This newsletter involves two features, one dealing with this week's incredible tragedy and how it relates to our work at World Tai Chi & Qigong Day, and the other is a global celebration we invited all to be a part of to envision a new future for humanity.

A VISION FOR THE FUTURE:

Like the rest of the world, we at WorldTaiChiDay.org, were deeply saddened this week with the tragic events at the elementary school in Connecticut. This event was heartbreaking beyond description. It was very difficult for me to work through my heartbreak and face writing a newsletter with hope.

It is important to keep the world in perspective. According to statistics violent crime has been going down in the United States steadily for decades, and research shows that the entire planet is less violent now than at any time in human history.

However, heart rending sorrow over such events is natural and right. The Dalai Lama said that tears of compassion feed the well of hope. Let's let our tears feed a well of hope in our actions this year.

World Tai Chi & Qigong Day's mission has been to connect people around the planet to envision en masse a future of health & healing. Our global events held on the last Saturday of April each year educate millions around the planet on mind-body health.

In 2013 we will also invoke a mass effort launching a petition to the White House to begin integrating mind-body practices like Tai Chi and Qigong, proven to reduce the incidence of anxiety, depression, and mood disturbance, into public education in the United States. Our hope is that eventually this model, once inacted will inspire other nations worldwide to begin similar projects.

The wave of mass shootings in the United States were all perpetrated by individuals suffering from mood disturbance and depression. Integrating mind-body education into public education, through a one-hour per day, five days a week phys-ed or health education class, would create an entire generation of mind-body masters in 12 years. The health benefits on all levels, including mental health, would be substantial.

We will announce the coming Whitehouse Petition Drive early in 2013. It will require 25,000 signitures in a very short time period in order to get to the President's desk, so we hope you'll consider ways you can spread it throughout the healing and mind-body networks you may be a part of, so when we launch it, it can aquire the needed number of signatures.


 

"Alone we can do so little ... together ... so much."

-- Helen Keller


 

THIS WEEK! A CELEBRATION OF REBIRTH:

On December 22, 2012 there will be Birth 2012 events held worldwide to celebrate the future of humanity! You can be a part of it. Events can be as simple as you meditating or doing tai chi, qigong, yoga, prayer, sacred dance, etc. in your living room. You can video tape your participation in whatever form it takes and post it on The Shift Network's website under Birth 2012 Events.

And at 12/22/2012 Happy Birthday Earth Party! A New Beginning:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/events/504222159612242/

Last week this global wave of events was kicked off with a 12 hour Qigong Master's online Summit. See below video that includes an interview I did as founder of World Tai Chi & Qigong Day on this global event and a hopeful uplifting vision of humanity's future.

Good Qi and Warm Regards!

Bill Douglas and Angela Wong-Douglas

www.WorldTaiChiDay.org

One World ... One Breath.

Please view the below video on BIRTH 2012 events happening worldwide, and get involved by observing 12/22/2012 yourself with some mindful participation, and photo or video tape your participation to post at:

The Shift Network's webpage for this event.
http://shiftmovement.com/events/category/dec-22-birth-day-event-2-2-2/

IF THIS VIDEO MOVES YOU, PLEASE SHARE IT WIDELY TO MAXIMIZE PARTICIPATION IN THIS GLOBAL CELEBRATION & MOVEMENT.