Open Circle
David Rosh will speak at the Lake Chapala Society in Ajijic, Sunday, May 1, on “The Universal Threshold to Life: The Experience of Grief and Loss.”
We all begin our life journey in a warm and protected space—the peace of our mother’s womb. It would seem the Creator intended for that amniotic universe to be paradise. What is true, paradise or not, is we all got evicted.
Rosh says he has “come to see that loss is the sine qua non for the journey. We are born via traumatic loss. We are endowed from the first moment with our most overlooked gift—our breath. Each new breath is born out of loss. Then, the newborn shows us that we come equipped with survival energies: pain, anger, fear and love. Although these energies have no moral value, when not honored, they can result in behaviorthat is ignoble, even villainous.
Our learning the healthy expression of these feelings transforms not just ‘paradise lost’ but the constant of loss into a journey toward wholeness. For most, if not all of us, a significant measure of those energies gets pushed down, ignored, rationalized, intellectualized, anesthetized through ignorance, addiction and/or dysfunctional programming.
Whatever has been your most recent or painful loss, I invite you to an eight-week experience of transforming that loss into liberation and empowerment. That’s your win. In exchange for this service, I ask that you gift the Lakeside Food Bank, following each session, with an amount of your choosing.”
Rosh began his work as a priest and teacher. After earning a master’s in social work from Rutgers University he made his career as a psychotherapist, licensed marriage counselor and certified family therapist. His postgraduate studies and passion continue to be the study of transpersonal psychology. He served as spiritual coach with Hospice of the Valley for eight years. For over 20 years he was a certified grief recovery specialist with Arizona Banner Hospice. He is a certified Infinite Possibilities Trainer.
Voter Registration
Democrats Abroad offers assistance for U.S. citizens with voter registration and absentee ballet requests for U.S. primaries and midterm elections Mondays 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at LCS in the Blue Umbrella patio.
Costco
Sign up or renew your Costco membership at LCS, Tuesday, May 3, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. A bus trip from LCS is heading to Costco, Wednesday, May 18.
What happens when you die?
The Fiscalia Especializada will give a presentation about what to do when someone dies on Friday, May 6, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the American Legion Post 7 Chapala. No reservations required. Open to members and guests.
Cruz Roja dialysis center
The Chapala Sunrise Rotary Club will take a field trip to the Chapala Cruz Roja dialysis center, Thursday, May 5, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Contact: President Barb Wilson, 376-766-0781 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Post life planning for pets
Ajijic and Lakeside communities are animal lovers. Expats and Mexican families are giving homes to many of the stray dogs and cats that have traditionally roamed the streets in record numbers. The question for older expats is what do we do with our pets when we can no longer care for them. The truth is many of us have pets who will outlive us. We are making end of life plans for ourselves. Are we making end of life plans for our pets?
Post Life Planning for Pets is a new program at Lakeside whose mission is to raise awareness about the need to plan. This is a program embraced by the animal rescue community as a way to minimize animals being dumped or abandoned when an owner dies. The program suggests guidelines for making a plan.
Crampton and Cindy Peters Zeier will give a discussion on this topic, offer conversation and answer questions about planning for pets at Open Circle, Sunday, May 15, 10:30 a.m. at the Lake Chapala Society.
Says Zeier, “Too often, we read of someone looking for a new home for their beloved pets when the person is already very ill or dying. Or someone here has died and the children are threatening to euthanize their parent’s pets. All the shelters are full with long waiting lists and this really isn’t where most people want their beloved pet to end up. We want people to think of viable alternatives.”
Help Caro Walk
A special fundraiser for Carolina “Caro” Lopez will be hosted by Milanie Sarciron at Mel’s Casa Social, Zaragoza 44, Saturday, May 21, from 4 to 7 p.m.
Come and enjoy this event and meet Carolina, a most amazing and engaging young woman, who recently had her second destroyed hip replaced after 29 years of enduring the loss of mobility and daily pain, caused by a freak accident, which happened when she was 12 years old.
Tickets, 400 pesos, are available at It’s Kinda Bazar in Riberas del Pilar, and with Bob Foster via his Facebook page – bob.foster.5055 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Each ticket includes buffet food service with a large variety of dishes, including vegan/vegetarian dishes, plus tapas and some desserts; a silent auction, 50/50 draws and door prizes. Dancing to music performed by Daniel Cordero and Victor Garcia.
Reservations for tables of four or six: 332-823-1507.
LCS classes
The Lake Chapala Society offers members many classes to make their lives at Lakeside more enjoyable and informed. Sign up either at the LCS office or online at the LCS website.
• The Mayan People will be presented by Ted Rogers, Monday and Wednesdays, May 2, 4, 9, 11 and 16, 1 to 2 p.m. at the pavilion.
• Mexican Manners by Alfredo Perez, May 4, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the pavilion.
• How to Manage Economic Inflation as an Expat Part II, by Ted Rogers, Thursdays, May 5 and 12, 1 to 2 p.m. at the pavilion.
• Introduction to Lakeside by instructor Rachel McMillen, on campus, May 9, 9 a.m. to noon or via zoom, May 13, 9 a.m. to noon.
• The Spanish Conquest of the Maya, by Ted Rogers, Mondays and Wednesdays, May 18, 23, 25 and 30, 1 a.m. to 2 p.m.