nature of unborn awareness
6. At all times, simply rely on a joyfulmind
7. Do not expect a standing ovation

"We must become members of a new race overcoming petty prejudice, owing our ultimate allegiance not to nations but to our fellow men within the Human Community."

Haile Selassie

Love Unconditionally

What does it mean to love unconditionally? How many people do you love conditionally. In our materialistic society we are always confronted with the quick pro quo ! I say I love him or her, until he loses his job. Or until she turns 30 and I will upgrade to a younger , prettier model . Thank G-d for children, because personally, they have guided me to love them no matter what they do ! Of course it is my job to help them make better choices . Through doing that I noticed somethings about myself ! To be a good parent I have to change for the better ! Do as I say not as I do , was a favorite line of mine ! I felt comfortable for a while saying it ! Once the kids started to mature I figured out that actions speak alot louder then words. So I tried to set an example to increase the chances of my children actually listening to me . I became a better person ! I started to look who were my true friends or who were just there for convenience. Then something dawned on me , Do I offer to help when an opportunity presents itself or do I just keep quiet ! Do I give positive, truthful comments on the good things people are doing or am I always tearing people down , so I feel better ! The old Michael Jackson Song, "Man in the Mirror," was not feeling to pretty ! I decided to change, slowly of course. Deep seated habits that have been ingrained for years are very difficult to change at once. The first thing I did was to make time every morning and read something uplifting and a list of positive mantras. This proactive behavior has helped me start the day in a positive way . It also has made me more aware of how I react in certain situations and that is the first step for change, AWARENESS. Now, through my children and my true friends, I am evolving , evolving to what ? As a direct result of my thinking then choices, I am relearning to Love myself Unconditionally ! Praise Yah ! How have your children helped you become a better person ?

Equanimity

A story from an ancient Jewish text in the Talmud. Once a person seeking enlightenment came to a Rabbi and asked what else he needed to be closer with Shekhina(holy spirit). The Rabbi asked him, " when someone gives you a compliment what feelings are invoked? " The student of awareness said, he enjoyed the compliment. Then the Rabbi asked him, "what he felt when someone insulted him?"
The young man said that it hurt his feelings but that he did not wish ill will towards the speaker. The Rabbi told him , "you will be closer to the light when a compliment and insult will not cause any reaction, then you will know that you have overcome the barrier between Nefesh and Rauch." Specifically, your ego is diminished and more light can flow into the soulplace that one time the ego had mostly occupied. EGO (Eease G-d Out): this concept leads to the question where is G-d ? She is where you let her in ! Shalom