My World, The Brave, Silent Ones

Giving isn’t the easiest thing for us to do. It takes effort, whether we are donating money or our time for a cause. There is a very special breed out there that juggles work, having a secular life along with finding the time volunteer to help in the community. These people spend their evenings planning functions, showing up for events, working functions when they would rather be attending. These are the people who the bible calls “servants of others” who enjoy the soul giving that come from helping other people and serving for the greater good.

I have made it a personal mission to start to be a volunteer, to start serving others, in my quest for personal growth. I have met many people who have opened their hearts and found in it the ability to be the silent givers of our community. These are the ones who show up to set up, who give the gift of time and planning for our venues, who help out when they see a need. These are the people who do not get thanks, who don’t get recognized for all they do, who help make each function we attend, special and well run. The ones who attend every function so that the masses are there, who work on causes that should be near and dear to all of hearts, toiling many hours. These are the ones who also work in the non-profit field for less than standard pay, because they believe in what they do. These are the ones that are the first to rally to a cause.

The question that I face is what do I give? How can I complain about the issues in my community if I do not take an active part in changing it? How do I go about creating the change that I want to see? It is by showing up, by being there, by fighting alongside my brothers and sisters, even in the little things. It is by being at each event, by giving of my time and money to help, it is about acknowledging that change is created by each brick that we either build or tear down. It is in the little things that we do. It is by fighting apathy in every moment. It is by helping those who are already in the ditches fighting our collective battles. It is by learning, watching and, most of all, doing!

We are in a war of our lives, for our lives. Whether it is for the rights of all women, for our gay community, for the causes that are near and dear to each of our hearts, no matter what they are, we need to show up, ready to dig in and help!

If you know of someone in your circle who is a volunteer, thank them, spend a moment and see what they do and maybe, even just maybe, ask how you can help! You might surprise yourself and enjoy it, even if it is only for one function a month. Share the weight of change and see how much you are changed in the process. And as you volunteer, remember to smile and enjoy your gift, it is a wonderful feeling, giving just to give!

The World and My Herstory

My parents 50th anniversary is coming up and I am filled with awe and with a sense of sadness. I love them like they will be here forever, and yet there is those moments when the reality hits so hard, they won't and I don't know how I will deal with it!

My mother has an aneurism on her brain and needs to be careful, she is like a walking time bomb. I am becoming the expert in that topic also. I feel it is better to know everything about your enemy then to allow it to sneak up on you. She is in good spirits but she is also scared as she looks through a different viewpoint now, of what living and loving entails. I wonder how they look at each other and not cry, knowing that any day could be the last? I am in awe of the love that they share and that they feel for each other. I know a day will come when one of them is not here and on that day, I will lose another parent as well. I do not know if they could live without the other, or even maybe if they would want to. That speaks volumes as a testament to their love!

We are planning a party for our family for their anniversary. All the food that we enjoy, there will be excellent food, fantastic wine, good music and a whole hell of a lot of laughter and talking, it is what we do! I cannot wait to be there celebrating the moment when we all became family, those many years ago. I will video the whole evening and start a TV station so we can see it! I will post the link when it is done, ok?

Anyway, this has me thinking about my life and the things that I want in it and the people who I want in it! I don't want to settle for anything less than the love that my parents have. I can wait, I know it is out there, looking for me!

The world through the darkness

I have been collecting my thoughts of late and haven't been very vocal, hence I haven't posted for a while. I went on a cruise to Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Turks/Caicos and Half Moom Cay. We were on the Holland America Line and they were their usual wonderful. The sites were interesting. I swam in the deepest water that I have ever swam in (don't tell my mother) It was 7,000ft deep, it was in Turks and we swam to the edge of the "drop off" to the "Wall" where it drops way into the ocean. All I could think off was the tune "da dum, da dum..." It was interesting to see the royal blue turn into an indigo at your feet.

I have been sad lately, I think I might be depressed. It is a deep feeling of not belonging. I think that is natural when a person goes through changes. It is hard to see the end of the forest when one is lost within all the brambles and bushes that life has to offer. I ate dinner with friends last nite and we laughed so hard, they are so easy to be with. They cheered my spirits and they weren't even trying.

I am going to try some natural herbal remedies to see if that helps enhance my mood and helps me sleep a little better.