The Start of Something Started

Invisible Children (IC) is a beautiful organization and I have found myself believing more and more in what we do. I have always been a huge supporter of IC and let it be known that the integrity of Invisible Children is far above reproach. A few days ago my Ugandan teammates arrived with open arms and humble gratitude. The wonderful Monica and Irene, my Ugandan teammates, have a long history with the conflict in Central Africa. Monica at only 21  years of age has never known a life without war. She is one of 7 siblings and has lost her parents to the LRA. Irene is 33 and a prime example of the potential of the Ugandan people. She is a mentor and an educator and currently working on a book of Ugandan folklore. These lady's after only 2 days have confirmed my reasons for being here. Monica was asked at the air port what she was most excited for on tour. You might expect this little petite African girl, that doesnt look a day over 15, who has never really been outside of the Gulu area till now to mention something to the effect of seeing America. Instead, Monica began to say that she was most excited to  tell  the people that have supported her school and helped her people thank you. After only knowing her for about 30 minute I knew that I was here for the right reasons. Monica has been given the chance to grow to be an educated woman and is excited to return to her country to further that education in university by studying history and religious studies. This is truly going to be a journey. One filled with life and growth. Thankfully for me, this journey has already begun.

Kahlil Gibran on Love

When love beckons to you, follow him, Though his ways are hard and steep.
And when his wings enfold you yield to him,
Though the sword hidden among his pinions may wound you.
And when he speaks to you believe in him,
Though his voice may shatter your dreams
as the north wind lays waste the garden.

For even as love crowns you so shall he crucify you. Even as he is for your growth so is he for your pruning.
Even as he ascends to your height and caresses your tenderest branches that quiver in the sun,
So shall he descend to your roots and shake them in their clinging to the earth.

Like sheaves of corn he gathers you unto himself.
He threshes you to make you naked.
He sifts you to free you from your husks.
He grinds you to whiteness.
He kneads you until you are pliant;
And then he assigns you to his sacred fire, that you may become sacred bread for God's sacred feast.

All these things shall love do unto you that you may know the secrets of your heart, and in that knowledge become a fragment of Life's heart.

But if in your fear you would seek only love's peace and love's pleasure,
Then it is better for you that you cover your nakedness and pass out of love's threshing-floor,
Into the seasonless world where you shall laugh, but not all of your laughter, and weep, but not all of your tears.
Love gives naught but itself and takes naught but from itself.
Love possesses not nor would it be possessed;
For love is sufficient unto love.

When you love you should not say, "God is in my heart," but rather, "I am in the heart of God."
And think not you can direct the course of love, for love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course.

Love has no other desire but to fulfill itself.
But if you love and must needs have desires, let these be your desires:
To melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night.
To know the pain of too much tenderness.
To be wounded by your own understanding of love;
And to bleed willingly and joyfully.
To wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving;
To rest at the noon hour and meditate love's ecstasy;
To return home at eventide with gratitude;
And then to sleep with a prayer for the beloved in your heart and a song of praise upon your lips.

New Place, New Life

Moving on and moving up! Literally. It was a week ago today that I left Haiti and headed up to I.N.D.I.A.N.A. and it only took 4 days before I moved on. Flying has become a common thing in my life and I have become quite good at it. None the less now I am in California, San Diego to be exact. I have joined the movement, the INVISIBLE CHILDREN movement and am currently in my training as a roadie. Life is basically a whirlwind of new adventures and life's confusions. i have so much to think about now. I am done with college meaning life and the world dangle at my finger tips with anticipation looming all around. But it’s not that easy... and I feel as if every day presents a new idea to my mind making for seemingly endless possibilities or just overwhelming numbers of thoughts that cannot escape from the inner cortexes of my brain. Dreams are important but reality is now and presents its self with other challenges. Every day my mind expands and every day I come closer to the realities of tomorrow. Until then I give you this<--------------