‘Better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.’ Chinese Proverb
How wonderful to be given good news? To be given the gift of a yes rather than a no. To find out that someone was thinking of you when you were left alone with your thoughts. To have someone offer you a hand when yours were too full, or too empty.
Good news, stories of hope, inspiration and encouragement. Here is one from a friend, Kim, just back from India. Why not see how it speaks to you:
Dear Friends
Just back from Jaipur – completely uplifted and inspired by the work done by I-India. It is always so humbling to be with people so rich in spirit – of course it is confronting too – seeing the poorest of the poor, living in conditions which are so bad – no water, no electricity, little food, no education, no work, – the exploitation of women and children in particular is always something difficult to witness.
I hold very closely the words of Einstein we cannot solve the worlds problems with the same thinking that created them, the conditions in Jaipur have been created by something much more than just poverty-so throwing money at the problem will not work!!, Often the roots lie in belief systems that do not honor individuals, that do not deem people worthy enough of receiving food or shelter. Belief systems that say ‘I am not good enough’ …or, ‘I have no value’.
Rather than feeling pity or guilt or hopelessness for these people I strongly believe that we all have gifts to offer in this world. On my last visit, there were a group of desperately poor women/mothers sitting around but I noticed that they did some lovely stitching – so over the last few months we have helped them to work together to stitch some beautiful picnic rugs that are being sold in Singapore.
As I stepped out of the car to see the project – I was breathless to witness a vibrant group of women stitching away, singing, working
together – not only have they now been able to earn money, but we use the profits to fund their children’s education and we encourage them by buying them food,blankets,oil, sugar. As an incentive we are financing solar light for their ‘huts’ – their living space which is completely dark even in the daytime – is now able to be lit up!
A really personal moment for me was when the women were discussing what the rugs mean to them. One very poised women looked up and said that she now feels like she has a voice in her family. Later I was thinking, apart from the voice that is now being listened to by others, I could also see in these women that maybe this voice was also their own – to be able to say to yourself that you can do something … that you do deserve respect…that you are amazing. These women have also strengthened my own voice(for it is in the giving that we receive!) as I come back here, re-energized, with a desire to continue to be a positive voice both for myself and my community.
I have a favorite Shel Silverstein poem… that goes like this:
Magic Carpet
You have a magic carpet
That will whiz you through the air,
To Spain or Maine or Africa
If you just tell it where.
So will you let it take you
Where you’ve never been before,
Or will you buy some drapes to match
And use it on your floor?
Friends… I send you love and through this simple experience encourage you to use your voice to ask for goodness for yourself and for others today. May we all continue to work as a community – as one voice- to really be the change that we want to see in this world!!
Love to all.
Kim
“In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5 v16, NIV
He believes in you.
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