Sharefest, Groundlings, bibi davidson, Gali Rotstein, Bay Cities Community Church, Snow Goose Global Thanksgiving

By Joy A. Kennelly

This has been one packed weekend. I love times like this because I am very social and love being around lots of new people. I also like my time alone, but I needed to be around people to help deal with what I'm working through.

Hit the Sharefest Fundraiser Friday night which was a lot of fun. I was expecting to see more single guys there, but it was lots of single women and married couples. The fun part was seeing people I grew up with down here that I haven't seen in years and years because I was living in Hollywood and Santa Monica.

Some had changed and some hadn't changed at all. I also saw some people I wasn't expecting which was very surprising, but nice nonetheless. Maybe a little painful in light of the circumstances, but I dealt with it. I also enjoyed finally meeting Steve Napolitano face-to-face because I'd been contacting him regarding Hermosa Beach's crime for so long. Very nice, funny guy. Is he single? Just teasing.

I have been so cooped up working and going to classes so much I really haven't been out socializing like I normally do and man I was in rare form that night. I had my friends laughing the entire time we were greeting because I kept cutting jokes and making fun the whole time. When I'm on fire, I'm on fire. Can't help it.

My Dad has a great sense of humor and taught us to always see the humor in life. Plus, it makes you feel good to laugh right? I really needed to that night. It was fun to get dressed up too. I'm very casual and rarely dress up for work since I work from home and live a block from the beach, but love going out all decked out. Even curled my hair! Texas style if you get my lift...

I encourage everyone to come to next year's fundraiser for Sharefest because they have the best auction items - trips to exotic locations like Bali (two people bid $6,500 and each won!), amazing packages of products, great Christmas gifts, lots of stuff I was so impressed to see.

I've gone to a lot of silent auctions and this was the most extensive group of products I've seen in a long time - Laker tickets, some famous basketball player signed some sports shoes, and on and on. Very cool. Once I remember how to upload pix I'll put them in a special folder for you to see. I'm so impressed with the guys who created this entire organization - what dynamos! The entire South Bay really owes them a huge debt of gratitude for all their non-profit ventures to help the community.

Lots of people came out which was fun. I could have sworn this one guy came who looked like he was straight out of The Sopranos, only in a bright blue fedora and suit. Very handsome, distinguished gentleman who definitely wanted to be noticed. You were definitely noticed! :) There was a great mix of people. The place was packed. What a nice venue too.

The Marriott has really changed since I used to go there to dance in college with my friend Sheri. One time I wore my long African dress just because I felt like kicking back and not worrying about what guys thought. We had more fun that evening! She and I greeted people as they came in like we were the hotel greeters and then danced all night long with the guys we'd been joking around with. One guy told Sheri I looked like a dove on the dance floor. Fun memory. I love dancing. How about you?

As Sharefest volunteers we helped until the program started and then were able to join the large crowd for a nice dinner.  More auctioning went on and then the keynote speaker, Karen Ledebur began to speak. 

Here's a little blurb from her bio:

"Kären also served as Associate Director for Corporate Planning and Development for the Beach Cities Health District in Redondo Beach. Her work there transformed the Health District from a behind-the-scenes grant making organization to the dynamic public health entity it is today."

I thought she'd speak about change from more of a business perspective, but instead she shared her personal story of survival and how God had touched her life through the hardships. She used pennies as an example of the need for us to make change in our lives. It was interesting and very encouraging, but went a little long. Just being honest.

I think when you're "on" for the public (like we had been as greeters,) it's very tiring and around 9:30pm Deb and I cut out. She had volunteered with me and it was great fun to have one of my best friends to hang out with. Stephanie, my new friend from Bible Study, was there too and she's so stylish! Hardly recognize her when I see her not wearing her scrubs because that's such a unisex and plain garb.

Anyway, it was a really fun evening and exactly what I needed.

Saturday hit my final Groundlings class which was also fun, but a little sad because it was going to be the last time I saw some of these people since they're jamming on to the next workshop right now whereas I'm going to wait till January.

It's ok though because I think when you work with new people in an improv setting you learn new ways of acting with people that makes you stronger in that type work. I may be wrong, but it just seems like this change will be good. Plus, a chance to make new friends!

We all went out afterwards for drinks and apps to celebrate completing the class. I haven't been drinking in a few months and the martini I had went straight to my head immediately. Today I've been fighting a head-ache all day which makes me feel like the buzz just isn't worth it in the long run. Now maybe if I was back in my floozy days I might do it more, but now...

After a bit, dashed off to my client, bibi davidson's art opening which I believe was a huge success. So many of my friends showed up (even my former client, Domiziano Arcangeli, made a rare Santa Monica appearance) and bibi's studio was constantly packed with people. I think her space more so than some of the other artists...I was very happy to see that because I'd been doing so much publicity and inviting people it made it all worthwhile.

I'm hoping some papers I invited might have popped in too since I had a nice email from an editor indicating he liked the information I'd been sending out. We'll see.

I'm going to do a photo spread  and wrap up of that even in my other professional blog - thejoywriterpr which I started on wordpress. Again, once I figure out how to upload the pix. I'm hoping it's just like riding a bike and I'll remember right away. They are a lot of fun. bibi is such a character. I think she and her art are great.

Then Glen, my new bud, and I popped over to Bergamot Station to check out all the openings over there. Of course, James Gray Gallery had the best party as always. This one was a fundraiser for Artists for Human Rights. It was nice to see the Gallery Director and say hello. Also spoke for a bit to Artist, Stephen Bennett.

Both Glen and I could swear he was painting over the photographs he took of indigenous people, but Stephen says he paints from memory and off the pic, not on the pic. It's almost too perfect though, but whatever. I don't really care either way. It's very cool any way he creates the images - check out his link and you'll see what I'm talking about.

Then quickly ran over to Tarryn Teresa's Gallery. The more I understand about the art world, the more I'm impressed with Tarryn and Claressinka for doing what they're doing with this very cool gallery space. They're both so young and beautiful sometimes it's hard to believe that they, and Elizabeth, their counter-part, actually run this wonderful gallery. Kudos girlfriends! Keep up the good work on bringing interesting art to a younger, hip generation like you do so well.

Lastly we hit Lois Lambert's Gallery since Gali Rotstein, my other artist client, will be holding an exhibit there in January 2008. She's part of the Group '08 show and has four really cool pieces of art that will be on display. You'll have to save January 12 on your calendar and plan to join us ok? She's going to be huge, mark my words. And I'm not just saying that. Big time art people agree with me. I just have good taste what can I say? :)

Back to LLG. It was a little uncomfortable to walk in and see someone who I'd stopped being friends with years back, but we agreed to act as if the other didn't exist and I walked past without incident. It was only a matter of time before we saw each other again since she was the one who introduced me to the whole art world years back and she's the one who originally brought me to Bergamot. Oh well, thanks for the education, right? LOL

Life's too short to hold grudges, but to those of you who do, God bless you richly. I don't live like that, but if you must - hope it's working for you. LOL I guess I've just had too much therapy and healing to allow petty things hold me back any more.

I will get through the pettiness that's going on right now too, but have to admit that I was crying all morning over some of it. It just seemed like it was too much to bear any more, but my good friends I called loved me through it. My new pedicure helped too. Plus, I was able to go to a really cool Thanksgiving celebration today with Glen and his roomie Phil which really lifted my spirits.

I think it was just Jim's message on rejection really got to me. I don't cry very easily, but I just sat there crying for most of his message. However, I'm in a total different head space now. I'm glad I have good people in my life. I hope you do too. Again, life's too short to waste it on mean people.

All day was healing actually. Jim's sermon was great as always. Here's the notes since you might not have made it this morning. May it bless you as much as it blessed me - I'll tell you more about this amazing feast celebrating peace and world harmony called Snow Goose after the message.

The Answer to Rejection

"How God Wants us to Deal With Pain"

Why Rejection is so painful
(The lie - that other's opinions can determine our value.)

1. It's a form of relational murder. (Murder is the ultimate ending of a relationship. Hate is prolonged suicide.)

Matthew 5:21-23:

Murder

    ²¹"You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder,^[a] and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' ²²But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother^[b]will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca,^[c]' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell.

2. It's an attack on our God given value. (People feel if they can remove your value then they can disrespect you, but God says you have value and you matter.)

1 John 3:2:
²Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears,^[a]we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.

Romans 8:17:
¹⁷Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

1 John 4:10:
¹⁰This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for^[a] our sins.

Wisdom in dealing with rejection - know where true acceptance is found.

1. It's not based on my performance.

Titus 3:5 & 7
⁵he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, ⁷so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

2. It's not based on the approval of others.

Proverbs 29:25:

    ²⁵ Fear of man will prove to be a snare,
       but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.

Psalm 56:11:

    ¹¹ in God I trust; I will not be afraid.
       What can man do to me?

Matthew 10:28:
²⁸Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

3. It is based on my relationship to Christ.

Romans 8:1:

Life Through the Spirit

    ¹Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,^[a]

Romans 5:8:
⁸But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

⁹Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! ¹⁰For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! ¹¹Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Since God Accepts Me - the truth is

1. It doesn't matter what others think of me.

Romans 8:31:

    ³¹What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?

2. He has assigned to me eternal value.

Romans 8:32:
³²He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

3. No one can cause God to reject me.

Romans 8:35-37:
³⁵Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? ³⁶As it is written:
   "For your sake we face death all day long;
      we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."^{[a] 37}No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

4. Nothing I do will cause God to reject me.

Romans 8:38-39:
³⁸For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,^[a] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, ³⁹neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Steps in dealing with rejection

1. Never let approval of others control you.

Galatians 6:10:
¹⁰Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Galatians 1:10:

    ¹⁰Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.

2. Grow in your relationship with Jesus Christ.

Psalm 9:10:

    ¹⁰ Those who know your name will trust in you,
       for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.

3. Graciously accept others as God requires.

Romans 15:7:

    ⁷Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.

End note - People who don't fear rejection have a greater capacity to love.

Amen and amen. The special music by Steve Jordan was especially nice today too. He really does have a great voice. Sorry about being petty last week SJ. We're family so... Okay, that's the sermon from today. Hope you enjoyed reading it and learned something. I know I did. Really touched my heart today.

Another event that touched my heart today was the special Thanksgiving feast called Snow Goose my friend Glen invited me to attend today. 

Here's info from the web site:

Our Mission To promote a celebration of peace, harmony and abundance through a festive atmosphere that embraces the beauty and solidarity among all people.

Our Goal To implement one thousand locations with a thousand people at each site by 2012 and one million locations by 2026, moving our collective human-being-consciousness into another frequency of dreaming, thinking, and doing. Remember, we were all indigenous people at one time and wild and free and directly connected to the lifeforce of Creation. We can do this. We really can!

Our Vision In 1992 Victor Villaseñor was giving a talk in a bookstore packed full of people in Portland, Oregon on his latest book Rain of Gold, when a local native asked him what was he going to do about Columbus.

Thanksgiving Ceremony We’re asking each of you, to take a personal pledge that where ever you are, who ever you’re with, with or without a candle – at sunset, on Thanksgiving, you will take a moment to send peace and harmony through out the whole world.

Starting Your Own It's easy. We don't want to reinvent the wheel. So contact your local church, your local grammar school, high school, and/or college. Get your local Rotarians and/or Soroptimists involved. Any service group that's inclusive and comes from the heart. Get together and have an old-fashion potluck on the Sunday before Thanksgiving.

Now imagine around 1,000 people spreading love and good will around the world at dusk tonight holding candles after hearing a great rendition of Amazing Grace. What a great way to spend today! That's what we did! Can't you just see it in your mind? All races, all ages, all socioeconomic reflected today.

We arrived at this huge estate owned by the host, Author Victor Villasenor, around 2pm, enjoyed a great turkey potluck dinner and then heard a great Latin Orchestra perform and watched people salsa dance for two hours before this ceremony. I love days like this that are totally unique and community-oriented. Lots of great music, great food, great dancing, and good times.

Plus, peace and good will to one and all. So, now I'm going to watch the American Music Awards so you have a good one y'all. Today can't get much better! Lovin' the music! One of these years I want to attend the show!

Good night and God bless.