Jambo's JUMBO JUMBLE is a book for those wishing to receive daily inspirations and seeking ways to apply them into their lives. At the same time thought-provoking and fun(ny), it accesses a broad range of thinkers, past and present, integrating their ideas and encouraging the reader to conceive ways of applying these ideas to his or her life through the author's comments and questions. As a whole, the book focuses on 12 pairings of "soulscapes" as follows: The Self Cultivating Deliberations January: Education and Reflection (Meditation) February: Appreciation (Enchantment) and Fun March: Love and Compassion April: Non-Violence (Forgiveness) and Sustainability Spurring the Inner Contemplations Outward May: Universal Ideals and Unity (Oneness) June: Purpose and Persistence July: Dignity and Inclusion August: Integration and Connection Getting Real - The Cultivated Spirit Brought into Physical Reality September: Spirit and Nature October: Envisioning (New paradigms) and Faith (Hope) November: Action and Leadership (Proactivity) December: Empowerment and Creating This treasure grove, with one page for each day of the year, provides a daily diet of Visual delights, with nature-based pictures (the pictures all come from natural areas in and around Tokyo Japan, which is where the author carries out his Jambo network and activities) Inspirational writings by well-known people from many different fields, carefully chosen for their merit in moving people towards more soul-searching, hope, and living out a more spiritually cultivated life Comments regarding the pictures and writings and questions to the readers on how to live a more creative and empowered life A well-balanced combination of playful ideas intertwined with easy-to-do thought and action proposals The pictures all come from natural areas in and around Tokyo Japan, which is where the author carries out his Jambo network and activities. There is a complete picture bibliography describing where the pictures were taken, so this can serve as a travel guide for those wishing to visit that region. There is also a full reference and bibliography section where the reader can find the sources of the writings to pursue more in-depth reading., In addition to this daily feast, there are attractive drawings scattered within these pages and an offer for you to start contacting others with similar aspirations to live out the ideals herein and build a better world. In short, this guide grants the reader a range of options: To go on a personal sojourn of reflection To go a step further and attempt to put into practice answers to the potentially life-altering questions To take the ultimate challenge and get into contact with others wishing to pursue more whole-heartedly the ideas in this book through the suggested contacts provided To use the pictures as a catalyst to visit Japan and use the author's knowledge of that beautiful country to explore its wonders Fun and personal enrichment awaits you herein, as you start your own journey into a more uplifting future.
About the Author: David Howenstein is one of those rare breeds who has never worked "full-time" but has had good fortune in molding his own career. While it remains questionable whether his inability to "fully fit in" is due to his quirky character or his need to be free, some will claim that he serves as an inspiring example for those who are disciplined and motivated to do something stimulating but practical with their lives. Living in Japan and founder of a one-of-a-kind "Having Fun Doing Good" network, he has been written up in Japanese newspapers, magazines, and books. In the process, his desire to share his unquenchable thirst for learning and building a more sustainable world, both fun-filled and spirit-instilled, led him on a three year journey culminating in his first book--Jambo's JUMBO JUMBLE. Born in 1960 and raised in a suburb of St. Louis, MO (USA), he enjoyed exploring the nearby woods in search of fellow living entities. After high school and a period of "quality floundering time," he went on to major in Peace Studies, English, and Philosophy at Wilmington College, a small Quaker school in southwestern Ohio, where he was assistant editor of the school newspaper and wrote a column called "The Quavering Quest." His interests in spirituality and service work come largely from his Roman Catholic upbringing and the Quaker influence during his college years. He then went to Nagasaki, Japan to work as an English teacher at the YMCA for a few years before traveling around the world to find out what he wanted to do when he "grew up," only to discover that there's no such condition--it's a never-ending process. After a two-year stint at Ohio University, completing his MBA and MAIA (International Affairs) programs, he returned to Japan (Tokyo) for five years as a free-lance teacher. His passion for nature and seeking ways to empower the disadvantaged moved him to take a two-year "sabbatical" traveling between Japan, the US and Eastern/Southern Africa, visiting over 100 organizations working with development and environmental issues. In the process, he came to realize his longing to return to Japan and set up an organization that brings people into contact with nature while supporting organizations, especially in Africa (where the need seemed greatest), which are working to improve the poor's living conditions at the same time as preserving/restoring the natural environment. This desire led him to found Jambo International in Tokyo in January, 1996. As of this writing, he continues his teaching while serving as the Director of the JAMBO Network, which is made up of Jambo International Japan, Jambo School, and Jambo Volunteers. He is also the co-founder of Jambo International Inc. in the USA, a non-profit organization attempting to set up chapters which carry out activities benefiting the natural environment and society simultaneously. David hopes that this book will be the beginning of developing close connections with others who also envision the embodiment of the reflections herein and the "Having Fun Doing Good" concept that lies at the heart of JAMBO.