A friend of mine could use your support. Here’s the long and short: We met on the road. You can take this as literally or metaphorically as you wish. What road are you traveling? Who walks it as you do, or when you do, and comes for a moment within reach of your attention? Rather than walking alone, to walk with company, for however long you have it, is an honor and gift. To feel our singular existence, that independence that we all are, open to give of what is us and receive of what is another, can only expand our experience and enrich our lives. We ought to grow by each new introduction. I had a special one of these introductions not long ago, the beginning of a very interesting and illuminating friendship. Happy, he called himself. He was a transgender African-American man, and I had questions. What a rich story he had in answer: one of strong perseverance, deep struggle, wisdom, dedication, passion, compassion. I’d never met, and so didn’t have an understanding for, someone with such a life story. He was a filmmaker from New Jersey, and a real and true seeker. He is not a seeker like those who call themselves thus so they don’t have to commit to a position. He is a pilgrim, and a pilgrims story is worth hearing. He is the most dedicated and diligent seeker and pilgrim I have ever met. He practices and lives deep spiritual devotion. It inspires me and humbles me, convicts my lack of it. If you truly seek you will truly find. Perhaps we find to the level we seek. Therefore some are transformed while others find truth “interesting” as it passes. He seeks hard and so I know he will be transformed. It has been his goal to make a film about this journey he is on. He is trying to bring some understanding of the societal issues that someone in his position confronts, and about the common struggles of all of us as human beings experience. He has struggled to overcome heartache and despondency and depression, physical and mental abuse, and find a real and lasting peace and fulfillment. This place he is now in is growing the greatest virtue in him: compassion. He is in the middle of very difficult circumstances. Since I met him he has made his way from Portland to Seattle to network and find someone to produce his film. Things did not work out as he expected and he now finds himself homeless and hungry, and so tired from lack of sleep he falls asleep while he walks, and has been hospitalized after passing out several times. He fears continuing decline. He is, as he says, the lowest of the low in this or any society. He is an outcast, an untouchable, to most. It is hard for me to hear how much he struggles. He has been turned away from shelters, even by religious people he feels should be most understanding. Interactions with those who truly do see past his appearances are rare but very meaningful. He has had to deal with the stigmas associated with poverty, race, and his gender identity. Struggles I can’t appreciate or imagine, which is why its good for me to hear it. That is why I appreciate the work he’s trying to do. A story like his grows virtues like compassion in those who hear it and who care to grow in such things. That is his great goal through all the suffering he is now experiencing. I’m inspired by the dedication he has to this pursuit. This link is to a fundraising and support page for his project, and an explanation of it. I have been supporting him as my good friend who needs help, and hope you can do something as well. Even if it is just to bring some attention to his project he would greatly appreciate it. In his position, support of any kind goes a long long way. Prayer does too. Imagine how easy discouragement would be when you are poor, homeless, ignored, hungry, sick with fatigue, have no clothes, and yet are so consumed with hope toward a vision that seems at times so far from the where he is now. And how much simple acknowledgement would mean when you are alone. Be the voice that speaks and eyes that see. It is what we should be, no? You are a hero if you read all this. fundly/a-happy-rebirth#updates/blog/i_m_not_the_only_one_silence_is_a_solice-6242
Posted on: Mon, 18 Nov 2013 05:21:57 +0000
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