Project Kengikat

Higher Mountains

// March 22nd, 2010 // Uncategorized

The past two days have been days that I have taken much needed time out for me. Although this time out has been for me, it has also been about spending more time with Dodger and getting myself prepare and centered for my two public speaking engagements that I have this week.

Today (Monday) and tomorrow I have the huge opportunity and honor to speak to social work students about some real life issues facing many people in this nation and how very important it is for them as social work students about to enter the field of work that could play key roles in the lives of people who are on the edge. How important it is for them to always remember that each individual should be treated as just that…..an individual and not some statistic or study. How very important it is for them to always keep in mind that their actions will play huge roles in the lives of the people they may be serving.

In speaking with them I will be sharing my experiences of the 29 months of homelessness, as well as my experience of speaking with people who’s lives have been affected by either homelessness or lack or medical care.

I want to be able to present a clear point of view, so I took this weekend to reflect on things and even reach out to my friends for advice and support. Going with me tonight is someone who has become very special in my life as I now call her my Aunt Emma, my friend Natalie is also going to come and she too has been someone who has been pretty special to me.

I took time to watch a video from a friend of mine on YOUTUBE and she really inspired me and gave me some inspiration. She is someone who uses passages from the Bible to illustrate a point and then make it real for all people and show them how it can apply to their own life. He messages are powerful and unlike other people who have channels were they use the Bible to make a point, she does it from pure place and do not sound like or come from a position of judgment or condemnation. Her messages apply to all HUMANITY regardless of what they may or may not believe in or subscribe to. He messages are about LOVE.

Saturday I went for a long walk and hike with Dodger, it was a great way for me to spend time with him and also be outside on such an awesome day to allow myself to think and take in all that God still allows me to be part of.

I happen to live in place that I believe is the most beautiful place in the world. I am surrounded by beauty and so many awesome as well as creative people. I live in an area where someone of Latino decent to raise above the hardships of life and become Mayor of the greatest city of the world….Los Angeles. I live in a city where people prove daily that this is truly the city of Angels and as long as we do our best, we are able to overcome anything…….even homelessness and being sick.

While hiking up I took pictures with my BlackBerry. As I look at them today and think about the hike I went on with Dodger. The hike was upward and at times it was a bit difficult, there were points were Dodger and I needed to take a break in order for us to move toward the top. All the way up I could see down the mountain from where I first started and I could also see people in front of me as well as coming up behind me. When we reached the top the view was awesome and I felt so good for not giving up or turning around when the hike seemed to be too much for me.

The hike was very much like my walk through 29 months of homelessness, most of it alone, with friend walking away or people saying and even writing things about me that were not true, the hardships of not having a place to stay, many times nothing to eat and feelings of being so alone and even lost at times. But something deep inside of me told me to keep climbing, keep reaching, keep smiling, keep believing in myself no matter what can my way. My faith refused to allow me to turn around and give up and today while my road has gotten much better as I now having housing and an awesome doctor with a great care team, my organization is getting stronger, the outreaches I created while homeless still continue to grow and spread the message of LOVE, the road is still very much up hill and there are times when it gets steep and I feel discouraged, but again my faith pushes me forward and the tears have begun to fade.

It’s now 3:07PM and I will take Dodger out for a walk and then start to get ready for the first of two days of speaking to people and sharing a message of love.

When I go to the top of the mountain I smile to myself because I could hear something inside me say, this is not a race, go at your own pace and keep moving forward in greater works, remain humble and thankful and keep God at the center. Things wont always be great and my days wont always be filled with sunshine, but with each storm there are blessings, we each step there is growth, so I must endure until the very end.