We See Them

Young and old, feeble and bold, well-groomed and unkempt, we see them.

Going somewhere and going nowhere, restless and stable, useless and able, we see them.

Wise and clueless, kind and ruthless, God inspired and Devil inside, we see them.

Contributing eagerly and taking greedily, we see what we want to see.

From behind closed doors and in open public spaces, safely residing in family homes and aimlessly dwelling in homeless shelters, we turn away in fear and confusion.

Cut from the same cloth, they too were conceived with the hope we all once shared.

 Dare we know their hidden pain of self-loathing and hopeless torment?

Their constant reality of the war inside their minds, hidden only by the smile we demand they shield us with as a mask.

Barely thriving, they mentally fade away into the forgotten landscape, we often hope would swallow them up inside.

Disturbed and disillusioned, souls seemingly disconnected, but dare we hear them and give them our time?

Lost Girl

I’m the girl with the bountiful head of flowing hair.

I’m the girl with the seemingly effortless glow of natural makeup.

I’m the girl with the fashionable wardrobe, whom projects confidence in every stride.

I am always prepared for my school assignments.

I am always reliable for extra responsibilities.

I am always willing to participate in classroom discussions.

My grades are a reflection of my stellar image.

I have a smile that hides the irony of self loathing.

My anxiety is barely buried beneath my temporary façade.

My shallow confidence is daily tested with every peer interaction.

I walk alone in a crowd that could not easily single me out.

I am your sister, your neighbor, your classmate.

I am the girl hiding inside you too.

Empathy is emotional intelligence in its highest form, and Empathy can never peacefully coexist within an individual of whom tunnel vision is rampant. True Empathy is a broad spectrum state of being; not to be solely distributed to any select socio-economic population.

(Originally published September 17, 2001)

As we gather together with our families and friends to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, may we all cherish that we are fortunate enough to be able to begin anew.
May we each rejoice in the safety and comfort of our homes, knowing that life is unmistakably precious and fragile.
May we forever carry these sentimental thoughts, and let our actions echo their wisdom; in every day that we are blessed to welcome.
Wishing each of you a new year filled with hope and peace and dreams realized.

Pearls Of Wisdom (Inspired by Tahitian Pearls)

Rare and precious are the infinite organic works of God's divine beauty.

Our uniqueness and imperfections make each of us the genuine articles.

To adore and to adorn the world with our own luster.

We thrive via the continued contact with living breathing humanity.