Ready for 2023

Looking out of my window and reflecting on this last day of 2022! I feel ready to walk into 2023 with a heart filled with gratitude and hope! Happy New Year, all!

Grateful for all the challenges we overcame together. 2022 was not easy from any perspective but nothing stopped us from taking the next desired step! It is on us if continue to focus on the challenges and the pain and suffering they brought or focus on how we moved forward to next steps in our lives! I am grateful to God, family, friends, work, new opportunities and connections! Grateful for being successful at the business love in this world! Grateful for the faithful peace that never left my heart no matter what happened, courtesy my creator! 

I am hopeful for what is coming in the next year and beyond: 

1. As an individual, I hope to continue to evolve and learn!
2. As part of my immediate and extended family, I hope for health and happiness for all us!
3. As part of my country and this world, I hope for peace and reconciliation. To my brothers, sisters and those who sail between being my brothers and/or sisters:
1. Let’s connect and chat regardless what makes us different or alike!
2. Let’s focus on more listening than reacting. Listen to listen!
3. Let's accept that is is ok for another human being to think differently. Different is different and not necessarily wrong!
4. Let's remember that change is the only constant. Sometimes change is too hard but we can allow ourselves to grow, evolve and transform just like the nature does as the seasons change!
5. Let's learn to be united while respecting each other's desired boundaries and identities!
6. Let's heal and flourish together! Sharing makes the food tastier and the time merrier! They say, no one ever became poor by sharing! Life is beyond what meets the eye and even the sky is not the limit!! Crawl, walk, run, fly, imagine... let's break the chains of hatred and control through the courage that comes from LOVE! 

Peace Is Possible.

Remember, We Are Free!

Yup, a lot of us are angry and disappointed. And possibly a lot among us are happy because the Supreme Court's decision of overturning Roe vs. Wade falls in line with our belief system. All emotions are valid because everyone has the right to have their own opinions and belief system. And precisely that is why my heart is heavy today because the decision today will prohibit thousands of young men and women from acting according to their needs and values. 

In the very core of my heart, I too believe in saving lives. From that perspective, one can call me pro-life! And I think we should do everything to save lives everywhere, which includes those of our enemies in foreign countries where we wage wars and of those who we deport to high risk contexts to die! I would be most grateful if we didn't have to send our precious men and women to conflict areas where not only we lose so many of them to death but countless lives are damaged and destroyed due to physical and mental trauma. Wouldn't it be great if our Supreme Court and Congress could strengthen laws that would stop the killing of little children in the schools. But not seeing much movement and sentiment for saving lives in other contexts, I question the motivation of the decision today especially when it puts lives of so many women in danger. And that is why my heart goes out to every sister who is feeling angry, fearful, crushed and disappointed today. 

To all those who are hurting today, I want to remind that unity and allyship can mitigate risks to lives of numerous vulnerable women who will be negatively impacted by today's decision. Let's do everything to uphold and encourage each other with compassion and grace! 

My sisters, do not despair,

Embrace peace and power

Your anger and fear is justified,

Turn it into passion and vigor!

Remember when Rosa refused to leave her seat,

You too, my sister, stay strong on your feet!

Remember when Susan got arrested for voting,

Each other's rights we must continue promoting! 

Gandhi questioned the law through Satyagraha,

Remember, you too possess the power of Freya,

They used force to put MLK behind the bars,

But they could never hold a movement in a jar!

Liberty is more powerful than repression 

Freedom is more resilient than oppression,

It's time to indulge in some good trouble,

Remember, fighting for our basic rights is not indiscretion!

This might a moment when we are down and under,

But like Maya, We Will Still RISE,

So many examples and shoulders to climb on,

Let's grab our share of the free skies!

Photo credit: https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/addybaird/scotus-overturn-roe-explainer

My Inner Story...

My hypocrisy  

I tell myself that I am perfect for the moment and yet let insecurities take birth!

My privilege   

Insights bestowed on me through interactions with multitudes from the globe!

My vulnerability 

I belong everywhere a little bit and nowhere fully!

My power 

I own who I am and I belong to the Great I am! 

What's your story? 

Who Is A Good Refugee?

There are several news stories coming out of Ukraine that confirm, once again, that often refugees have to face the racism and discrimination based on their race, color, and origins!  Humans are humans, their need for treatment with dignity, food, water and shelter remains the same! And once they receive the safe shelter, studies tells us, most refugees contribute in the host society in a meaningful way. This poem calls for compassion for all refugees no matter how they look or where they come from!

Photo credit: https://www.nationalgeographic.co.uk/history-and-civilisation/2022/03/fleeing-war-facing-racism-refugees-from-ukraine-meet-challenges-at-europes-borders

So who is a good refugee,

The one who looks like me?

Who is a good refugee,

With whom I have the most similarity?

Refugees shouldn’t be defined 

by how they look.

It’s about their fear and suffering 

that made them seek refuge! 

Don’t look at the color of their skin,

Look at the scars from their journey,

Don’t welcome them based on their clothing or culture,

It’s for the fear of life from which they’re fleeing! 

Be the becan of hope for the vulnerable,

Be the host full of compassion,

Receive them in love to share in hope,

Engage with empathy without discrimination!

It’s ok to be temporarily uncomfortable,

In order to save the precious lives,

With their diverse skills and knowledge,

They will contribute to the society and thrive!

So, who is a good refugee,

That shouldn’t even be a question!

Welcome everyone regardless of their race and origin,

Just because of their needs empowered by your compassion!  

Where is Love?

Yesterday the preacher, Richard H Kottemann, in our church inspired this poem! Let's keep fighting for love in our own ways, please! No time to lose focus!   

Where is love

when we need it the most?

Where is love

when so many lives are being lost?

 

Listen, love is alive,

But living in parts!

Pieces of love

are hiding in separate hearts!

Photo credit: https://psiloveyou.xyz/for-the-love-of-humanity-300d882ded8d

 

We, the soldiers of love,

need to bring our hearts together!

And join the ‘me worlds’ and

broken pieces of love we gather!

 

Love will show the way

through this dark tunnel!

All the care and support 

we channel through the love funnel!

 

Search your hearts

my dear friends,

 each one of us

possess the various love strands!

Photo credit: https://www.amazon.com/Bothy-Threads-Heart-Cross-Stitch/dp/B00CL975PG

 

Let's make a tapestry of love,

To cover those suffering in the cold,

Let’s send a message with the humanitarian dove,

Love is peaceful and yet bold!

 

The oppressor must be defeated,

We cannot just give in,

Hate and greed must be depleted,

Because love always will win! 

Standing Up for Love!

Greetings readers! With changing times, I am adopting newer ways of expression. Trying to make videos and reels to reach out to those who are not into reading but want to learn more about inner, interpersonal and global peace. As I continue to learn how to be more peaceful and loving, I reproduce my learning in simple ways for my brothers and sisters who are also on their path of love and peace. Here's one such video! Trying mix the mediums here, hoping the readers of this blog will accept watching the videos too!