Red Bird
 
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Last week, Danielle Hope Hier, freelance writer and yoga instructor, stopped by The Garden to investigate what we're all about. She was moved and inspired to write about it:

"Ooooh...ohhh...I just went to this Sarra dance therapy class, and I'd love to cover it! Then there's this really awesome documentary being shown at the South Florida Museum, and a community art project where--"

This is the part of the conversation where I am shut down with a: "Yeaaahh...That's nice, but not really in our demographic."

For a long time, I tried to figure out how I could mold myself -- and my writing-- into well-defined demographics. Today, for the first time, instead of trying to understand a demographic that - up until now - I honestly thought I was supposed to be a part of, I asked myself, "What's MY demographic?"  

MY demographic is any type of artistic, community, and cultural event that supports mental, emotional and spiritual health.

Today I had the privilege of meeting with Jerry Jordan, Kimberly Rabow and Susan Boothby, cultivators of "The Garden Now", whose new online website offers these components. I'm writing this because I think you may be interested in either a) receiving their free online newletter of upcoming cultural events, or b) letting them know about what you're doing in the community, so that they might list you on their event calendar.

Lastly, I am moved by the Garden Now's mission, and plan on supporting that community effort by voluntarily writing about events that cultivate its, my and possibly your demographic.

Danielle Hope Hier
Birdland Yoga & Creative Arts LLC
www.birdlandyoga.com
941-526-6789

Current Affiliations:
www.thegarden-now.com
www.tampabay.metromix.com
www.instudioe.com
www.examiner.com

Posted in: Personal Growth
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Comments

Angie | Tuesday, November 04, 2008 |

Welcome to The Garden Danielle!

What a great concept - to look at our definition of the demographic we feel defines us. Often it seems we define ourselves into a niche that defines an aspect of us - Republican/Democrat/(or neither), New Thought or Traditional, Country Mouse or City Mouse. Most descriptions don't begin to express our complexity, richness and depth. It's one of the things I love most about The Garden's tag line - "A playground for the eclectic soul." That's me! I look forward to reading more of your posts and your discoveries of events and experiences in our community that grow mind, body and spirit.

Jerry Jordan | Thursday, November 06, 2008 |

Demographic just sounds so clinical. It makes me "Feel Like a Number" as Bob Seeger put it. And I think most of us have an aversion to that.
I have really come to prefer the word "tribe" instead of demographic. Tribe has so much more life and flexibility to it. It's not just about the statistics.

Thanks, Danielle and welcome to The Garden Tribe.
Danielle Hope Hier | Thursday, November 06, 2008 |

Hi Angie,

Thanks for the warm welcome! I've always liked when Tai Chi practitioners invite you to "play" for the same reason that you like "playground for the eclectic soul". :)

I love that we can be serious about spirituality, but not TOO serious.

Jerry,

I just like the word "demographic", because it makes me sound smart ;) Of course, I am liking the "Garden Tribe" for all the reasons you've described. I may have to come up with my own tribal name!

~Danielle

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