Help me win the Intuit Jump Start Contest

Please click HERE to vote.

Here's my story:

On April 17, 2002, in a meeting at the Texas Commission on the Arts was asked what was missing in the Austin cultural arts landscape. I promptly answered, "an architectural artisan school." And from that simple exchange a 5-1/2 year mission was born. My concept, the Texas Legacy Arts Incubator (TLAI), is an architectural artisan-based economic development model designed to incubate micro-enterprise in Texas (to start!). It is a far-reaching enterprise that will increase the kind and number of people who participate in the economic development of the larger community while improving the educational opportunities overall. In addition to the economic value TLAI will provide to the community, we will bring a wide variety of educational opportunities with the architectural artisan tradecrafts education and apprenticeship programs, which will be taught by well-known masters. The programs are primarily targeted at at-risk youth and historically disadvantaged populations. The TLAI will provide opportunities for cultural preservation, micro-business growth and development and workforce training. The first level of the TLAI architectural artisan tradecrafts training and apprenticeships will include: Stonework, metalwork, glassmaking, mosaic tile and food arts. These disciplines will teach critical path thinking & prepare participants for a sustainable life. Fast forward to now. The research is done, the land is secured, the relationships have been built & the support is in place to make this dream real. The monetary prize from this contest would allow me to more deeply focus on my role in taking this project from idea to reality.

Help iCREATE Make a Difference with American Express!

Introducing The Members ProjectSM, an exciting new initiative that brings American Express® Cardmembers together to do something good for our world.

Join fellow Cardmembers to dream up, and ultimately unite behind, one incredible idea.

On August 7, American Express will bring it to life with up to $5 million. Will you send vital vaccines to India? Sponsor schools in the inner city? Or fund a next generation hydrogen car? The possibilities are endless. The decision is yours.

Visit membersproject.com.

I have posted a basic summary of the iCREATE vision for the Texas Legacy Arts Incubator, a/k/a Project number 5658. Please check it out and, if you are an American Express cardmember, sign in and show your support by giving us 5 stars!

Thanks for your interest...and support.

Ruth

I AM...gonna meet Oprah!

Definition:
[n] an act of intending; a volition that you intend to carry out; "my intention changed once I saw her" ; [n] an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions; "his intent was to provide a new translation"; "good intentions are not enough"; "it was created with the conscious aim of answering immediate needs"; "he made no secret of his designs"; [n] (usually plural) the goal with respect to a marriage proposal; "his intentions are entirely honorable"

The concept of an 'intention' is often presented as all one needs to achieve any hoped-for outcome. But, it's important to keep in mind that the road to hell is paved with good intentions. In other words, merely intending to do something without actually taking the necessary action to make it real is like doing nothing at all.

A recent example from my own journey over the last 5 years: I want to get the story of iCREATE to Oprah. Since I don't know her personally, I went to her website in 2005 and sent her my story. And then I submitted it again in early 2006. And once again in late 2006.

As you may have noticed, you haven't seen me on Oprah, lol. But, I had faith that I'd fulfill the intention of getting the message to Oprah.

In February 2007 I got an email from a friend telling me of the contestant search for Oprah's "Big Give" television show. I checked out the website, overcame my fear of seeing myself on video, followed the instructions and confirmed the receipt of the package. Since then I have been waiting [mostly] patiently to see if I am contacted for the semi-final round of the selection process. Thanks to site tracking, I do see the e-footprints of people associated with the show and I like to think that everyone that checks the site from Chicago is a friend of Oprah. And that they are telling her about iCREATE.

Whether or not I am selected for the next round, I have taken the necessary actions to fulfill my original intention of getting the information about iCREATE to Oprah.

Intention + Actions = Manifestation

I AM...gonna meet Oprah!

rg

Mathematics of Manifestation

Lesson One: I AM

Over the last few years the concept of manifestation has made its way into the global conversation. Not surprisingly, a lot of people seem to have grabbed onto the easy part of setting intentions. They seem to believe that old adage "If you want it badly enough, you will get it". However it's the unwritten words in that statement that really drive the outcome. I've always visualized the complete statement as: "if you want it badly enough, you will do whatever is neccesary without losing your integrity to make it happen and then you will get it.

I have summarized this in an easy to remember formula:
Intention + Actions = Manifestation
which further reduces down to I + A = M or I AM

The iCREATE journey has given me incredible opportunities to experience the truth of the I AM formula. I will be using this blog space to illuminate these concepts further using examples from my own life. And I hope that you will share your experiences with me too.

rg