Wisdom of Friends

Think of a time when you’ve had that deep conversation with a friend or even a stranger … the ones where you solve all of the world's problems, yet wonder how you could ever get the message out to the world?

All too often, we are confronted with so many problems, so many opinions. And all these opinions, and it all boils down to …

If only people were nice to each other. If we were kinder and believed in love. 

On June 15th, I released my debut novel, a book that so many would argue to be complete fiction. Yet. I tell you that whether these memories are from a past life or this one, they are very real inside my body. My mind. My heart. 

I grieve the loss of Raven, of Adam. I love them wholeheartedly. How can I grieve something that is made up? That love comes from somewhere, doesn’t it?

How could someone carry memories so deep that at times my body physically reenacts them? 

My best friend half-joked; she had hoped someone would come forward and tell me I’m wrong. To restore hope that none of this is possible. So far, unfortunately, no one has. 

How my heart has wished the same. 

As I walk forward into the journey of becoming an advocate, I invite you to join. To share your ideas. Because the only way we will be able to move forward is to work together. To heal together. Collective, sustainable healing. That’s the goal, isn’t it? 

We have to trust that each of us is doing our very best with what we’ve been given. 

Call me naive. But as many poets, songwriters, and scholars before me, I stand firm in believing LOVE is the answer.

You can walk free from every experience if you choose to see the positive, the light, the love. Whatever name you give it, that piece that makes your heart smile, even if for only a slight moment. If we believe in that flicker of warmth, it can only grow.

You can choose to pass down information, guidance, resources, and experiences, in hopes of helping those whom you haven’t even met yet!

With so many people wanting to help, how is it that there are always so many barriers? I do understand that there isn’t always the ability to help everyone; one organization can’t do it all. But if that’s the truth, why are we still working in silos?

When considering barriers for survivors of human trafficking (HT) or domestic violence, all too often, we find people lost in a system that creates more obstacles than solutions.

A safe house only for women.

A safe house only for men.

Maybe it’s co-ed, however no males over the age of 16. What if a mother is trying to get out, but has a 17-year-old? 

What if individuals have met on the street, along their travels and in their deepest moments of pain? Suddenly, they find themselves in the same house. 

Sometimes organizations won’t help someone who is struggling with addiction, a diagnosed mental health disorder, or you must accept god or strict rules … the list goes on. 

Rules, so many rules. Fighting against the very people we all say we so desperately want to help. 

I wish I could give more than just this one word.  But maybe one is all it actually takes.

Love.

I want to help, I want to share as much as I can. I know I don’t have the reach nor ability to do this alone. I wish I had all of the right connections to be able to stand in the right rooms to inspire change. And I believe someday soon, I will have that opportunity.

But for now, I’ll just start here. Taking the advice from a dear friend. Sharing the wisdom that I find in everyday conversations. 

Maybe …

Just maybe … 

I can inspire those who have different answers than I to step forward. To take a stand. To share their light.

For today, that’s my calling. 

That is what I can start with.