It had been a very busy week – and I had worked up until the last second.  I was walking very purposely from my office to my car.  It was a path I had taken thousands of times.  About a half block away, there was a man talking to himself and pulling something behind him.  I was mindful of his presence as he approached.

As I waited to cross the street – he passed behind me, said hello and gave me a compliment.  I said thank you and told him to have a good weekend.  He went on his way,  then he suddenly stopped and turned around.  He said  “Thank you for not acting like I don’t exist, God bless you.” That is when I noticed he was pulling a suitcase, with a small duffel bag on top, with a tote bag in his other hand.

I’m certain he was homeless and everything he owned was in those bags.  I am equally certain that he is often ignored as if he’s invisible.

Many times we believe we are justified to ignore a homeless person – and it’s rooted in fear.  Fear for our safety, fear that they will pan-handle and ask us for money, fear that we will get into a conversation we can’t get out of – etc. etc.  The truth is – kindness and common courtesy does not put you at risk.

He is someone’s father, grandfather, uncle, or son.  He is important to someone in this world – and for a moment, he can be important to us.  Just acknowledging him with a kind word is where we can start.

©Bloom in Every Garden 2014. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to the author with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

As we honor our veterans, I was reminded of the true cost of the freedom we enjoy.

I recently listened to an interview with two veterans of the Iraq war – one was a member of a explosives disposal unit (bomb unit) whose wife served with him and was killed in an incident he deployed her on. He talked about how husbands of fallen soldiers are often forgotten.  He was encouraged to talk to another soldier, who was also a bomb technician who had been injured in Iraq.

The solider was dispatched to pick up an IUD (improvised explosive device) and when she put in her truck,  it started rolling around.  When she tried to grab it, it exploded.  She said “I heard a woman screaming and screaming, and then I realized it was me.”  In spite of losing both arms, most of her hearing, and the severe scarring on her face, she said it’s led her to amazing opportunities and she’s been able to helped a lot of people.

It painted a picture of sacrifice that I won’t forget. What struck me – and what I keep playing over and over in my mind is when she said she heard someone screaming and screaming . . . and realized it was her.

I don’t think we truly comprehend what the men and women in our armed forces have done and the sacrifices their families have made, for every American to have all the freedoms we enjoy in every aspect of our lives on a daily basis.

Listen to the interview:

http://www.npr.org/2014/11/07/362010372/bomb-techs-work-through-dark-spots-to-brighter-lives’

©Bloom in Every Garden 2014. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to the author with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Many times we tune out the topic of politics – for a lot of reasons – simple issues are way too complex, it is emotionally charged without objectivity, and the environment lacks trust and integrity (to name a few).

Oprah’s conversation with Author, Spiritual Thought Leader, and Recent Congressional Candidate Marianne Williamson reminded me of what we’ve accomplished as a country and gave me hope that we can fundamentally change the nature of politics by . . .

Recognizing that spiritual movements are the basis for the most significant social and political change (Gandhi & ML King, Jr.).

Acknowledging the breach between who we say we are as a nation (our founding principles) and what we have practiced – and how we’ve “self-corrected”  (abolishing slavery, women’s rights, civil rights) to align with our founding principles. Focusing on the conscious of our country, beyond the economics.

Identifying the parallels between personal transformation and transforming our country – the role of love, atonement, and responsibility.

Shifting the power – “Hate with conviction is terrorism.”  Hatred has been turned into a political force.  Hate is the minority,  love is so much greater.  We need more people to “Love with conviction and turn love into a political force.”

Knowing we don’t need a majority to spark change – small groups that stand on an ideal ignited the changes that have transformed our country.

Click Here to Watch the Interview!

©Bloom in Every Garden 2014. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to the author with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.