‘I wear it all the time. At any time in the day I can feel the bead with my fingers and it reminds me of what else is going on the world. Someone I love has dementia. The thread is a way of making connections, of making real the compassion that is necessary for us to thrive. With that sense of the relatedness of all life, I can then get on with what I am doing’.
Tim D
'I find myself moved to tears as I settle into the notion of what is happening. I also feel saddened by my own unwillingness to sit for a moment with the hard facts of the world. It seems so sad it requires a reminder. So, a simple red bead on a black thread would help I think. It would help me. I would wear one every day. And if I looked down, or found myself fiddling with it, I might just stop and take a moment and be willing to be present. This has a cost. You will, without fail, make contact with the hard fact that you will never be able to give enough to end this. The other path we take is just not to think about it. This is what most people do. This is what I mostly do'
Kelly Wilson co-founder of ACT
Thought on a Thread - Supporting action - facilitating connection
mindfulness project offering support to communities in South Africa affected by HIV/Aids
Thought on a Thread has been set up to:
• facilitate connection between those who have HIV/Aids and those who want to offer their support • share simple mindfulness practices with people with HIV/Aids and those offering their support • send funds to community support HIV/Aids projects like Woza Moya
The red bead on the black thread invites us all to:
• breathe and be present - here and now
• connect with people affected by HIV/Aids and offer them our kind thoughts and good wishes
Many mindfulness teachers are now offering threads to participants in 8 week MBA courses as reminders to ‘come back’ and be present. The link with South Africa and an invitation to connect via the bead on the thread and send good wishes and kind thoughts is valued by many people. What if our compassion is as helpful as giving money?
See website link below if you would like to order threads for yourself.
Links
Woza Moya Project, providing quality community care and support to people infected and affected HIV and Aids in Ufafa region of KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. www.wozamoya.org.za
Thought on a Thread, a mindfulness project offering support to communities affected by HIV and Aids in South Africa. www.thoughtonathread.co.uk
