BE THE CHANGE YOU WISH TO SEE!

The amount of hatred I've read and seen over the past few days, after Friday's horrific tragedy has been astounding. I get that it stems from fear but there are simply no excuses for behaving this way.  I realize that the world is in pain but that does not give anyone the right to play God or Government and try to bring justice to any crime. Racism and hate is universal. When does it stop? Where do we draw the line?  If we don't set the right examples soon, we may never be saved.

It is all very hypocritical.  You can see the spreading of posts of love and sympathy in one regard, and hate for a race in another.  So which is it?  You are either PRO-HUMANITY or you’re not!  For violence or not!  It’s either, or but you cannot take both sides.  You cannot bring the world back from tragedy by beating up a woman, picking up her 2-young children from school, kicking her in the stomach and punching her in the face, screaming at her to go back to her country, calling her a terrorist; just because she's Muslim - as was the case at a school in Don Mills, Ontario, yesterday.

I honestly don’t know what is happening to our world but, I truly hurt for the human race right now.

And to think, our young children have to stay and live in a world that WE ourselves leave them in. We all better start leading by better example soon - or they are all surely doomed!

Mahatma Gandhi once said:  “Be the change you wish to see in the world”.  I think it’s about time we all take a page out of this same book and make some changes.  Changes that begin with us first.

WAR OF THE WORLD

 

 

 Feeling the united gasps of shock and terror across the world when crimes against humanity happen are a natural state of being but, why must it take such horrific tragedies to spread concern and desperate need for peace in our lands?!  How many more of our vibrant cities, filled with life and light must be silenced with explosions and darkness?!  Or yet, why aren’t all the cities of the world allowed love, excitement and peace in the same reflection?

Until we are all equal to live in freedom the same way, there will be no peace.  War and terrorism will become a norm in our world and all human beings in every city will enter into a “surreal and horrifying world of senseless violence” – until the end of time. 

Unless, by some miracle, we decide that our world is worth saving, and our lives are priceless!  Not just “our lives” but the lives of ALL those who live.   

To all those who's lives have been silenced by war and terrorism (which should be all of us) - May we find hope and give birth to new ways of finding peace.

To all those who are filled with so much rage and pain, because of their lack of choice, freedom and democracies - May you have the courage to seek out knowledge and love, rather than revenge and darkness.   

To all of us - May we someday truly comprehend that ALL lives are precious and equal - no matter where we live, what color our skin is or what God(s) we pray to.  This, above all else, is what I pray for -everyday!

LOVE IS A BATTLEFIELD!

 
I openly admit that I don't know the first thing about dating in today's world. 

Being out of the "dating scene" for the past little while, I feel like A LOT has changed.  I'm completely and utterly dumb-founded at the lack of "love and relationship" opportunities out there.    Do they even exist anymore?  I feel like trying to find love these days is like entering the twilight zone.  It's become a war out there:  The Heart Givers vs. The Heart Killers.

A month before I turned 40 (as anyone who has turned can attest to), I began thinking about all the things I didn't have in my life.  Love was definitely at the top of that list.  But oddly enough, I never found myself without a man present  There have always been "boyfriend place-holders" Yet still, no real love to speak of.  I realized at that moment that I was afraid to be alone.  It's something that I've always feared.  My biggest fear, actually.  Which is probably why I've jumped in and out of relationships (and I use the term loosely) all my life.  Because the fear of being alone was just too much to stand.  Something I think a lot of people out there go through.  So we settle.  Funny how fear can play with you like that.  So for the next 2-years, I was going to learn how to be "okay" with being alone. 

Well, here I am, 2-years later - alone!  But, I've learned and realized A LOT during this time.  I think there are 2 very important lessons that we should all learn (unlike myself) very early on in life to survive: 

The first thing would have to be self-love.  I know, cliche right?  How did something so simple escape me, I will never know.  I lost out in loving the essence of me a very long time ago.  But, happy to report that it's something that I practice every day now.  I'm grateful for all the beauties I have.  Beauties both seen and unseen. 

The second thing would be that everyone should know what it feels like to be "okay" with being alone.  It teaches you so much.  Your awareness of everything heightens.  I never could have imagined how strong I could be, all by myself, until I forced myself to try.  You condition yourself to be a solider and your life is a war to be won. No one can own the definition of you.  The power of one is so magical.  I never would have guessed it to be so. 

So now that I have bettered myself on all playing fields, become this strong entity all on my own, I'm ready!  Ready to find that kind of love I've always deserved and known to be out there.  The only thing is - I think everyone else is on a different turf.  

Is it me, or is no one actively seeking a relationship these days?  It seems like the word itself has become an enigma.  The dating pool has been filled with married people "looking for the extra", the single people only seeking "casual dates, filled with a lot of sex and multiple partners, but want nothing serious" and my personal favorite:  "20 something year olds, that wish to be your "Boy-toys" while you look for the love of your life"  It's really tragic out there.  Especially for all of us "hopeless romantics" out there.  All 10 of us, tops!

I hate to say this but LOVE as we once knew it, is DEAD!  At least that's what I'm being made to believe.  Trying to stay hopeful in a sea of all this nonsense is really tough.  I want to be wrong in my assumption but it doesn't look good.  Especially with things like:  Social media and online dating sights.  I'm personally afraid for my heart out there, in today's world.  The odds don't look favorable. 

Would love to hear your thoughts on this one.

Thanks for always listening!

We Are People, NOT Labels!

You know, I walk around in this world of ours and it just astounds me how arrogant people sound when speaking about each other. The fact that it's nearly 2016 and I still hear people being referred to/ described as:   "Black, White, Cuban, Asian, etc. (and their “slang” counterparts)  is utterly ridiculous.  Sadly, it doesn't even stop there.  Aside from using racist remarks, we have now seemed to become a society that marks people according to their weight, religion and sexual preferences too.  It’s gone on long enough!  We are not a “stupid society” and yet we act like it, every chance we get.  No matter where you turn,  It seems that we are all "Labeled" something, instead of just simply calling ourselves "human" instead.  

I read a Face Book post the other day from a dear friend who has a beautiful little boy, that happens to be a wonderful mix of Italian and African-American origins.  Sadly, it seems that he is already feeling the cold grips of racism, after another little boy in his class refused to stand next to him because his "hair" was/looked different than his own.  Insanely sad!  It broke my heart to read such a thing. Now, I get that children are innocent and will simply comment on what they see but, it's up to parents, families and teachers to nail this as early on in their young lives as possible- that we are all the same. One human race. One love. Period!   We are not born racist or sexist- we are taught to be. It's a fact.

Now, I know that I’m going to feel the heat of this blog from parents everywhere, but so be it.  I think we have all tip-toed around this subject for far too long and I am personally done!  I am holding adults everywhere, responsible. 

No, we cannot be with our children at all time and yes, what they hear/pick up at school cannot be made to be the parents fault.  OK.  But I ask you this:  Where do the children from the playground, class room, daycare, neighborhood or party get these labels from?  That’ s right, from you – the adult.  Where did we get it from?  From the adults we were around.  It breeds itself into oblivion, don’t you see?!  So we have to all hold ourselves accountable for the terms we use and actions we make.  It’s that simple. 

It stems from a lot of different sources, I understand.  The TV shows, music and gaming kids are exposed to these days is crazy and it’s hard to be there, every waking moment to flag this kind of messaging and that’s fine, but we've got to try harder.  Something as simple as how you speak to your spouse/partner in the household is a great start.  Children pick up EVERYTHING.  And sponges don’t just soak up all the clean stuff, they mop up and absorb all the dirty stuff too.  As long as you embed the basics into your children that’s all you can do!  Education, mannerism and humility start in the home.  And don't wait for situations to arise, make this a daily, weekly and monthly conversation.  Teach those around you about people, ethnicity, etc. All you can do is enable your child with the proper tools and let them go out into the world – hoping they make the right decisions and choices as human beings. 

I have nieces and nephews myself and as they grow there are always instances where they will make comments about weight, race, creed or color.  They are at an age where their minds are so keen on the differences they see.  So naturally, they become inquisitive.  It bothers me endlessly when I hear certain things come out of their mouth.  It literally hurts my heart.  In the past, I've shy’ d away from saying anything, saying to myself:  “Oh they are just children Gia, they don’t know any better.  It means no harm.”  But, it does and they should be aware of it.  I don’t ever want them to go out into the world to bully or be bullied to/by others for being different – so I will help teach and shape them in that way because it’s my responsibility to do so.  If I don’t and just ignore it if/when it ever comes up, than I am just doing a dis-service to them and the world.   

Take a moment to watch this incredible video and truly pay attention to the message. After all, change starts with us.  So, we must “be the change we wish to see in the world” – and today, I am starting with all of you!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0qD2K2RWkc&sns=em

In the words of Bono … “One love, One blood, One life.  You got to do what you should.  One life, with each other.  Sisters. Brothers.  One life, but we’re not the same.  We've got to carry each other.”

I really hope this blog has touched / ignited something in all those who read it.  Bad or good, I’d like to hear from all of you.  Your comments are always welcome.