With the resurgence of social media, fake news, conflict about borders around the world it's easy to lose sight of the light in our lives. If we're not careful, we may find ourselves focusing on what's negative versus all of the good fortune we have. You've heard the statement "count your blessings." I say... be the blessing without judgement.
What I mean is that sometimes people categorizes blessings as small or big. Smiling to the stranger that passes you by, holding the door open for someone in a wheelchair is just as important and needed as helping to build a group home or donating money to your local charity. The universe looks upon every act of kindness as equally noble and it can evolve into a cycle of goodwill.
During my reign as Mrs. Maryland United States 2008 I heard of gangbangers shooting up a funeral home in a final showdown to incite fear and destruction. I knew there was a high school in that neighborhood with frightened students so I rushed to the school to uplift the children. The students were very grateful that a compassionate beauty queen set aside time to comfort them and offer an encouraging speech.
Some of the students said "We're scared to be children," "I've seen too many of my friends die." I was disheartened to hear their stories but was also inspired to produce a platform to amplify the voices of children. A couple of weeks later I met with Congressman Elijah Cummings and shared my vision of a "Peace & Poetry Day". A day where students will share their original poetry that promotes peace and unity.
Congressman Cummings was moved by my commitment to the community and agreed to pay for the trophies. Now the next step was finding a school. From my experience of volunteering at schools and coordinating an after school program I know sometimes it can take months or years to implement an initiative at public schools. So he referred me to Jason Botel, the founder of Kipp Ujima Village Academy.
Peace and Poetry arrived and twelve courageously talented students shared their hearts and stories through their original poems. Amongst the assembly, there were tears, laughter and also connection, understanding and...Peace. The students felt a sense of relief as they recited their poems and a bond was created with each poet and listener.
I was very humbled to see my vision manifested and well received. And backstage, Mr. Botel reveled that three hundred students submitted poems, 300! That means children want to have their voices heard. It means what started as one gesture to speak to students evolved into an initiative of sharing stores and connection. I was happy students captured their thoughts to paper but sad that they didn't get an opportunity to share with the audience. Had I known that many students submitted poems I would have modified the day's assembly. So that means another Peace & Poetry Day is needed. The cycle of goodwill continues.
With Love & Light,
Regena