I thank you for the many emails I received from my recent article on
freedom. It warmed my heart to hear your stories and experiences around
what freedom means to you.
For those of us living
in North America, we are blessed with opportunities that we often take
for granted. It doesn’t take much to see that not everyone on our planet
enjoys the same liberties that we do. When I think of my freedom, my
thoughts turn to appreciation and gratitude and then to hope. Hope that
in a world of such abundance, that in time, people in all places on earth
will one day find freedom and hope.
Several years ago I found an organization called
WomenforWomen International. It is an
organization that partners women in abundant nations with women in other
parts of the world whose lives have been affected by war.
My first “sister” was a woman in her 50’s who had lost most of her family,
including her husband and brothers, to the war in Kosovo. My sponsorship
supported her in learning new skills that would help her become
self-sufficient and in turn, gain a sense of independence and hope in her
life. In time, my sister graduated from her program and I was in turn
partnered with a new sister in the Republic of Congo, another woman whose
life had been shattered by war and turmoil.
Although I have not met these courageous and inspiring women, my life has
been blessed none the less by their presence. They have touched me with an
understanding of how very lucky I am in the circumstances of which chance
had me be born into. Regardless of the personal challenges that I have
worked through in my own life, they obviously pale in comparison to
struggles of hunger and poverty to which I simply cannot relate. These
women keep me connected to the understanding that regardless of whether we
live next door or across the globe from one another, we are indeed sisters
who must love and support each other as good neighbors and as family do.
As easy as it is to simply write my check every month, it is my hope that
the difference I am making goes beyond the money I send to support my
sisters. It is my deepest prayer that as my sisters learn skills that
teach them the power of independence, that they know in their hearts that
there are women across the globe who care deeply about their well being
and that they are not alone in their struggle for survival, independence
and in turn, their freedom.
I also pray that I am doing my part to lift up the hearts of others in
this side of the world to the understanding that through awareness and
consciousness, we can make a difference in the lives of others. Sending
money is only a small part of the difference we can make. Through prayer
and conscious thought, we can be guided to cultivate peace within our own
lives and in turn, clarity as to our role in bringing forth cooperation,
understanding and healing to our planet.
I ask you in this very moment, what is your heart asking of you? What can
you do this week to step fully into your power and make a difference in
the lives of others?
I applaud you for your courage to know that your life indeed matters. That
even in the littlest things, your presence is truly making a difference
and making this world a better place. I am honored and excited to be in
this journey with you and eager to see where it is taking us.
Have an inspiring and powerful week!
Many blessings,
Homeland
and Other Stories
(Paperback) 
