Uncomfortable Faces of Humanity

I cried while watching "60 Minutes."

This is not a normal Sunday night occurrence. I caught a glimpse of a story where the homeless were being abused--beaten (and a couple even killed) by groups of teenagers wielding baseball bats. Apparently, this is becoming more commonplace in cities across the country. Many claim to have been inspired by a film series called "Bum Fights," where homeless people are invited to perform stunts (primarily acts of self-abuse or abuse to one another) for food or a couple of dollars. I was sickened. What are we doing to our selves?

I use the term "we" because I cannot claim complete innocence. No, I have never physically abused a homeless person. I have, however, on countless occasions looked beyond or ignored their presence. Although I have not given it thought in this regard, I have successfully stripped them of their worth and dignity by refusing to acknowledge their humanity. In the face of their perceived desperation, I have pretended that they simply do not exist. Rather than engaging my discomfort for their plight, I have turned away and continued with my business. I have erased the pictures of their hungry eyes from my conscious eyes and have gone happily to lunch.

I have assembled lunches for the Night Ministry, donated clothing to multiple charities for the homeless and have been an advocate for better housing and shelters; yet, my deeds remain safe and impersonal.

The tears on the couch in my living room serve no one. My sympathy for those who find themselves in dire circumstances will not lift them out of the mire. My financial contributions will help, but one could argue that it is treating the symptom rather than the cause.

I must face my own hypocrisy. I may speak of the power of love, but if I truly believe it, I must use it for my own transformation.

Allow me to see the humanity in others.
Allow me to feel the humanity of others.

He has experienced love, just like me.
She has experienced hurt, just like me.
He has experienced heartache, just like me.
She has experienced joy, just like me.
He has laughed, just like me.
They have experienced discrimination, just like me.

Today, I will look them in the eyes. Today, I will see them as people. Today, I will see them as filled with power and possibility. Today, I will see them as free. Today, I will say "Good Morning" and I will mean it. Today, I will them for their names. Today, I will say a prayer for them and me. Today, I will see them as me.

I see the humanity in others.
I feel the humanity in others.

What's heart got to do with it? EVERYTHING.

What's Heart Got to Do With It?

I am intimidated by the power of the written word—so much so, that I have enabled it to support inactivity. I have declined to speak for fear that my words will not adequately express the truth of my heart. The paradox of this inner conflict is the very reason for my writing. I have been guilty of sequestering my heart for the sake of my reputation. My credibility as an intellect must not be challenged by a world that so often judges emotion as weakness and a hunger for more love in the world as insecurity and instability.

My discomfort for the state of human affairs (they are all human affairs, aren’t they? Either in experience or execution…) compels me to speak and speak again, until everyone awakens to the possibilities that stand before us. In the face of seemingly escalating conflicts around the globe, I will not speak of what is NOT—it is too easy. I will, instead, ponder what WILL be when we choose to agree rather than disagree, love rather than hate and unite rather than divide.

Criticism is easy. Imperfection is inevitable. I am inviting myself (and you) to surrender judgment of the messenger and the methodology for the truth of the message.

What speaks to your heart?

This is the question that is quickly becoming the foundation of my work. I will even go so far as to suggest that, at some level, it is at the foundation of yours as well (yearning to come forth). It may not be the conscious intention of your vocation, but it is most likely the inspiration for a number of your daily actions and interactions.

When I am speaking of the heart, I am not limiting my perspective to love. I am extending it to all of the qualities that we carry that enable us to connect at a level that is deeper than our humanity. It is the depth of the soul that cannot be captured by Hallmark. Passion, compassion, wisdom, insight, intuition—all of it, working in partnership as the next possibility in our evolution.

Peace is ours for the creation…should we choose accordingly. The issues of unrest and dis-ease rise to the surface in our continued attempts to make “right” a world that seems to have spun uncomfortably out of our control. Rather than focusing on the root issues (which seem too complex to address, much less manage!), we pick away at what we have decided are the symptoms, rather than the cause.

We exercise our voice of judgment on that which frightens us, rather than attempting to accept that which evades our personal understanding. We divide in an attempt to conquer—drawing our lines in the sand and demanding the submission of those in opposition for the “greater good” of all.

This is love; that is not.
We belong; you do not.
We are free; you are not.
We are peaceful; you are not.
We have the right to marry; you do not.
We are civilized; you are not.
We worship God; you do not.
God speak to us; but, not to you.
This is our land; not yours.
We have a right to be here; you do not.
We are intelligent; you are not.
We are OK; you are not.
God loves everybody except you and certainly not here.

The heart is not political, but it is politicized. The side of the argument in which you fall matters not (in comparison to the humanity that is engaged or disengaged in the process). The heart is in the details.

Food for thought?

I hope so. I invite you to consider today and every day: where does your heart fall in the mix?

Engage the conversation with your self.
Engage the conversation with your community.
Translate the conversation into effective action.

Peace is created one person at a time.

If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the….what is it?

What's heart got to do with it? EVERYTHING.