SpunOut.ie Blog

March, 2010

SpunOut.ie Blog: Fashion Fundraiser success

Zebra puts on brilliant show for SpunOut!

Article by : SpunOut.ie

SpunOut.ie wants to give a BIG shout out, high 5’s and hugs abound to the crew at Zebra and a massive host of other local businesses pitching in to glam up hair, make-up etc. for pulling off an amazing Fashion Fundraiser for SpunOut.ie! Over €1000 was raised on the night, which included funky fashion, cool tunes, and some lovely volunteer models strutting their stuff all for the sake of charity.

SpunOut.ie will make sure that this huge contribution is put to good use to help empower people across Ireland and to stir up some fresh and juicy positive social change!

If you are keen on raising much needed funds for Spunout.ie, drop a line to info@spunout.ie

Fundraising ideas

 

 

- The SpunOut.ie Crew

SpunOut.ie Blog: Peace of mind

Tapping into our inner wisdom.

Article by : SpunOut.ie

 

‘Spirituality’ can seem like one of those fuzzy abstract concepts that is tough to grasp or define... like happiness, beauty or a hangover we just know it when we see it. Different ideas, images and practices come to mind, an endless number of personalised beliefs and ways of seeing and being in this wonderful world. Break it down though, and we’re talking about the basic elements that connect us to ourselves, each other, the world, the universe and beyond.

In a world where we’re smacked with advertising, crammed with formal education, and bombarded with rules, spirituality can be a refuge to tap into our own inner fountains of wisdom to seek understanding and a yummy slice of peace of mind.

Here’s a little spirituality smorgasbord to nibble on:



"Playing For Change: Peace Through Music"

 

How to meditate

 

Relaxing Celtic nature sounds

 

Glenbarrow Eco Walk

 

Spirituality one smile at a time

 

Share your thoughts on all things spiritual by submitting content OR having a go in the SpunOut.ie Forum!

 

- The SpunOut Crew

SpunOut.ie Blog: Eire we go again

There is a fire in our bellies to survive and thrive.

Article by : SpunOut.ie

Street performer, Galway Arts Festival

There has been a lot of hype in the media recently (surprise surprise) about emigration and the Irish. Everything from Bill Cullen’s ‘molly-coddled’ Irish youth garbling, to hyped emigration figures, and the elusive ‘myth of mass emigration.’ A recent Irish Times expose on the issue described now as being the ‘golden hour’ for Ireland’s young, the period between the loss of a job and disillusionment and/or emigration.

 

My mobile message inbox snapshot seems to suggest that people, and young ones especially, are not just awakening to the current tough times. Our eyes are wide open. We are well aware of the situation, and cranking out inner resolve, adaptability and determination to rise above the recession with resilience and a bit of ‘feck this, I’m gonna make it work’ panache. Golden hour? I reckon we are a golden generation, one that can melt and reshape itself to fit the pressures of the times and still come out shining.

A peek at my message inbox:

  • “At home in bed. Got exam 2morrow for safe pass. Fun never ends.”
  • “App to Trinity complete...I’m gonna be 1 smart cookie!”
  • “Can’t come out. Only have 8 cents. Could be worse, Torres is back!”
  • “Recession discount: free walk on the Prom 2night...you want in?”
  • “Job interview 2morrow. Wish me luck!”


Now in fairness, there are some grumblings, raging and pure down and out ones in the mix:

  • “It’s 4am. Haven’t slept in days...too bored to even watch TV...”
  • “Can’t believe they’re getting rid of me... after all this time, feels like a divorce!”
  • “Countdown to Aus... kiss me arse Ireland!”


The point is: people the world round are doing their best to find a balance to the changes being hurled at us in all directions.  We may feel a bit clumsy, exhausted, bitter and even hopeless at times. This is okay and totally expected! Worrying about getting food in our bellies and decent roofs over our heads, let alone pursuing lifestyles and career paths that will bring us joy and a sense of purpose is big time stuff to navigate!

 

The important thing to keep in mind, is that most of us are in the same boat. So don’t feel like you’re on a solo mission to save your future. Look towards friends and wider online and offline communities for ways you can link in with others to share and develop ideas, dreams, projects and even businesses - our shared future. We don’t need those ‘in power’ to save us. We are the people. We have the power to save ourselves.

 

On a related note, there seems to be a lot of consultation with young people popping up at the moment, as demonstrated in various radio and TV programmes, public meetings, workshops etc. blah blah blah, etc. Nice gesture. I can think of another few gestures to give back in return.

 

The time for ‘youth consultation’ is over, and arguably never should have happened. How kind of you to ask us now what we think and to let us have a say about the way forward.

 

Whether you’re brave enough to stay put in Ireland, bold enough to pack up and make a go of things overseas, or changing your mind on the emigration question by the hour, we all share one deep commonality - there is a fire in our bellies to survive and thrive. Fair play to every single one of us for pursuing the happiness we rightly deserve. That hunger to succeed is a force to be reckoned with, especially when we join forces.

 

Check out the content floating around SpunOut over the next wee while to help support and inspire you to make choices about emigration, employment and genuine social change both here and abroad. 'Eire we go again?' is a question that only you can answer for yourself, but one that we can work on addressing together.

  • Get talking with others in the SpunOut FORUM

 

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