There’s been a lot of press over the last two years about the state of the world economy, and the corporate concept of ‘too big to fail’. I’d like to turn that statement on it’s head and propose that in today’s world, we need to focus on the fact that our critical thinking should address the concept of ‘too small to fail’. In other words, for the most stable and peaceful global economy in the future, we need to provide individuals with the tools to lift themselves out of poverty and to succeed. One of those tools is microfinance.

If you are familiar with some of the microfinance organizations like Kiva, their mission is focused on providing micro loans to adults in developing countries. There is a new movement, which takes it a step further and focuses on the next generation and their college level education – Vittana.

Did you know that in most countries student loans do not exist? Vittana provides the avenue for people like you and me to participate in the student loan process and fill that void. Vittana works in developing countries – Vietnam, Mongolia, Nicaragua, Paraguay and Peru – with local microfinance organizations who develop the selection criteria based on their knowledge of local culture and the job market.

Loans are given to students in their final year of college or those in short term vocational programs to assure the highest rate of success. It’s estimated that by finishing their education, they will improve their income earning potential by 200-300%.

Vittana’s business model is one of student loans, not scholarships. Once the student graduates, they begin a repayment schedule which is outlined on the website along with the profile of the student. As with all microfinance, this is a hand up, not a hand out.

The dignity that comes with the ability to make a living, support yourself and your family is invaluable and a currency that we all need to trade in for our successful future. I hope you will check out Vittana and make a student loan today.  Feel free to join the HarmonyWishes community and be a part of our lending team or create one of your own!

Green My Parents

I read an interesting article recently from one of the New York Times blogs about an environmental program geared towards harnessing the immense energy and tenacity of children.  It’s called Green My Parents.  As they state on their site, GMP, “is a movement that activates & enlists kids to lead their families in measuring & reducing environmental impact at home & ‘challenge’ their parents to share savings with kids.”  The effort was just launched this past Earth Day, and now has a presence on Facebook and Twitter, trying to spread the word to young people and their parents all over the globe.  I love the way the GMP empowers kids to take a more assertive role in decisions at home, leading the way for their families.  Sometimes we need the optimism and creativity of the next generation to help push us towards the innovative and oft-traveled paths.

Many of the GMP tips are focused on countries like the U.S., where infrastructure allows for many of the changes they suggest.  However, a few tips are applicable for other contexts. I would love to see GMP chapters pop up in other countries around the globe, adapting the format for local and regional needs and opportunities.  It could be a great global community project, all pioneered by kids!

This same blog also brought me to the TED site again to watch a short speech given by young dynamo, Adora Svitak.  Svitak is no stranger to speaking in public, despite her young age (12 years old).  In this TED video, she posits that adults need to encourage “childish thinking”: “bold ideas, wild creativity and, especially, optimism.”  Unhampered by past experiences, Svitak points out that kids tend to dream big; and perhaps our job as adults is to (1) learn from that example, and (2) create environments to encourage and incubate those big ideas.

Spring is a great chance to foster your child-like dreams, or those of a child you know and love.  The weather is warming up and new energy is in the air.  How can you take that natural vitality that Spring has to offer and approach a task with “childish” optimism and ingenuity? Or can you enlist a young person you know to collaborate with you in a personal project, or one in your community?  You might find the exploration rejuvenating! 

Cheers,

Megan

I’ve got a lot of fun YouTube discoveries this month for you,  HarmonyWishes community.  So get ready to strap in and take the visual (or auditory) journey.

This latest find I stumbled upon while on the TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) video site.  (The link is actually via YouTube).  TED hosted a conversation about “Notes & Neurons” and the common, almost innate connection humans have to the Pentatonic scale. If you don’t know what a Pentatonic scale is, don’t worry, me neither. I had to look it up.  “A Pentatonic scale is a musical scale with five pitches per octave in contrast to a Heptatonic (seven note) scale such as the major scale.”  Apparently, Pentatonic scales are very common around the world, found in Celtic music, West African music, rock, blues, melodies from Korea, China, India.  The list goes on.

In this video you’ll see musician Bobby McFerrin demonstrate the very ingrained notes of the Pentatonic scale with the audience.  He comments that no matter where he performs this exercise, whatever country, the result is the same–”everyone gets it.”

It’s sometimes hard to believe in our giant world that we all could share some innate capabilities or instincts.  Here at HarmonyWishes our mission is to embrace and encourage diversity and tolerance.  Exploring our differences, as well as our common characteristics, whether through music, ideas, images or sound, is important to us.  We’d love to hear your stories of commonality in unexpected places.  You can share it with us here on the blog, or send us a line.

Happy May!

Cheers,

Megan

I sent off a little Mother’s Day gift today. There’s no doubt that it will arrive late, if not for the distance it must travel, then for the tardiness in my sending it off the week of. But I know that Sunday itself I will send a personal card off through HarmonyWishes that will arrive just in time to let my mum know I’m thinking of her–even if the little gift is lagging behind in the Mexican post.  So don’t forget the ease and creativity in sending off a note through HW. We’d love to help you share a message with the mothers you know and love.

I always like to have a different kind of conversation with my mother around special occasions, like birthdays and Mother’s Day.  My mom and I seem to use those times to do more than the typical “check-in” we’re used to over the phone.  I thought I’d share this wonderful animated clip I just saw from the StoryCorps site.  StoryCorps is one of the largest oral history projects around. They have been recording and sharing conversations between everyday Americans since 2003, when their first mobile booth opened up at Grand Central Terminal in New York City. They invite anyone to come with a partner and record an interview. All interviews are,”…recorded on a free CD to share, and preserved at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress.”  They recently animated one of their recordings, a beautiful conversation between 12-year-old Joshua Littman, and his mother, Sarah.  Take a look!

Q&A from StoryCorps on Vimeo.

I find Joshua’s curiosity and creative questions so encouraging.  I’ve already started a list of my own unique questions for Mom.  Does this conversation inspire any new questions for conversation between you and your mom?  If you’re having any trouble getting started, take a look at some fun suggestions from author Judith Newman on the Real Simple website in her article “10 Questions to Ask Your Mother Now.” You might opt for the classic “which one of us kids did you like best?” Or perhaps a more revealing question like, “Is there anything you have always wanted to tell me but never have?” All the questions are bound to stir up a different conversation from the norm.

We hope our images and personalized cards can do the same.  Think of our cards as the start to a new conversation.  Let’s start the exchange today!

Cheers,

Megan

For many people, the sounds, smells and tastes of Mom baking are indelible experiences that recall a sense of stability and safety.  A cocoon of delicious aromas in which you could withdraw from a world of competition and the angst of childhood challenges.

There was also the element of surprise - what kind of bread is it today?  Wheat?  Anadama? Bran? (yumm, the best!), Banana? (treat!), Cheese? (can’t wait for dinner!).

I had the good fortune to grow up with a Mom who baked bread every week throughout my childhood which made me the envy of my friends and resulted in some notoriety as you can see from the photo (yes, that’s my Mom in a newspaper photo from the 50’s).  In high school, my friends were quick to dismiss the local drive-through in order to have sandwiches at my house made with Mom’s bread, while we watched soap operas - there was nothing better than devouring her sandwiches while watching Susan Lucci as Erica Kane at her scheming best.

So now, many years later as my life has evolved into the typical fast paced routines where the sense of security and stability are fleeting, I’ve had the good fortune of finding another route to the happiness that is homemade bread - through my husband!  Yes, Mom has provided the lessons and ongoing supervision necessary for proper kneading, patience and love which are all the ingredients to achieve the perfect loaf.  He likens it to the process of developing film in the pre-digital days of photography.  Last week it was anadama and there are promises of banana bread on the horizon.

At HarmonyWishes we celebrate Mom’s everywhere year around, but with Mother’s Day approaching want to remind you to do the same.  You can find the perfect image - we’ve even included the iconic one here!  Check out your choices and get ready to celebrate your memories of Mom!