My Foundation - Standing on Solid Ground

Everyone at some point has stumbled upon the phrase, “Be the change you want to see in the world.” Whether or not Gandhi did say those words, the fact that they are so often repeated in modern culture is a testament to their inherent wisdom. Now with Foundation Day just around the corner, each Unificationist is taking his/her own approach to preparing for it. One’s contribution to this momentous day could involve the individual, the family or even the entire community—whatever the case, it’s one’s unique way of offering their efforts to God that makes each contribution invaluable.

MY FOUNDATION

O BY JAGA GAVIN ver the past few years, I have had the opportunity to travel all across the country and the world. Everywhere I go, my international community welcomes me into their homes and Jaga Gavin is a carpenter makes me feel like family. They drive me through their neighborhoods and take me hiking, and member of the dining at the local hot spots, fishing in streams, eating exotic fruits, surfing, playing games… and then ministry and education at some point we get to talking. team at HSA–UWC, where he connects with local A common question that comes up in these conversations—and that is on many people’s minds pastors to communicate their needs. around the world—is, “What is going to happen on Foundation Day?” There are many uncertainties surrounding this historical day, and with all the apocalyptic T.V. Shows like the Walking Dead, He lives in Bloomfield, Jericho, and The Colony, people seem to get carried away with their ideas and thoughts about the New Jersey with his wife, future. Tamara Gavin.

Will Foundation Day be like these end–of–the–world theories, or will it be the start of a new era? Is it going to involve external changes on this planet, or is it purely internal in nature? What does Foundation Day mean for our community and the world? What does Foundation Day mean for you?

What do you think is going to happen on February 22, 2013? For a printable version of this worksheet to use for Sunday school, Youth Ministry, small groups, or personal use, visit UClifestylemagazine.com

What images does Foundation Day EXERCISE bring to mind?

magazine · vol. 1, issue 6 · Winter 2012 On foundation day, my family will:

My community will:

perspectives

My response to these questions is, “Well, on Foundation Day I think I’m going to wake up, go to the bathroom, brush my teeth…” The point is, February 22, 2013— Foundation Day—is not the end. It’s the beginning.

I used to build houses, and there usually was a lot more work to do after the foundation was laid. The foundation is just the first step, and from a strong foundation will come a strong house. God and True Parents—the Reverend and Mrs. Sun Myung Moon— alongside many saints and sages of past days and present days have laid a solid foundation. Now, it is up to us to build the rest of the house together.

“So what is the foundation?” I have heard that follow- up, I have pondered on it, and this is what I realized; Instead of wrestling with this big question, think about what your own personal foundation can be in helping to build a better world—what we call Cheon Il Guk, or God’s Kingdom.

What is my personal foundation? What am I personally offering as a foundation before God, True Parents, and this world?

MY VALUES EXERCISE My top 3 values in life are:

1. 2. 3. MY GOALS To actively manifest one or more of these values in my life, my main goal is to:

I don’t think it is something True Parents want to define Physically, I will exercise and work out, keeping this precious gift (my body) for us. In fact, I think they are waiting for us to define in good, working condition and honoring my body as a place in which God can what it is for us on a personal level. That is when real dwell. ownership happens, and that is when True Parents can become truly proud. I have seen the greatest joy in my And finally, my social foundation of balance is to connect to my family and parents’ eyes when I made decisions on my own which friends—the people who have loved and supported me throughout the years. brought honor and love to them. I have been too busy recently to include them as a part of my life, but that is now changing. At the end of the day, we still have our own personal responsibility. What we need to ask ourselves is, “What For me, balance is about priorities. It may seem selfish to some, but how can foundation am I taking responsibility for?” Imagine if I share the love and message of God and True Parents effectively if I am not each of us defined our own personal foundation and then in balance? How can we build a house on a foundation that is not solid, level, together offered everything up on February 22, 2013. and square? How glorious could we make Foundation Day? This is the foundation I am working on to offer up on February 22, 2012. It My personal foundation is to bring balance back into my is my prayer and hope that my foundation can be offered up together with life: my spiritual, physical and social life. I am going to lay True Parents’ foundation and yours’ . Make Foundation Day personal to you. the foundation of balance. Ask yourself, “What is going to be my personal foundation?” and imagine the house God is going to build on top of this foundation.

It’s going to be beautiful. On the spiritual level, I will connect to my Heavenly Parent more deeply and regularly, letting God’s love flow unrestricted through me. I will also develop my hobbies—such as woodworking—

magazine · vol. 1, issue 6 · Winter 2012 which contribute to my spiritual balance and are important to me. How will I change the world What aspects of this goal, beyond my personal gain, can benefit…

perspectives My friends? I COMMIT TO MY GOAL, AND FOUNDATION TO BUILD A BETTER WORLD.

My community? SIGNATURE:

The world? X

…Where do I begin Begin with God. We all develop a relationship with God in

How do I our own way, and this relationship stems from a place within us that

connect with God is organic and sincere. Understanding this authentic, personal style of connecting to God helps you develop ways to bring God into every facet of INTELLECTUAL Loving God with the Mind: You feel closest to God as your life. Not only do you discover you come to understand Him and gain knowledge about His Creation and His Words. how you connect to God, you discover how God connects to CONTEMPLATIVE Loving God through Adoration: You feel closest to you—how God communicates God in quiet reflection as you express your pure, joyful love for Him. with you and feels joy through your life. The following nine categories ENTHUSIAST Loving God in Celebration: You feel closest to God through are the different Spiritual Styles active devotion and inspiration from moment–by–moment experiences. through which your relationship with God may flourish. You may CAREGIVER Loving God by Loving Others: You feel God’s heart when you are serving others and caring for people in need. already know your style, but if not, you can find out by taking the ACTIVIST Loving God through a Cause: You feel closest to God as His Spiritual Style Survey online at Warrior, fighting a battle against evil or injustice. UClifestylemagazine.com. ASCETIC Loving God in Simplicity: You feel God through solitude and prayer, letting go of material distractions in order to focus on the internal.

TRADITIONALIST Loving God through Tradition: You feel God in rituals, symbols, and sacred experiences, which throughout history have built a disciplined devotion for God.

SENSOR Loving God with the Senses: You feel closest to God as you are entirely enveloped in His Sound, His Image, His Smells—you can feel His Splendor and Beauty through your senses.

NATURALIST Loving God through Nature: You feel closest to God in the places and things that God Himself has created.

What can I do next? Based on my spiritual style(s), some action steps I can take to build up from my foundation are:

magazine · vol. 1, issue 6 · Winter 2012 perspectives

WHO CAN HELP ME? To hold myself accountable for my Foundation Day offering, I will share my vision with: