Year in Review
As 2006 winds to a close, it is time to reflect on everything we are thankful for and set new goals for 2007. Where do you want to be a year from now?Five years?Ten?I will be posting my ideas here over the coming days. Feel free to do the same.

The Tone Scale

I had the occasion to be very glad I knew about the Tone Scale the other day.

I had to make a decision about which of two people to trust. They were saying almost opposite things. And it was really hard to tell who was lying.

Fortunately I was able to spot that one of the two was in a tone level called "covert hostility." So I went with the other guy.

I was sure glad I did. It turned out when I verified the information that if I'd accepted what the covert guy was saying I would have been in serious trouble. It was a fabric of lies!

Scientology Volunteer Ministers Restoring Calm in Strike-Ridden Kolkata

Despite the violence of a general strike Scientology Volunteer Ministers set up their tent in the heart of Kolkata on International Volunteer Day and helped nearly a thousand people just that afternoon — one person at a time.

This year, International Volunteer Day was marred by violence in Kolkata, described by some media as "a cauldron of street protest... bringing business to a halt."

Some schools, shut down when the general strike was called earlier in the week, stayed closed; others were opened but remained empty. Rumors of new violence spread throughout the day, and few ventured out into the streets. >> continued

Thoughts on Human Rights Day

I found this article on the Scientology Human Rights Forum site and it got me thinking.

What do you think would happen if even 5% of the population because staunch human rights advocates?

I think that those who like to abuse human rights would find themselves so outnumbered that they'd get the **** out of there and let the rest of us get on with living our lives in peace.

Two Very Special Scientology Ceremonies at the Church of Scientology of Madrid

I found this story on the Scientology Press Office site

When Maria Luisa Pérez was ordained as a Scientology Minister this week at the Church of Scientology of Spain, it was not only a celebration of the help she can now provide the Scientology community in Madrid, it was also the accomplishment of a very important personal goal. Newly ordained Scientology minister Rev. Maria Luisa Pérez performed the naming ceremony of her own granddaughter, at the Church of Scientology of Spain in Madrid. Being ordained as a Scientology minister signals the completion of extensive training. But it also carries with it recognition by the Church that the ministerial candidate has demonstrated the highest ethical standards and a true commitment to helping others. As in all Scientology ordinations, Maria pledged to honor the Scientology codes of conduct and set an example to other Scientologists by her ethics, tolerance and care. >> continued

Church of Scientology of Auckland, New Zealand

I see the Church of Scientology of Auckland has a news web site at www.scientology.co.nz.

It's been good to ready on Scientology Today how active New Zealand Scientologists are in the Volunteer Ministers movement.

Helping Others -a Way of Life

I remeber when I first read about the 8 dynamics of existence. It really affirmed something I've always believed -- that one is as alive as he or she is in communication with and helping others.

I've tried to live my life according to that realization, and always put time in on volunteer projects.

I feel I've gained as much from doing this as I've given - perhaps even more.

My thoughts for Volunteer Day 2006.

Help Needed in the Philippines

It's almost a deja vu with Christmas exactly three weeks away, and 1000 dead in the aftermath of Typhoon Durian.

If you can help, your help is needed. Join the Scientology Volunteer Ministers disaster relief team.

Contact the VM coordinator for more information at vm@volunteerministers.org