On March 7, in the community that I live in Chicago, there was a festival celebrating the "International Women's Day" where my friend invited me to make a presentation of what I do as a part of the Reiyukai activity.
That day in the event, there were many paintings that were painted by women participating in a gallery. As a Reiyukai, I was also able to present the crafts that were made in the workshop. Within the event, I had the opportunity to share a little of what I have lived in Reiyukai.
I explained that since 4 years ago I am a member of an organization that came from Japan and how important it is for me to be participating in their activities. I also commented about the Family Day Festival that we organized where we had a special guest whose name was Prof. Hibiki. He talked about global warming and the importance of recycling and how recycling can help make this planet clean.
I was also able to share my own experience of what I have learned throughout the workshop. I commented that it helped me to feel more confidence in myself to value myself as a person and as a woman and also the people around me.
I shared that I could feel had a change in my family. I told them when I do one of the boxes that is when I realize how I am now because there are times that I get it all twisted or cannot make them at all. That is when I tell myself “today is not the ideal day to make boxes.”
Finally, I invited everyone to participate in the workshops so that they experience and live what I have experienced throughout these 4 years.
We continue to be active in Chicago to have more friends who can work together.
Report by Sonia Delgado, Chicago, IL