Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Monday, June 14, 2010
21 Days
21 days. The number of days we are fasting as an organization for GenerateHope. We will be fasting from June 13 - July 3.
During this time we will be doing a liquid fast (coffee, juices, smoothies) and will be considering what it's like to lose a basic human right. That right for us will be in the form of food. Something so basic that we don't consider it a right, but a given.
The women we work with lost their basic right to choose their sexual partner. Lost the right to say "No" to sleeping with men they have never met. Lost their freedom to be young and worry about clothes and schoolwork; instead they have had to worry about who their next "client" would be. And how many men would visit their bed during the day.
As we fast together we think about the millions of women, children and boys who have had to suffer through modern-day slavery. We consider the change we want to see in this world and the opportunities we have to make a difference.
We give up food so that they know we see them, that we hear them, and that we are here to help.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
The Possibilities of Joy
There is an overwhelming joy inside of me that is unexplainable. I've been realizing lately how blessed I am. This feeling is a reminder of the transformation that has taken place in me, forgetting the past pains and moving onto bigger adventures.
On Tuesday I stood outside of our friend's house overlooking the Bay. We grilled hamburgers, ate Ruffles dipped in ranch and devoured homemade cookies and Oreos. As I looked around at all the new friends I had made since moving to San Diego I understood one thing. This was happiness.
I've come so far from and have seen and experienced so much. I was told this week that I "have a vibrant attitude towards life and it's contagious." Had this person been in my life only two years ago, I am confident her comment would not have existed. It's because of this that I began thinking about my short time in San Diego and how it has given me a new hope and appreciate for life.
I am truly blessed and not in a wealth sense. I have less money than I did a year ago and am struggling to pay bills monthly. But living, truly living, is much more than having money to spend on lattes, cocktails and new clothes. Give me my $3 t-shirts and $1 dresses from Amvets thrift-store any day!
The main difference in my life has been my dedication to following my dreams. Doing what I could to work with women who have been trafficked has radically changed my outlook on our world. Each day is a new day full of possibilities and arguing over the small things is hardly worth a bitter heart.
I have bad days. Of course I do. But how can I grow if I don't get challenged? I welcome the hard stuff, bring it on, I've fought through a lot and have made it out joyful.
There is a joy inside of me that will not be wasted on worrying about the future. Here I am, living only for today. Full of happiness.
On Tuesday I stood outside of our friend's house overlooking the Bay. We grilled hamburgers, ate Ruffles dipped in ranch and devoured homemade cookies and Oreos. As I looked around at all the new friends I had made since moving to San Diego I understood one thing. This was happiness.
I've come so far from and have seen and experienced so much. I was told this week that I "have a vibrant attitude towards life and it's contagious." Had this person been in my life only two years ago, I am confident her comment would not have existed. It's because of this that I began thinking about my short time in San Diego and how it has given me a new hope and appreciate for life.
I am truly blessed and not in a wealth sense. I have less money than I did a year ago and am struggling to pay bills monthly. But living, truly living, is much more than having money to spend on lattes, cocktails and new clothes. Give me my $3 t-shirts and $1 dresses from Amvets thrift-store any day!
The main difference in my life has been my dedication to following my dreams. Doing what I could to work with women who have been trafficked has radically changed my outlook on our world. Each day is a new day full of possibilities and arguing over the small things is hardly worth a bitter heart.
I have bad days. Of course I do. But how can I grow if I don't get challenged? I welcome the hard stuff, bring it on, I've fought through a lot and have made it out joyful.
There is a joy inside of me that will not be wasted on worrying about the future. Here I am, living only for today. Full of happiness.
Bring on the Evidence of my Life
I hear a quiet stirring. A shift in the air stimulates my senses. I see a change coming and my heart sees its rhythm and beats faster, faster and faster still. Our generation is ready, with wills stronger than we knew, with ambitions higher than we thought we'd pursue. Our minds cannot be quieted our souls cannot be hushed.
More and more I hear of twenty-somethings leaving everything behind to help the needy. I've seen passion ignited in friends to step-up and make their lives count. The time is now, our world is suffering and we have the tools to begin working towards peace, unconditional love, and redemption of those who have been oppressed.
More and more I hear of twenty-somethings leaving everything behind to help the needy. I've seen passion ignited in friends to step-up and make their lives count. The time is now, our world is suffering and we have the tools to begin working towards peace, unconditional love, and redemption of those who have been oppressed.
She is committed. She is standing up. He is signaling a renaissance that has already begun. We are rallying the troops.
I found this song yesterday and have listened to it non-stop since.
"What a day to be alive/What a day to realize I'm not dead/What a day to save a dime/What a day to die trying"
"Bring on the evening hours, I cry/Bring on the evidence, of my life"
Together we are strong. Together we are one. Together we will change the world. What a day to make a difference. When my eyes close for the last time, I want people to see the evidence of my life and know that I did the best I could to make this life better for others. We've got one life, live it well and live for others. What makes your heart beat?
I found this song yesterday and have listened to it non-stop since.
"What a day to be alive/What a day to realize I'm not dead/What a day to save a dime/What a day to die trying"
"Bring on the evening hours, I cry/Bring on the evidence, of my life"
Together we are strong. Together we are one. Together we will change the world. What a day to make a difference. When my eyes close for the last time, I want people to see the evidence of my life and know that I did the best I could to make this life better for others. We've got one life, live it well and live for others. What makes your heart beat?
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
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