As most of the world watches, the devistation in Haiti continues to unfold. I feel much helplessness and compassion as I imagine what it would be like to go through something so life altering. But, unlike many others, I have not contributed to any relief funds. Why? Because I realized that a few dollars from me is not going to have the desired effect of fixing all this upheaval for those unfortunate people. Instead, I have chosen to focus on my own backyard.
First off, there is still incredible destruction and poverty for the people of New Orleans affected by Hurricane Katrina. What about those people? Why is it we must rush to fix something half way around the world when there is still devastation in our own backyard from our own natural disaster? It boggles my mind.
I've never been to Haiti, and have never planned on visiting it. But I have been to New Orleans, and hope one day to get back to that amazing city. I don't know anyone who lives in Haiti or who is from there, but I do know people who live in New Orleans still and who are from there who still have families there. I donated to relief efforts for New Orleans and also for the people of New York who were affected by 9/11. I don't have much, but I gave what I could, because those situations affected me directly. They were in my own backyard.
But even closer to me, and to us, is the poverty and devastation in my own community. Have any of you ever paid attention to what's going on right in your very own neighborhood? I see the homeless men and women on the street corner begging for change, for food, for a job, for relief of some kind. These are not drug dealers or junkies or drunks- these are real people, who have been affected by real life situations, and I can make a difference. The saying is "It Starts At Home". Have you ever thought what that really means?
I have. Alot. I'm in uncertain economic circumstances myself, but every day, I wake up and thank God for the gifts of abundance I do have in my life: a loving supportive boyfriend, family and friends who would do anything for me, a warm dry cozy little house, plenty of food to eat, my health and vitality, my mind, and lots of stuff to keep me entertained, like music and TV.
But financially, I have always felt lack, scarcity. Sure, I would do fund raisers for the local food shelter, and for the women's shelter that helped me so much when I was trying to leave an abusive marriage. But honestly, the money I helped raise didn't come directly from my pocket, although it came from the energy I exerted on behalf of the fund raising for those groups.
And I had to challenge myself: I have so much in so many ways. What if I was able to find .50 cents a day and donate it to someone who's life I could really see and touch, someone who needed help, but are invisible to the broader population. So many are so focused on the big picture, they don't even see what's right in front of them, every single day.
I realized I could make a difference. There is an old man named Otis who sits outside the post office in Woodland each day, rain or shine, with a sign that says "Hungry. Please Help". Like so many others, I have been conditioned to smile, briefly acknowledge him, but walk past, assuming my money would just go to booze or drugs. But one day, I had some extra left overs that I was going to stick in the freezer, and I realized, maybe he would appreciate them. So I brought them to him, and introduced myself, and asked him his name. He was hard to understand because he had no teeth, and had trouble talking. But we chatted briefly, and then I offered him the left overs. He was so grateful, and the sense of having helped someone instantly was incredible. Over the next few weeks, I kept bringing him food, and when I didn't have anything, I would still stop and chat with him.
These last couple of weeks, we've been hit with a torrent of rain, and Otis wasn't sitting in his usual spot. I prayed he was safe and dry. When he reappeared, I stopped to talk to him to find out how he was and where he had been during the wet weather. He had found an overhang, and had holed up there. The local shelter was full, and there was no space for him. I really had to look at him as he spoke, and realized, I was assuming I was making a difference in his life by giving him food when I could. I had never asked him what he really needed. How arrogant I was!
So I asked him. "What would most help you?" Just like that. And he replied, "Food and money. Sometimes I can get enough for a room" And that's when I decided I needed to start sharing what money I could, so he could determine what he needed, when he needed it. Its not much, .50 a day when I see him, but he's always grateful for it, and always says thank you. I am making a difference in a very small way to the people in my community. My belief is that by taking care of what is directly in my backyard, in my day to day life, we can heal our broken communities one person at a time. It doesn't seem like much, but think about it. That will spread if we each take responsibility for our own homes. And eventually, one community will be healed and healty. And then the whole state. And then maybe to the rest of the US. And only then, can we make a difference helping those half way across the world.
In his own way, even though he has no idea about this, Otis is helping me heal from my own sense of lack and helplessness. He's helping me to learn that I do have plenty to give, and I can see that benefit right in front of me. I can make a difference in devastating circumstances, even if its not on a large world scale. I can make a difference in my community. And in its own small way, that helps the people of the world. This is not selfish, this is taking one small step at a time, and really making a difference. Its too overwhelming if you keep looking at the whole problem. But breaking it down into these very small, very real steps, miracles can happen.
Here's my challenge to you: identify one small step you can take today in your own life, backyard, community, whatever. Something you can see has a positive effect on those who directly impact you on a daily basis. Start small, like giving someone a smile and saying hello, helping somebody carry a bag, or lift something. Or if you feel abundant, helping one person by getting to know them, and giving them what they need, just for today. And if you can do it one day, maybe try it again tomorrow. Like ripples on the water when a pebble is thrown in, the Dalai Lama reminds us that we can have an effect on the bigger picture, but it has to start at home. As Ghandi says "Be the change you wish to see in the world."
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