love infinitely

Hello!

My name is Danielle, and I have the amazing opportunity to share with you a cause that holds a special place in my heart. But first! A little background… I was first introduced to Brenda, as her teaching assistant for a Jazz II class. And the rest is history! We became fast friends and quickly bonded over three common denominators; dance, tattoos, and animals. It was her never-ending compassion for all beings, that inspired me to become a vegetarian, and begin giving back to those who could not speak for themselves. But there were so many different (and equally important) causes out there, that choosing an organization to work with became a daunting task. Until Brenda offered to take me to the California Sea Shepherd headquarters in Venice Beach.

It was easy for me to fall in love with Sea Shepherd. As a huge fan of the Animal Planet sensation Whale Wars, I thought I knew what Sea Shepherd was all about. When in reality I knew very little. I had no idea what to expect when I first stepped inside headquarters. Brenda had invited my sister and I to come to a Whale Wars screening party to experience Sea Shepherd, and to help brainstorm fundraising ideas with Grace Ko, the head of the Sea Shepherd California chapter. Almost immediately, I knew that I wanted to be a part of Sea Shepherd. All I could think was; where do I sign up? After all, these were my people! Finally people who were just as passionate about wildlife as I was! People wanting to help, and willing to do just about anything to make a real impact on the health of our oceans and its creatures. I can honestly say that I was seconds away from asking; where have you been all my life?

After the screening I began researching all things Sea Shepherd related. Each campaign sparked an interest; Blue Fin Tuna, Harp Seals, Dolphins, Sea Turtles, Sea Sponges, Whales, devastation in the Gulf… If there is a species in crisis, Sea Shepherd is there to save the day. And not save the day with a giant check worth an x amount of dollars. No. There they are on the front lines of this “battle” to save our seas. From the icy waters of Antarctica to the tropical Galapagos Islands, these people are indeed “defending ocean wildlife worldwide”. So I knew it was my turn to do my part, I became an on shore volunteer. I signed up on the website (SeaShepherd.org) and then went to a new volunteer orientation meeting, at headquarters in Venice Beach. After the meeting, I felt well equipped and well-informed to go out into the world and share with anyone willing (and sometimes even not willing) to listen. Nevertheless, I had a new-found need to tell anyone about the incredible philosophies of this fantastic organization. If me telling strangers about the importance of oceanic wildlife is going to help somebody save an innocent creatures’ life, then I am more than willing to shout all about Sea Shepherd from mountain tops.

It is so simple. All it takes is the right information, the right cause, and the right action to truly make a difference in this world. And I firmly believe that Sea Shepherd Conservation Society is that difference that this world has looked for. A passionate group of people who are actively seeking and provoking a change for the better. Making people review the way they see animal rights and protection, and making people change the way they see compassion for ALL BEINGS. After all compassion is infectious. Hopefully in time, the oceans and their wildlife will return to full health, and I am sure that the Sea Shepherd will be responsible for that victory.

Both the Love Infinitely Project and Sea Shepherd have been extremely inspiring for me. I hope that you have found both inspiring also! I have learned a lot from both, but I think my experience can all be summarized into one phrase. ALWAYS give love AND create change.

~Danielle

  Follow Danielle on Twitter: @MissDani_Bee

*Editor’s note:  Danielle was the first person to hear the plan for the Love Infinitely Project!

I created the love infinitely symbol in spring of 2009.  I was reading Rob Brezsney’s book, Pronoia.  The book is a wacky, spiritual work-book with a bunch of activities in it.  You are encouraged to write all over your book.   So I did.  Even on the pages that didn’t have an activity, I was still writing and doodling all over them.

I don’t remember anymore if it was an actual assignment from the book, but I gave myself the challenge of coming up with the new peace sign.  Not that there is anything wrong with the old peace sign.  Just thought it was time for an update.  So, all over pages 32 and 33 I started doodling, an infinity logo with a heart in it.  There are about 18 attempts.  Some have the heart at the center, some have it just off to the side and some even tried to incorporate the sun into it.  (Those got X-ed out!)  Then there is the logo you see today, circled with a check mark next to it.

I have to add, that on page 32, the first paragraph is this:

“I have a dream that in the New World, there will be a new Bill of Rights.  The first amendment will be, ‘Your daily wage is directly tied to how much beauty and truth and love you provide.’”

I suppose someday I’ll have to find Rob and thank him personally for the book that inspired me to create the symbol.  Though for a very long time it was just something that was personal to me.  I got it tattooed on my birthday of that year and it has been my signature ever since.

People often ask me what the symbol means and quite honestly, it has a million different meanings to me.  But I guess the most basic answer is it means the love you put out you get back.  It may take some time and come back in a different form, but it always comes back.  What you put out into the Universe will come back to you.  Which shows that giving and receiving are the same.

There are more meanings like, love is infinite.  You can keep giving love away and it never diminishes.  To me it’s also a very simple physics equation.  The answer to the TOE, Theory of Everything  (If you know me, you know I LOVE science!)  It has to do with quantum mechanics and classical physics co-existing or rather how they were never meant to.

Mix the ‘love is infinite’ meaning with the scientific theory and you get my view on the Universe.  That what creates it, is love.  At the center of everything, the power behind all of creation, is love.  Love is all there is.  Love is all that we are.  Where we came from and where we go back to.   The answer to every question.  Even scientific ones.

♥∞

~B

  Follow B on Twitter: @iamsunshine78

Several months ago, my best friend Noelle and I stayed up late talking about relationships, change, growing up, the Universe, and love. As most of our conversations go, we dreamed about a simple life where the world was balanced, where my thoughts and words were heard, and where we felt like we were apart of change. And then I had a thought – I think we’re on to something good. I wasn’t sure what was going to happen, but I could feel the Universe shifting in our favor. I knew that good things were on the way.

Fast forward a bit, and pause on the day that Noelle sent me the most amazing gift in the mail – an antique locket from the Love Infinitely Etsy shop, with the words ‘Hold Space’ inscribed on the inside. On that particular day, I needed that message more than ever and I felt as if things were finally falling into place. What is ‘love infinitely’? Who is this person quoting Joyologist Tricia Huffman’s wise words? How can I get in touch with them?  It wasn’t soon before long that Noelle and Brenda became instant friends, exchanging their stories and folding me into their newly connected circle.

After hearing about Brenda’s mission to give, spread love, and find herself in the process, I had found the community that I had been actively seeking for all along. I’m Stephanie, and along with Noelle I will be representing the East Coast Love Infinitely Project, and I couldn’t be more excited to share this adventure with all of you!

As we voyage into this journey together, I have rekindled that same feeling that I did several months ago as Noelle and I shared our dreams and goals – we’re on to something good – and I couldn’t be happier.

Stephanie…x

Follow Stephanie on Twitter: @soulrebelx