Scenes from the 9/11 Memorial in Manhattan.Friday, August 31, 2012
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Homelessness has a face.
Six very different individuals came to the table with a common thread; ending homelessness.
Six hearts behaving quite formally. . . even an agenda to keep us on track. Each one connected to the local business community in a separate way, yet our threads were inevitably starting to link and the knot tied.
How do you create an awareness of homelessness? How do you create a desire in someone to become aware of something they fear? something they turn away from? something that touches one of our deepest fears as human beings. Homelessness. Literally - to not have a home. Chronic? Episodic? First time? Tenth time? Addiction? Unemployment? Abuse?
Condensing our thoughts into a can. . . literally like condensed soup. Pulling the frayed ends of conversation together like the strings on 100 balloons. . . into a neat bundle that can be held. Wrapping up our time together and deciding where to go from here.What will cause someone to STOP. What will cause someone to PAUSE in their tracks and capture the message we are trying to portray?
Photography? 3D fiber art? Flat screen technology? Panel display? Decisions. Corporate Sponsors. Fund raising. Presentations. I.T. guru's. The list of needs goes on. The list of needs goes on. The list of needs for a homeless person goes on. and on. and on. and on.
It's always sunny in Colorado. A portion of the day is always sunny. While the snowflakes continued to fall, and the temperature dropped this afternoon, I could still feel the sun. As I drove into the parking lot, I glanced to my left. My heart always sinks when I see someone who is homeless . . . not out of fear or trepidation. . . but at the reminder that the situation is real. I consciously choose eye contact. I consciously choose, at that moment, to appreciate my car. . . my full stomach. . and my family.
I choose to embrace the human being in need who may not have a car. a full stomach. a family. I always have something to give. . . a kind word, a smile, a listening ear. a dollar?. . . today I gave a tarp. A tarp to sit on. A tarp to lay on to prevent the snow from soaking through. I pulled my car into a parking space and exited my car. . . walking over to the man huddled in a sleeping bag. . . I prayed that he could use what I had to offer.
Hello. Damn cold out today isn't it? Can you use a tarp to help keep dry? A bottle of water to stay hydrated?. . . . I am forever surprised at the positive responses I receive from homeless individuals. I'm fine. It's really only cold when it stops snowing and drops below Zero. Thank You. Yes, I can use this. Thank you. Thank You. Thank you.
Physically shaking from the cold I walked back to my car. This man feels the Colorado sunshine. See, the clouds had taken over and the sun was gone. . . snow engulfed us. This man knew that even though he could not see the sunshine - it was still there.
Six hearts behaving quite formally. . . even an agenda to keep us on track. Each one connected to the local business community in a separate way, yet our threads were inevitably starting to link and the knot tied.
How do you create an awareness of homelessness? How do you create a desire in someone to become aware of something they fear? something they turn away from? something that touches one of our deepest fears as human beings. Homelessness. Literally - to not have a home. Chronic? Episodic? First time? Tenth time? Addiction? Unemployment? Abuse?
Condensing our thoughts into a can. . . literally like condensed soup. Pulling the frayed ends of conversation together like the strings on 100 balloons. . . into a neat bundle that can be held. Wrapping up our time together and deciding where to go from here.What will cause someone to STOP. What will cause someone to PAUSE in their tracks and capture the message we are trying to portray?
Photography? 3D fiber art? Flat screen technology? Panel display? Decisions. Corporate Sponsors. Fund raising. Presentations. I.T. guru's. The list of needs goes on. The list of needs goes on. The list of needs for a homeless person goes on. and on. and on. and on.
It's always sunny in Colorado. A portion of the day is always sunny. While the snowflakes continued to fall, and the temperature dropped this afternoon, I could still feel the sun. As I drove into the parking lot, I glanced to my left. My heart always sinks when I see someone who is homeless . . . not out of fear or trepidation. . . but at the reminder that the situation is real. I consciously choose eye contact. I consciously choose, at that moment, to appreciate my car. . . my full stomach. . and my family.
I choose to embrace the human being in need who may not have a car. a full stomach. a family. I always have something to give. . . a kind word, a smile, a listening ear. a dollar?. . . today I gave a tarp. A tarp to sit on. A tarp to lay on to prevent the snow from soaking through. I pulled my car into a parking space and exited my car. . . walking over to the man huddled in a sleeping bag. . . I prayed that he could use what I had to offer.
Hello. Damn cold out today isn't it? Can you use a tarp to help keep dry? A bottle of water to stay hydrated?. . . . I am forever surprised at the positive responses I receive from homeless individuals. I'm fine. It's really only cold when it stops snowing and drops below Zero. Thank You. Yes, I can use this. Thank you. Thank You. Thank you.
Physically shaking from the cold I walked back to my car. This man feels the Colorado sunshine. See, the clouds had taken over and the sun was gone. . . snow engulfed us. This man knew that even though he could not see the sunshine - it was still there.
Monday, February 7, 2011
This afternoon I spent an hour being patient. . . during that hour I learned a bit about the ancient practice of Tai Chi. Our instructor said, "After 10 years of practice, a person can say they have been taught Tai Chi". she continued on, "After 20 years a person can say that they understand Tai Chi". . .and finally "After 20 years a person can say that they have learned Tai Chi". We were safe inside the four walls of the studio this afternoon. Just steps outside, there was chaos. Others exercising in the great American fashion. . . no pain no gain. when it hurts, you push through. sweat more, burn more, hurt more. STOP.
This afternoon while the sun was shining here in Colorado - well ok, it was peeking through the clouds - I spent an hour being patient. I entered the studio a foreigner, to both Tai Chi and this thing called patience, and came out with a greater appreciation of both. The ancient Chinese art of Tai Chi was life's gift to me today. . . The rich history. . . The strength and flexibility that must coexist . . . how this wondrous art form has the ability to end pain, strengthen muscles, rid the body of toxins, calm the mind. . . .calm the mind. . . calm the mind.
Today, I fled from the American way of exercising that I have been used to my whole life. Today I was given the gift of patience from my instructor . . and by her ability to embrace health and wellness on a spiritual level. No one took their heart rate, or squinted their eyes while lifting more weight than their body could possibly bear. . . eyes were focused, hearts were open, and the knowledge from years past flowed from my instructor to the class.
In my lifetime I will never know the secrets of Tai Chi, nor will I ever compete or even become what you might call "skilled" at this intricate art. I recognize the journey that will take place weekly as I grow. . . breathe. . . and learn the art of patience.
This afternoon while the sun was shining here in Colorado - well ok, it was peeking through the clouds - I spent an hour being patient. I entered the studio a foreigner, to both Tai Chi and this thing called patience, and came out with a greater appreciation of both. The ancient Chinese art of Tai Chi was life's gift to me today. . . The rich history. . . The strength and flexibility that must coexist . . . how this wondrous art form has the ability to end pain, strengthen muscles, rid the body of toxins, calm the mind. . . .calm the mind. . . calm the mind.
Today, I fled from the American way of exercising that I have been used to my whole life. Today I was given the gift of patience from my instructor . . and by her ability to embrace health and wellness on a spiritual level. No one took their heart rate, or squinted their eyes while lifting more weight than their body could possibly bear. . . eyes were focused, hearts were open, and the knowledge from years past flowed from my instructor to the class.
In my lifetime I will never know the secrets of Tai Chi, nor will I ever compete or even become what you might call "skilled" at this intricate art. I recognize the journey that will take place weekly as I grow. . . breathe. . . and learn the art of patience.
A friend shared the Happiest video on Facebook this morning... The joy of BEing. Watching it made me realize all over again what really brings happiness. Material things? Things of this world? No . . . Happiness is a feeling - sheer joy - connecting, even though you speak a different language - reckless crazy energy that causes your body to burst into dance! Today, I am reminded that happiness comes from within.
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