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From: William Gibbons Jr |
Greetings to all, This was sent to both my mailing lists. If you are on both, you have received it twice. The message is the same. Recently, that inner voice we all have reminded me of a poem I wrote in 1986 titled Nothing To Offer. It was in order to give a copy of it to three new friends as a way of explaining some of my life and philosophy. Just this week it occurred to me, perhaps I should be sharing it with all of you as well. I would have hoped my life would have already illustrated the words of the poem, and you would know, but maybe not. |
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Twenty years ago, listening to God, I got Donna and I into a debt-free position as I was embarking on what would become the Teaching & Sharing Centers. The result of walking away from credit as a way of life, was that we barely experienced any change this last recession, in spite of being on the low end of the middle class spectrum. It is frustrating to see so many go without around the world, when I have so little in resources to help. But, worse than that, would be to find out that any of you were going hungry, while I had food on my table. I know most of you do not live close by enough to come and sit at my table, but you would be welcomed. Whether you are in one of my life circles because you are family, friends, or simply because we share common interests, matters not. It would still distress me greatly to discover you went without, when I would have been happy to share whatever I had with you. Those words I wrote in 1986 were not just meant to sound like a lofty goal, they were a commitment to a way of life. I would hope you can feel my heart in this so closely you would never feel funny letting me know an invitation to my table would help. Even if you live too far away, I do not know what I could do, but I would like to hear the situation in case we could come up with something, or help in finding other assistance. I truly believe that God has given me whatever I have. He did so with the instructions to share. I listened. Be well. God’s peace, william P.S. A copy of the poem is also attached as a PDF file. _____________
My computer is usually kept turned off from sundown on Friday (beginning of the Sabbath) until very late on Sunday (end of the Lord's Day). Therefore, I typically do not see, nor have the opportunity to act on, reply to, or send, emails except on weekdays. Plus, I normally only check emails once each weekday morning, so later emails are not seen until the next day (or Monday if sent on a Friday). Please keep this in mind when deciding whether to email or phone. I am not on Facebook, Twitter, or any other online social media site. So, in addition to creating and maintaining the wsharing.com website (have you visited it lately?), I currently maintain two emailing lists for sending information, updates, and greetings: atow/CBTC email list (formerly the poet’s circle) keeps you apprised of basic information from a touch of william and Cherokee Bill's Teaching & Trade Center, as well as updates, changes, and new additions to my wsharing.com (.org and .net) website. This is my own separate list from the T&SC corporate list (the poet’s circle). Simply reply to my email address to request addition to or removal from my atow/CBTC list. My personal Family & Friends email list is used primarily for holiday greetings or other more home life related communications and information, although very occasionally I might use it along with the atow/CBTC list to announce something important which is related to my work. Simply reply to my email address to request addition to or removal from my Family & Friends list. Those on my F&F list normally receive a birthday greeting by email. If you are receiving other F&F emails but not a birthday e-card, I probably do not have your birthdate in my files. Please provide me with the date. I would very much like to acknowledge your birthday. If, for any reason, you feel the need to be removed from either or both of my lists, this is fine, just let me know. All I ask is that you please not designate my emails as 'spam.' They are not that. Doing so could sidetrack them for others who wish to receive my emails. I have never sent spam and never will. If you are on my list(s), it is because you requested it, or our prior contact or relationship seemed to deem it appropriate (such as merging our Christmas card list into the F&F list). Helping to identify and stop spam: All emails from me clearly state the topic in the subject line. If there are any links, the complete URL is shown and the reason for the link described in the body of the letter. If I am including any attachments, they will be identified and mentioned in the body of the letter as well. When mailing to either of the above mentioned lists, I always use the blind carbon copy (Bcc) line so your email address does not appear in the email. My address books are kept only in my computer and not online anywhere. I do not forward petitions, lists, or similar items that show addresses, as these can be bogus attempts by spammers to collect them.
If you add me to a list of yours, or whenever you are sending me multiple recipient emails, I would appreciate it if you would please use my wsharing.com@gmail.com email address. It is my most public address. If you are replacing a working computer system or laptop with a newer one, live locally enough to drop your old one off at the Center (or have it picked up), and would like to donate it to my a touch of william outreach rather than try to find where to recycle or dispose of the old one, I freely place functioning used systems (Windows XP or later operating systems) with my slide shows into nature centers, museums, and other places where they are desired. Call me (627-7366) if you have a system or laptop to donate. |
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