In a society where things are pushed under the rug and the masses turns a blinds eye to a constant struggle in society. Each and every one of us has had an “Eyes Wide Shut” moment in our lives whether it was personal, work related or tribe oriented. There are times that we don’t want to get involved but knowingly apparent that the actions or reactions are not right! I guess that I can say within my life the tribe that I belonged to have the syndrome not just on strangers but within. My experience with this was a life changing or should I say life altering aspect of who I was and what I have become in my life. In accordance of the law of love thy neighbor where does the love go? Where did it come to pass that it is every man, woman and child that are for themselves! I thought as a society that we as a people have a sense of humanity a sense of what I have is mine and I am not willing to share. There are too many times that we strive to be the very best that we perceive ourselves to be slowly separating ourselves from the very foundation that we derived from. This is the time of year where there is no difference in the day, time, month or situation that we tend to give ourselves a reality check to help our fellow man, woman and child. Why is it that hearts are opened up and giving becomes the new way to be for the month of December? When you look at it, it seems to be a little hypocritical in a way as the helping and acknowledging our fellow man, woman and child should be in the forefront of our hearts and minds everyday of our lives. But why is it that this one month out of the year that we want to acknowledge this as the title seems to be so unfitting as in the “less fortunate”. What is or why would we tag that set of words to a situation or a being…it seems so very shallow and demeaning. Instead of putting a title to it why not go into action and make a change in their lives. Why not give them hope and encouragement throughout the year and not give an out pouring of love and understanding one month and then disappear for the remaining 11 months that precedes after that. How do we let them know that we are here for them throughout the year…?
I happened to fall into a scenario via a question that was asked in relation to collecting toys for children’s as some will refer to as Toys for Tots. As this gesture and program has been around in my world but in this region where I am it is non-existent. Holidays of this magnitude that is celebrated in the states are not here. So, an idea, suggestion a wanting turned into a heavenly phone call that was placed to a work associate that lead me to a religious sect. After numerous calls Pastor Allen answered the call and the miracle began to take form as he said his prayers were answered and that I was “The Angel” with the message (such a wonderful way to say it)! The conversation went from Toys to unimaginable events that women are dealing with while making a living to make a better way for their families from a distance. In their Pursuit of Happiness that was promised to them they took a journey to another land for employment to only find suppression and neglect. Your new job in which was sprinkled with promise and advancement to provide a better life for your family back home you now find inequality and inability. From being in charge of your own existence to now being a part of a family where you are non-existent. You are expected to work around the clock 24 hours 7 day a week 365 days a year. You are expected to be a mother, wife, grandmother, nanny, servant and so much more. Just think about this in the biggest way that you can in a world where all of those functions are performed by an individual as you are expected to take on all of those identities. So with those titles comes cooking, cleaning, babysitting etc., and we haven’t even touched the expectations from what the wife and the husband of the family expects of you as well! At that point you have to be imagining what have I gotten myself into but then again I can do this because I am taking care of my family to give them a better life…So you continue to work and try to be the very best that you can but all you get is negativity, maybe get hit which becomes repetitive and to a state of being abused. How could you have ever dreamed of being in that state of being when you were a child? When you were asked “what do you want to be when you grow up” did this scenario ever cross your mind.
For myself I can say no but for the many that I laid my eyes on at the Embassy I am sure that they would also like to say no. But in reality they cannot because they were living that life expressed above but escaped to gain asylum to a place of peace where they exist with only the clothes on their backs, shame in their hearts, troubled minds and feeling as if they are alone (and that is in a crowded room). How could I ever even imagined that I would experience this opportunity to see, feel and touch them who are just like me as in a human being. The ages ranged from young to old and there only connection was that they were the same nationality. Each one has a story to tell…A story that they will not willingly want to share because the shame is just too much to consume within their souls. How do you reach deep down into your existence and gain back your soul. How do you reach out for help when you feel there is none? How do you unsilence your voice when no one can hear you speak? How do you learn to live again…?
The very small gesture that I was able to participate in was in the form of necessities in a physical sense blankets, toiletries, and clothes and shoes that I had and wanted to give and a holiday cake. How did I know that I would be able to touch about 180 women that I would see 360 eyes and ears that would look and hear for motivation and inspiration? It was at that time that a smile, kind word, a hug would mean so very much for them.
Because within the sand there are the forgotten ones that got away. The ones that dug so deep to know that although this was not what I asked for or wanted they knew that there was so much more. So much more for them that don’t end here where they are today. For the 180 woman that I gazed my eyes upon I wondered what I could give them to soothe their souls…to ease their minds. How could I let them know that I understand and that I am here even though I have not experienced what they did but I have felt in my lifetime ~
Pain
Disrespect
Verbal abuse
Looked Down Upon
Not being good enough
Not given words to inspire
Or feeling like you have no hope….
So my answer, my test, my path, my journey via the higher power was to embrace the moment, the place, the vibe, the essence of that space of time.
I began to feel an inner glow and a sense of a specialness that was sent from the most high. The whisper in my ear was “You were chosen, you are an angel, you are blessed – Be Dawn”!
For this holiday season please give of yourself in an unselfish way. When you think of buying gifts think of a gift that you can give to someone who would not expect it a simple gesture of kindness~ buying a coffee for someone at your local store without them even knowing it. How about reaching out to elderly families in your community with cookies, candy and conversation maybe you will learn something to add to your recipe of life. It is not just about people who are in need because to be honest we all need something to continue to evolve in life. We all are lacking in some way…Yes, we are not perfect! But what we do have or should have is compassion for one another. If we continue to be selfish with our money, time, experiences and lessons learned…how we can transcend our being to the next level.
It is not about who has the most or who doesn’t! It is about giving not just for the month of December it is every day of your life. There are tons of things that are free a smile, handshake, kind words, gratitude, and thankfulness for example. I am sure that you can add on the list.
This experience has taught me a lot as in strength, persistence and endurance as human beings. But in that message I also received this message below for myself to embrace:
DAWN ~ You have always toned yourself Dawn to appease to the masses to not be talked about or looked down upon. You didn’t want to stand out or be noticed ever. But guess what that is part of your gift! You shine like no other even when you don’t want too. It is from the inside out like a beacon from above. You have your permission to shine Dawn…YOU HAVE YOUR PERMISSION TO SHINE!!! (Thanks Elisabeth Grace you are awesome) ~ Hey Peri miss ya xoxo!
