Monday, October 20, 2008

The heart is a bloom


Had two distinct experiences today. In the afternoon, I went to a seminar called "Empowering Neighbourhoods". Very inspiring. In a nutshell, it was about focusing on our neighbourhood's strengths and drawing upon them to improve the sense of community. How to get funding for projects, how to make things inclusive and diverse, power to the people and all those other positive messages. Pretty much heard it before but it was packaged a bit differently with some more tangible info. Started the wheels turning about space for community gardens, after-school programs...it just takes one person to get the proverbial ball rolling yo. Grassroots. Since the economy is busted up, things are getting rougher, people out of jobs, parents can't afford recreation activities for their kids. We need to work together and give each other a hand up.

Tonight I went to see three independent short films about the drug trade in Iraq & Afghanistan. Brothers of Kabul (two young twenty something brothers addicted to opium, living in burned out buildings on the street of Kabul), Gol Pary (a 12 year old Afghan girl addicted to heroin), and Hidden in Dust (drug addicted homeless women in Iran). It was a real pick-me-up.

Exposing myself to these things helps me to keep things in perspective. I do it purely for selfish reasons I guess. I'm curious, I like to learn. I feel strongly about not commenting on things I know nothing about and I like to give my four two cents, therefore I learn. I always want to be a better person, and most importantly, parent. So I'm on a learning quest. It's what I like to do, and what I know how to do. Knowledge and reflection helps me to search for truths. To figure out where I want my life to go from here.

There are many thoughts and emotions I've had today, most of which aren't worth sharing. I guess the central message I got is this: people need connection. Be kind, be helpful, smile, have fun, protect and cherish your children and loved ones, be accepting and don't judge. Always carry hope, because human beings are actually pretty amazing sometimes. Maybe even a lot of the time.



9 comments:

Unknown said...

A good message here. Sound thinking. The kind of thinking more people ought to consider. Oh, and as for the kids - i have heard it said that "Human beings are happiest when they are active and creative - when they feel they are making a contribution to the world."

There is some kind of Art in everyone, I think, but especially in kids. Encourage their Art. Whatever it is. Keep them happy.

Anti-Supermom said...

I agree with the 'real pick-me-up' part...

There are days when you just know that you've learned something about yourself which of course means you learned something about others.

You wrote down your feeling so well, yet again~

Anonymous said...

The way you juxtapose the words with the grass makes me think of compassion, and willingness to bend. If we don't, we will break. I think about those that are breaking as we speak, I want to be better for this world. I don't know....

Anonymous said...

Great post, amazing pictures. The first one is brilliant.

Tara R. said...

'people need connection. Be kind, be helpful, smile, have fun, protect and cherish your children and loved ones, be accepting and don't judge."

This is a rocking lesson to take away with you. Awesome photos too.

Tammie Lee said...

Sounds like you had a full day of experiences. I like the idea of focusing on a neighborhoods, persons, our own strengths. I like the idea of focusing on finding solutions over being fearful of the worst may be about to happen which is running rampant in the USA now.
Your images and heart is wonderful!

Anonymous said...

Wonderful sentiment and lovely photos.

Angel said...

damn, those would be some depressing movies!!! But good messages, I guess.

great photos!!! as always....

vinny said...

It does do wonders for others when you are kind.

Unfortunately nobody ever actually does it.

Ok I'm exaggerating a bit.