Recreation and Work... One in the same?

A few years ago I was working as a financial analyst in Los Angeles, and one day as I sat in front of my computer, counting the minutes until quitting time, it occurred to me that there had to be more to life than spending a third of it performing tasks which I did not enjoy. That moment, although brief was my aha moment, in which I was literally able to observe myself from the outside and clearly see that I had been living someone else’s life, who’s life I was living I did not know, but it certainly did not feel like mine, it felt as if I had completely missed the target. 

This epiphany lasted only but a moment, however it completely changed my outlook on life and all of a sudden I realized how limiting it was to dislike a major part of my life, all for the perceived comfort of a steady paycheck.  How had this happened? And what did I need to do to become one of those people that seemed to have everything at their fingertip?  I literally had no idea; however something in me was dying to find out.

A short time later, I came upon a quote that said “Make your recreating and work, one in the same”. I can’t recall whose quote this was, but I am in eternal gratitude for his or her clarity and wisdom. This was the answer to what I was seeking, and all the guidance I needed. It was so simple, yet I had missed it for so long. All I needed to do was focus on what I loved to do, and find a way to get paid for it.

It sounds funny but never underestimate the power of intention. A few months later, I started my own company in which I now design and make knitwear clothing. The plus of it all is that I decided to work with incarcerated women in Bolivia, which is where I now live, happily married and enjoying my life with all of its trials and opportunities for growth. 

If you would like to know more of what we do, go to www.Knittingpeace.com

~Namaste

Homemade cookies from jail

Well over a year ago, Eulogia who is an integral part of my team of incarcerated knitters suggested I hire her husband Victor to knit for Knitting Peace. At first, I have to admit I was hesitant, it seemed logistically complicated, and I wasn’t sure he knew how to knit. You see, Victor is also incarcerated. He is in Chonchocoro, which is the high security prison in La Paz, located about an hour outside of the city. I have no idea why he is incarcerated; however Eulogia is allowed to visit him twice a month.  

She assured me his knitting skills were just as good as or better than my girls, and she proved herself worthy of her word. Victor is not only a really good knitter, but he has on more than one occasion gone without sleep in order to meet our deadlines. 

At Chonchocoro some of the inmates have cel phone privileges; therefore Victor and I have had the opportunity to speak, although we have yet to meet face to face. He is a very gentle and sweet man; he loves to knit for us, and takes our work very seriously. On many occasions he has delivered his work faster than my female knitters, making sure he has things ready for me when Eulogia goes to visit him. She happily delivers him the yarn I give her, and on her next visit brings back the finished pieces. The logistical nightmare I had initially feared is a no brainer and I am very pleased with the results. 

Victor shared with me that he is also taking baking lessons and learning how to make all kinds of sweets. Upon one of Eulogia’s returns from visiting him, she not only delivered a beautifully knit piece, but also a sweet little bag of anis and orange cookies which Victor had sent me. They were delicious, and filled with the sweetness of gratitude, and I happily ate them all in return.

~Namaste

A Merry Christmas in Jail

This past Christmas season was very special for me and Knitting Peace. Mainly because I finally had the opportunity to stay in Bolivia for the holidays, which up to know I usually spent in Los Angeles, selling our goods and participating in gift fairs. However this year was different, I spent it here, with my team!

We were all very excited, and although I couldn’t put together the celebration my girls deserved with a tree, Santa, champagne, gifts, etc (let’s not forget the girls are in a jail), I was able to go into the jail during non visiting hours and have a special intimate gathering with my team, where we shared tea, chocolate milk, Christmas Paneton and cookies.  It was the first time in a long time we had the opportunity to gather around a table and chat. 

I started off the gathering by sharing my gratitude with them for all of their hard work, diligence, perseverance and inspiration. I experienced tremendous growth in each one, on a personal and team level this year, and am extremely grateful for all of their effort and support.  Each team member received a Paneton and chocolate milk to share with their children on Christmas day, which they greatly appreciated. I also gifted them pictures I had taken of them throughout the years of working together, which they asked me to write an inscription on. 

Towards the end of our sweet meal, the girls surprised me with a showering of gratitude and beautifully spoken words of excitement for what is to come, love for the work that we do, lessons received, and mountains of joy.  Each woman shared freely what Knitting Peace has meant to them, and all that they had achieved. In that moment I was able to perceive a group of women sitting in their power, and I almost forgot that I was in a jail. I realized that each and every woman sitting around that table was free; in their hearts and in their minds they experienced the freedom to be in peace and outside of the limitations of the walls of that jail. 

~Namaste