Generous Mind #2 - Maureen Connolly
Learn about Maureen's work here.
Share one thing about yourself that you want the reader to know:
I love horses and horseback riding and look forward to working with rescue horses when I have more time. I also would love to produce a benefit music concert on the stable grounds to support the effort - featuring my absolute favorite Americana Musicians.
I appreciate that every life is an unprecedented experiment. My journey is mine alone, so I stopped asking for directions. There is no map. We are all pioneers, enjoy the adventure.
Favorite Book:
“Behind the Beautiful Forevers: Life, Death & Hope in a Mumbai Slum” is a beautiful non-fiction book that looks at the contrast behind the luxury and poverty in a slum in India. The stories are real, based in immersive reporting by Katherine Boo. The poverty, corruption, inequality, and harsh reality does not make it an easy read, but the sense of hope and goodness comes through as well. I especially love the title, it is based on an advertisement for Italian Tiles - Beautiful Forever - that separates a luxury hotel from the slum.Favorite Song:
This one is easy. As long as I can remember I have been singing "This Little Light of Mine”. It brings a smile to my face and can serve as a calming influence to sing softly when stepping into stressful situations. I am particularly fond of the version by the Soweto Gospel Choir.
Favorite Movie:
The Way is a drama directed by Emilio Estevez and starring Martin Sheen about the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage. This movie was my inspiration to train and walk the Camino de Santiago. It’s hard to describe the impact of a movie that influences a commitment to change your life, but this movie and my Camino pilgrimage brought me a renewed commitment to my own well-being, a fierce connection to spirit that has never dimmed, and a true belief that anything is possible - even if it is hard.
Favorite Historical Figure:
My favorite historical figure and influence has been Eleanor Roosevelt. I often thought of her as I was planning the 75th Anniversary of the United Nations and her influence on human rights. I love the idea that Eleanor was part of the founding of the United Nations, and was given an assignment to write the Universal Declaration on Human Rights - still used around the world today.
My favorite quote is “Surely, in the light of history, it is more intelligent to hope rather than to fear, to try rather than not to try. For one thing we know beyond all doubt: Nothing has ever been achieved by the person who says, ‘It can’t be done.’”
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