Out of Africa ~ Jane Maluka's "Your Song Child Project" ~ A Tool to Peace the World


Your Song Child
When a woman in a certain African tribe
knows she is pregnant, she goes out into the
wilderness with a few friends, and together, they
pray and meditate until they hear the song of the
child.
They recognize that every soul has its own
vibration that expresses its unique flavor and
purpose. When the women attune to the song,
they sing it out loud. Then they return to the tribe
and teach it to everyone else.
When the child is born, the community
gathers and sings the child’s song to him or her.
Later, when the child enters education, the village
gathers and chants the child’s song.
When the child passes through initiation to
adulthood, the people again come together and
sing. At the time of marriage, the person hears his
or her song.
Finally, when the soul is about to pass from
this world, the family and friends gather at the
person’s bed, just as they did at their birth, and
they sing the person to the next life.
Deep inside us we all know that we have a
song, and wish that our family and friends would
recognize it, and support us singing it. We are all
longing to be seen, appreciated and loved for
being who we truly are.
In the African tribe there is one other
occasion upon which the villagers sing to the
child.
If at any time during his or her life, the
person commits a crime or an aberrant social act,
the individual is called to the center of the village
and the people in the community form a circle
around them. Then they sing their song to them.
The tribe recognizes that correction for antisocial
behavior is not punishment; it is love and the
remembrance of identity.
When you recognize your own song in life,
put differently, are following the uniqe way of your
heart and destiny, you will probably feel no desire
or need to do or say or anything that would hurt
another.
A friend is someone who knows your song
and sings it to you when you have forgotten it.
Those who love you are not fooled by mistakes
you have made or dark images you may hold
about yourself.
They remember your beauty when you feel
ugly; your wholeness when you are broken; your
innocence when you feel guilty; and your purpose
when you are confused.
They know that you are a special person
with unique qualities, and that the world will be
enriched by your presence and actions.
They respect and love you, unconditionally,
when you are strong, as well as when you might
be feeling weak during the journey of your life.
We hope that you know your song and that
you’ll be singing it - and hope that you’ve got
loving and caring people around to remind you, in
case you should forget.
(Traditional Story passed on in griot tradition.
Rewritten by Jane Maluka for Your Song Child Project.)
The griot (pronounced gree-oh) is part of West African
tradition. It is a role of honor, designating someone
who maintains community tradition and memory
through storytelling, music, and dance.

World Soul ~ Your Voice Matters



"The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen." ~ Elizabeth Kubler Ross

Jane Maluka, born in Denmark in 1952, is a singer, songwriter, and voice healer. The African Village story above inspired her to create The Journey of Discovery: "Your Song Child Project". Her love of Africa, its people, and their struggles are part of her history. She is no stranger to unfortunate happenings herself. In her biography, she writes of "having had to flee with her children from violence and rape and being exposed to kidnapping and loss of her kids at the age of 9 and 4, life threats, years of court cases in two countries, lifelong consequences, knowing feelings of pain, resentment and wish for revenge", she clearly states... to her..."war is not the answer"...and, that "It is the Music ~ Faith in the Good ~ and Universal Love that has saved her life and sanity".

"Your Song Child Project" is a song for children and grown ups; and a story about love, compassion and understanding; and about respect, tolerance, and world citizenship.

"Your Song Child" is a song about love and empowerment for life's journey ~ honouring the uniqueness of every soul born on Mother Earth.

Jane Maluka's Vision is for music to transcend borders & unite people.



"Your Song Child Project" http://www.janemaluka.com/music.html

This Week SPRING WATCH USA, Thursday & Saturday, 8 PM on Animal Planet


photo by Craig Smith

African Wildlife Foundation


Don't Miss The Next 4 Episodes of SPRING WATCH USA On Animal Planet




Animal Planet's SPRING WATCH USA is a fantastic event. The spring is all about birth and life, and SPRING WATCH opens the mind and increases our understanding and appreciation of "all creatures great and small". The animals have just as much right to be here as we humans do. And, as we grow in understanding of that, we also grow in wanting to reach out and help them when they're in trouble. They, like us humans, can sometimes be in real need of a helping hand. And, if any of us are going to survive as a species it will be because of mutual respect and reverence for life itself of which all four of the star hosts (Jeff, Vanessa, Philippe, and David) are very good examples. ~ Patty Ann Smith

To find interactive material online to go along with each episode, go to SPRING WATCH USA http://animal.discovery.com/tv/spring-watch/spring-watch.html and begin exploring and discovering "a sense of place".

The Nature Miniseries Continues on Animal Planet at 8 pm Thursday





Wildlife conservationist, Jeff Corwin (click on the headline below to see his video clip); Vanessa Garnick, a wildlife naturalist and animal behaviorist; Philippe Cousteau, Animal Planet's Chief Ocean Correspondent; and David Mizejewski, a lifelong naturalist ~ are four Outstanding People who are helping us to connect the dots between the animals and us. So be sure to watch the next episode tomorrow night of SPRING WATCH USA on ANIMAL PLANET.


A Video Clip with Jeff Corwin from one of the 6 Special Event SPRING WATCH USA Episodes over the next 4 weeks Being Presented By ANIMAL PLANET

Every Day Is Earth Day


* Explore * Enjoy * Protect *

BIG EARTH DAY WEEKEND

Saturday Night 8 pm ET/PT is the Premiere of SPRING WATCH USA on ANIMAL PLANET


....with Jeff Corwin, Vanessa Garnick, Philippe Cousteau, and David Mizejewski exploring the Rites of Spring throughout the USA. One of the locations is Kiawah Island, South Carolina.

"From their SPRING WATCH USA headquarters on Kiawah Island, located off the coast of South Carolina near Charleston, Jeff and Vanessa give viewers a backstage pass to spring from the animals' point of view. With cameras positioned in nests, caves and other habitats, Jeff and Vanessa track such inhabitants of Kiawah Island as bobcats, red-tailed hawks, alligators, bluebirds, and screeching owls."

Oh! By the way, did I tell you I live in Charleston, S.C. :)

Feel Good! Enjoy!
Celebrate Nature Where You Live!

....and Sunday

McLaren Park Earth Day Poster (click here to download)


Nature In The City

San Francisco, California
Earth Day at McLaren Park and the Jerry Garcia Amphitheater
Learn about all of the wonderful things they're doing there
and be inspired to celebrate nature where you live.

A Relationship With Each Other and The Earth


"Love is the only rational act." (Morrie Schwartz)
People who live in harmony with each other and nature are the truly free people on this earth.
Think, care, and listen...because...If we don't know what hurts another person, how can we say we love them.
Be Peace.
Be Love.

The Climate Code ~ One Degree Climate Change



News, Science, and Debate....at The Weather Channel.Com

"This Moment on Earth"



"Today's New Environmentalists And Their Vision For The Future"

"In this passionate and personal book, Senator John Kerry and Teresa Heinz Kerry shine the spotlight on an inspiring cross-section of new environmental pioneers."

In the first chapter of their book, they write:

"The people you will meet in this book do not all know each other. They did not meet on an environmental Web site. They do not necessarily buy organic vegetables or fair trade coffee. They are not even all members of the same political party. In fact, many of them do not consider themselves part of a "movement", or, for that matter, even want to be called "environmentalists". They are down to earth pragmatic people who have set out to solve a problem, often in the face of great opposition from vested interests, and largely unsupported by government. But the odds have not deterred them.
What they have in common is that the changes they have brought about all began as spirited, individual crusades backed by nothing more than a sense that they were doing the right thing."

In their book, the Kerry's bring us an exemplary message of hope through people, businesses, and communities that are innovative and creative in making a global difference. In this book we get informed about things like what's being done about the connection between toxins in our environment and cancer, and what can be done about the pollution of our oceans and waterways. "This Moment on Earth" is written in a way that makes it quite clear that the health of our environment and the health of man are intricately connected. It also includes an extensive guide on where and how readers can get involved.

This is an inspiring book. And in the Kerry's own words: "On every issue addressed in this book, our purpose is to inform, warn, and inspire." I'd say they succeeded. ~ Patty Ann Smith

University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute ~ Center for Environmental Oncology

The Heinz Center ~ The State of the Nation's Ecosystems

The Heinz Center ~ Sustainable Oceans, Coasts, and Waterways Programs

Compassionate toward
yourself ~ you reconcile
all beings in the world.
(the Tao)

Sarah McLachlan Asks You To Help Animals

Child Abuse, Domestic Violence, and Animal Abuse


"Evidence is mounting that animal abuse is frequently embedded in families scarred by domestic violence and child maltreatment, and often predicts the potential for other violent acts."

This landmark book, published by Purdue University Press, is filled with compelling essays that violence prevention programs are enhanced by including animal protection personnel and by recognizing animal maltreatment as a human welfare issue.

This supports the fact that respect, kindness, tolerance, compassion, and personal responsibility are necessities for all living things.

Animal Cruelty: Pathway to Violence Against People