Shedding in Africa - Lost in Amsterdam (Part 1)
Amsterdam - the perfect place to rest and break up the long 10,000 mile trip to Africa. Or so I thought! After visiting the famous Anne Frank house I roamed down streets, canal after canal. Thinking this may be the last time I'd be able to check email, I darted into an internet cafe, unsnapped my backpack belt from around my waist, and carefully placed my bag under my chair and sat down to work. Suddenly, I looked around and my backpack was gone!
My heart sank into the pit of my stomach as my psyche began to catalog what had vanished. My passport, all my money, credit cards, bank cards, traveler's checks, my camera, video camera, medications, jewelry, itinerary, plane tickets, lizard key chain complete with keys, and my precious 2005 journal.
With horror, I admitted to myself the unthinkable - a thief had snatched my bag from between my legs. The culprit had even stolen my map of Amsterdam along with the name of the hotel I was staying in and my hotel room key. I pleaded with the cafe clerk to call the police. He grunted and refused, touting, "They won't come! There are too many pickpockets around here. You will have to go to find the police yourself." Stunned with his response, I wandered outside into the cool, breezy night. Feeling unhinged from everything and everybody on Earth, I stood in the middle of the dark street and struggled to stop the tears from flowing. What was I going to do? I didn't even have any money to make a phone call.
In just over 24 hours my flight was leaving for Africa. I was alone, LOST in Amsterdam, with NOTHING but the clothes on my back!
How does the story turn out? Stay tuned for next week's issue...
Lenny has observed humans and has realized that humans too often depend on their "stuff" to anchor them. People tend to define their self-sufficiency by how much money they have or the possessions they own. In reality our possessions are all an illusion. At any moment we can be stripped of everything. Real self-sufficiency comes from realizing that our true valuables lie inside ourselves. Remember that whatever happens to us externally, no one can take away our spirit.
Lenny's Challenge: Take 60 Seconds and ask yourself, "How do I define my self-sufficiency? More externally or internally based?" What would you do if all your external valuables were taken away? How would you react? What feelings would you have? What is something you can do today to remind yourself that true valuables are not what you have but who you are inside.
Realizing true valuables lie inside of you is 100% your choice! Shed or You’re Dead ™!
Shedding in Africa - Lost in Amsterdam (Part 2)
As I stood all alone with nothing but the clothes on my back in the middle of a dark Amsterdam street, questions flooded my mind. "What do I do? Where do I go? How do I find the police?" I didn't have a penny to my name. I faintly remembered the cafe clerk rambling something about the police station being three blocks down, then make a left...about 15 minutes down the road. Confused about what to do, I just started walking. Trying to protect myself from the cutting wind, I pulled up the hood to my jacket. If only I had my gloves, I thought, but they were in the backpack, too!
I knew I had made a wrong turn when I found myself smack in the middle of Amsterdam's famous "Red Light" district. I had never witnessed such sights. Women hanging out of windows. I knew they had money but I was not about to stop and ask them for help.
Once again, I found myself seeking direction. I walked into a small corner store, but no one seemed to pay me much attention so I walked back out. Then I looked back to the sign. It was an exotic mushroom store, better known in Amsterdam as a marijuana house!
Things seemed to be getting worse as the night went on. I had to find the police. I had to keep walking.
Fortunately, from a distance, I saw a large sign - POLICE STATION - at the end of the block. I was ecstatic! Finally, after two hours of searching, I MADE IT!! With a renewed spark, I picked up the pace and ran to the door. I grabbed the handle and pulled. But the door wouldn't open. I jerked the handle back and forth, thinking it was stuck, but it wouldn't budge. I pounded on the door. Finally I let go, stepped back and allowed my eyes to read the sign on the door. POLICE STATION CLOSED!
Police Station Closed?!? How could a police station close? (Well, think about it. Just about everything in Amsterdam is legal, so why do they need the police?)
What happens to Kathy? How does the story turn out? Does Kathy ever, actually, get to Africa? Stay tuned for next week's issue...
Lenny has witnessed humans and has noticed that throughout life, people are often confronted with closed doors. Sometimes it's a job, a relationship, a deal that falls through - something doesn't work out as planned. In desperation, we often keep beating the closed door, hoping it will open. As difficult as closed doors are to accept, we must ultimately keep our eyes wide open and move towards the next open door. Some of life's best lessons are found when a door closes and we can seek out new open doors.
Lenny's Challenge: Take 60 seconds and ask yourself, "Am I running into any closed doors in my life right now? Do I keep on beating the door, expecting it to open?" Do you feel stuck trying to make something happen that just won't budge? What can you do today to let go, keep going, and look for a new open door?
Moving past "closed doors" is 100% your choice! Shed or You’re Dead ™!
Shedding in Africa - Lost in Amsterdam (Part 3)
The Amsterdam Police Station closed?!? In disbelief I wondered, "How can a police station close?" What should I do now? It was 10 PM, dark, and no one was around. I was exhausted, thirsty, and had not a penny to my name. I convinced myself to keep moving, keep walking, keep looking for help. As I headed back down the street, a beggar approached me. Feeling bombarded after being approached by beggars several times that day, I quickly snapped back. "I have NO money. Leave me alone!" I looked disgustingly at him and walked away.
My parched tongue craved water. The more I watched people at the sidewalk cafes drinking, the more consumed I became with quenching my thirst. If only I had some change to buy a drink. Finally, I walked into a restaurant. The waitress greeted me, "Table for one?" "No, I have no money. But please, I need your help. I'm so thirsty and tired. Can I just sit down for a few minutes and rest? Can I please have a glass of water?" I pleaded.
As the words blurted out from my cotton-tongued mouth, I realized the unthinkable. I was now the beggar!
Desperately, I wanted to deny it. I wanted to rationalize and explain to myself how I was different from the beggars on the street. I didn't want to be identified with them. I wanted to judge and say they were panhandlers and I was a victimized American. With tears rolling down my face, I knew in my heart that there was no difference. In reality, aren't we all beggars? Aren't we all trying to get our needs met?
Don't miss next week's issue as Kathy journey to Africa continues...
Lenny's Challenge: Take 60 seconds and ask yourself, "What am I begging for right now?" What unmet needs do you have? What do you thirst for? How are you getting your needs met? Do you have a tendency to stand in judgement of others? Do you see yourself in the unacceptable actions of others?
Realizing we're all beggars is 100% your choice! Shed or You’re Dead™!
Shedding in Africa - Lost in Amsterdam (Part 4)
The waitress smiled and responded kindly, "Sit here and rest for a few minutes. I will get you a glass of water." I explained my plight - how my bag was stolen with all my valuables inside and that I had no money, no identification, and no idea what hotel I was staying in. Despite the restaurant being packed like a can of sardines, she listened intently and suggested, "The chef is from Amsterdam and knows this city inside and out. Let me see if he can come out and help."
In a less than two minutes, a guy in white chef hat and apron magically appeared before me. We began to talk. I remembered I was staying at a Best Western hotel. He pulled out the phone book and found that there were six different ones. Based on my description, he immediately pinpointed mine. On a napkin, he drew a map of how to get to my hotel. I pulled my coat hood up and waded back out into the cool night breeze. Finally, I had some clear direction to guide me.
Don't miss next week's issue as Kathy journey to Africa continues...
Lenny has observed humans and has noticed that quite often they wander around in life not knowing where they are going. Many times people can't even identify where they are ultimately heading, let along have clear directions and a path to get there. Discovering your true north often comes by stopping, resting, and receiving guidance.
Lenny's Challenge: Take 60 seconds and ask yourself, "Do I know where I am heading in my life right now?" Do you feel like you keep wandering around trying to figure it out on your own? What can you do today to stop, reflect, and ask for some direction?
Stopping for directions is 100% your choice! Shed or You’re Dead™!
Shedding in Africa - Lost in Amsterdam (Part 5)
In less than 15 minutes, the chef's primitive "mapquest napkin directions" led me right back to my hotel. As my eyes finally landed on the familiar sign that I'd left 15 hours earlier, I charged through the front door, ran up to the front desk and declaired, "I need help!!" The front desk clerk stood patiently and heard my tragic story about all my valuables being stolen at the internet cafe and searching over two hours for the police. He responded, "The closest police station that's open is about 15 minutes away. You need to take a taxi." Close to hyperventilating and with tears rolling down my face, I blurted out, "A taxi? I don't have a penny to my name!"
Distracted by someone calling him from the back office, the clerk turned around and said, "Please wait, I'll be right back."
Wait? I'll be right back?
Don't miss next week's issue as Kathy's journey to Africa continues...
Lenny has observed humans and has noticed that sometimes it is hard for people to wait. In our instant gratification society, we've grow accustomed to demanding things - now! Most of us become impatient if we don't have high speed Internet access or if we have to wait two minutes at the fast food drive through line. Whether it's waiting for a phone call, test results, job offer, or a relationship response, we tend to spend countless amounts of energy reacting. Waiting can be a renewal gift if we allow ourselves to accept the wait, resist reacting to it, and take a much needed breath.
Lenny's Challenge: Take 60 seconds and ask yourself, "How do I respond when I have to wait? Angry? Upset? Worried? Do I grow impatient when things don't happen as quick as I would like?" Have you ever thought about seeing waiting as a renewal gift? What is one thing you can do today to respond in a different way? How can you learn to take a deep breath, resist the urge to react, and patiently wait?
Seeing waiting as a gift to breathe 100% your choice! Shed or You’re Dead™!
Shedding in Africa - Lost in Amsterdam (Part 6)
The five minute wait allowed me to stop crying and slow down my breathing. The front desk clerk returned, placed 100 Euros ($120 US dollars) in my hand and said, "I hope this helps." Overwhelmed by his generosity, I thanked him. He went on, "I have some good news, your checked baggage (the one which had never arrived from the flight from Philadelphia with my clothes) has been found."
As he pulled out my red suitcase I remembered that my travel savvy neighbor, Sue Wilson, had insisted I make copies of my passport, credit cards, travelers checks, itinerary, plane tickets, medication, and emergency contacts and put them in my checked baggage. At the time, I was irritated with her suggestion and thought it was a waste of time. Thank God for Sue's words about preparing for a "what if."
Don't miss next week's issue as Kathy's journey to Africa continues...
Lenny has observed humans and has noticed that people don't often take the time to plan for life's "what ifs." They often see the extra tasks as useless and a waste of time. Often just taking a few extra minutes to ask yourself, "What if?" can help you recover quicker when faced with a crisis.
Lenny's Challenge: Take 60 seconds and ask yourself, "Do I currently take time to plan for an unexpected crisis in my life? When was the last time I stopped and asked, 'What if?' What if I lose my job? What if I get sick? What if my computer crashes?" Now, take action steps to prepare for the worst. Build an emergency fund. Buy a disability policy. Back up your computer files. What can you do today to plan for life's "what ifs?"
Planning for life's "what ifs" is 100% your choice! Shed or You’re Dead™!
Shedding in Africa - Lost in Amsterdam (Part 7)
I grabbed the copies of my credit card info out of my suitcase and quickly called to cancel all my credit cards. Then I hopped in a cab and headed to the police station and stopped at the only pharmacy that was still open. I was amazed they immediately filled six of my stolen prescriptions without question.
When I arrived at the police station, the officer allowed me two phone calls, one to my sister and one to my pastor. "It's me, I'm in the Amsterdam police station." (I know what they must have been thinking: "Kathy, everything is legal in Amsterdam, what you could have possibly done to get arrested?!?")
After hours of filling out forms, the police drove me back to the hotel. It was 3 AM...and I collapsed. I semi-slept for four hours, then jumped out of bed and used my last Euro to take a bus to the U.S. Embassy. There were a dozen people gathered outside the gigantic 20 foot tall black iron gates.
I pushed the gate call button and waited. Finally a guard in full military dress arrived and asked, "Can I help you?" I responded thankfully, "Yes, I need help. I'm on my way to Africa and my bags were stolen and I need a passport." His mechanical voice inquired, "Do you have an appointment?" In shock, I blurted out, "No, I wasn't planning on needing an emergency passport." Sternly he responded, "We can't help you if you don't have an appointment."
Stunned by his heartless response, emotionally I began to spiral from hope to despair. Ok, I had a meltdown! Grabbing the cold black iron bars and rattling them for dear life, I began hysterically screaming, "What do you mean you can't help me? I am an American! You are the American Embassy!!! I'm all alone, stranded in a foreign country with NO identification or money! I BEG YOU -- PLEASE HELP ME!!!"
Don't miss next week's issue as Kathy's journey to Africa continues...
Lenny has observed humans and has noticed that sometimes people allow themselves to be rattled by others. Often, we allow someone else's agenda to "rattle our cage." Maybe they didn't listen. Maybe they have a job to do. Maybe they don't care. It's helps to remember that no matter what anyone says or does to us, we can still be in control of our response.
Lenny's Challenge: Take 60 seconds and ask yourself, "Who do I allow to rattle my cage? How do I react when someone isn't responding and is pushing their own agenda?" What can you do today to remain in more control of your physical and emotional responses?
Not allowing others to "rattle your cage" is 100% your choice! Shed or You’re Dead™!
Shedding in Africa - Lost in Amsterdam (Part 8)
The American Embassy now had a PR crisis right outside their front gates. An hysterical American woman begging for help! It was amazing how quickly they responded to their dilemma and opened the door. "Come on in Ma'am, calm down, stop crying, we will help you." In less than three hours, I was handed an emergency passport and was on my way. American Express (yes, don't leave home without them!) immediately gave me replacement traveler's checks and a credit card.
Then Delta's frequent flyer system electronically located my ticket and I made my scheduled flight to Africa! I took a deep breath and gave a sigh of relief as the plane took off.
Ten hours later when the plane touched African ground, I cheered. I made it! I hopped off the plane and immediately proceeded to the immigration line. As I stepped up the counter and handed the official my emergency passport, he said your visa will be $25. I handed him my credit card. “No good.” I handed him a traveler's check. “No good ma’am.” I asked him where I could exchange money. “There isn't anywhere.”
"Step aside," he said as he walked away. Little did I realize what was going on, but the African immigration officials were making arrangements to send me back on the plane. I could feel it coming on ....Meltdown #2! Yes, not 24 hours had passed and again my cage was being rattled! I pleaded, "No, you can't put me back on the plane. I have come too far. All my valuables have been stolen. I am here to help your people and work with the orphans. A taxi cab driver is supposed to be picking me up here. I beg you, please don't send me back on the plane!" Nothing I was saying or doing was making any difference. They were not going to let me into Africa.
Don't miss next week's issue as Kathy's journey to Africa continues...
Lenny has observed humans and has noticed sometimes people fail to learn the lesson the first, second, or third time around. In fact, life has a way of continuing to present us with similar "learning opportunities" until we finally open our eyes, respond differently, and learn the life lesson.
Lenny's Challenge: Take 60 seconds and ask yourself, "What experiences in life do I keep experiencing over and over again? Looking back, what patterns do I see myself repeating?" Do you find yourself frequently being taken advantage of? Do you find yourself in personal or work relationships with the same types of individuals? Do people continue to treat you the same way over and over again? Have you ever really stopped and taken time to look at what the learning opportunity might be? What can you do differently to finally learn the lesson so you don't have to continue repeating similar experiences.
Learning life lessons the first time around is 100% your choice! Shed or You’re Dead™!
Shedding in Africa - The Unexpected Gift (Lost in Africa - Part 9)
Despite my begging and pleading, nothing I was saying or doing was making any difference. Because of my inability to pay for the visa, the African immigration officials refused to let me into Africa! They didn't care that all my valuables had been stolen.
After an hour of crying and questioning about how I could have come 10,000 miles only to be sent back home, the unexpected happened. A taxi cab driver paid my way into Africa!!! A complete stranger - someone I had no connection to. If it wasn't for the generous, unexpected gift of this man, I would have been put back on the plane and never been able to help the African orphans.
Over the next few weeks, I witnessed the unimaginable - how the devastating conditions of poverty, malnutrition, and lack of education were affecting thousands of children. I saw kids who had lost both parents to AIDS and now were the head of households. Children dying in the middle of the streets. 14 year olds who had never attended a day of school. This humbling experience compelled me to do something. I wanted to establish an education fund to support the orphans in their quest for survival.
It only takes $10 to send an African orphan to school for an entire year. Since setting up the Keep Shedding Foundation, the generosity of friends, colleagues, and strangers have made it possible to send 400 children to school in 2006. Our goal is to send 10,000 kids to school in the next three years. With your help, we can do it!
In this season of giving, you have the opportunity to give the greatest gift one can give: the gift of knowledge. In tribute to your own family and friends, honor them by sponsoring the education of as many children as you feel called to do.
Lenny's Challenge: Take 60 seconds and please visit www.KeepShedding.com/foundation.htm to experience the African orphan slide show. Open your heart and generous spirit. You are now the taxi cab driver. What unexpected gift will you give today?
Giving an unexpected gift is 100% your choice! Shed or You’re Dead™!
Shedding in Africa - Are you hanging around with Chickens? (Part 10)
One afternoon, I stopped by St John’s orphanage to visit the children with Sister Prosperina. As we approached the kids I spotted a little girl looking about 6 years old wearing a blue sweatshirt who was down on all fours in the dirt. I watched as she began to roam around on all fours and cackle like an chicken. Quickly, one of the workers shouted, "Cheka stop! Get up, you are not a chicken!”
My first thought was that she was just playing, like a child. When I inquired about the little girl's situation, the orphanage worker said, "She is 14, not 6. She was found recently living among the chickens in the bush. We don't know how long she's been living on her own. Both her parents have died of AIDS. She can’t even speak an audible word. If we get the funds, maybe we can send her to school next year."
My heart sunk in disbelief. How could this possible be?
Lenny has observed humans and has noticed that sometimes we tend to become who we hang around. Often times we don't realize how much others have an influence on our actions and behavior. If you hang around the wrong crowd, most likely you will become “the wrong crowd.”
Lenny's Challenge: Take 60 Seconds and ask yourself, "Who do I hang around? People who gossip, talk negative, or are pessimistic?" Are the people you hand around with a positive or negative influence on your life? What can you do today to make sure you're identifying with the right crowd?
Who you identify with is 100% your choice! Shed or You’re Dead™!