The Power of Love

I’m going to keep this short and sweet, mainly because there isn’t much one can say but also because I don’t want emotions to get lost in words.

A few months ago, I was a witness to a tragic accident which left a husband and a son searching for answers concerning the loss of their most beloved female figure in their lives. On better news, I have learned that the second victim of the accident is doing better and she is constantly recovering.

A few days ago, I came across the blog of the widower and after reading it, I feel both the urge to never write again and to never stop writing. As confusing as that may sound, allow me to explain the logic. I never want to write again, as I feel incapable of producing anything as real, true, honest, passionate, inspiring and emotional as this man’s writing. Though I never met him and his family, due to that unfortunate event which happened close to me geographically, it feels close to me spiritually and emotionally as well. The way this man writes and feels is captivating and I feel his every word as if it were my own, only better and truer.

On the other hand, when I think of what this man has been through, when I think of what a great man he is, what a gentle fighter he is, it reminds me of the true meaning of life. He reminds me of what it means to never give up, to accept grief as part of this rollercoaster we call “life” and to feel with all our heart and all our essence.

It is no secret to everyone that I am not one of the most positive of people. As my last blog entry indicates, the only hope I saw for humanity was if it was destroyed on December 21^st 2012. It was only two days ago that I was reminded of one of the things I grew up believing in: “Trust no one”. What Fox Mulder (a true role-model to me) was constantly saying in the “X-Files” takes life and breathes almost every other week, when I get surrounded by people who bring nothing but betrayal, deceit, hate, negativity.

However, I read Ben’s blog, and through his grief, I see more clearly than ever that some humans are not all bad. I see hope, passion, honesty and love. I see an undying love, a true love that I have never seen before, nor did I think it possible to exist. What this man shares (notice: present) with his wife and the fruit of their love, their son, is unimaginably strong and anyone who experiences the same is lucky, blessed and is truly enjoying life to the best it has to offer.

I beg you all: Make an attempt to live and love. You might not find “the One” but you can still care for those around you; family, friends, colleagues or those who simply need a little bit of love. Do not use people as objects, just because you need someone next to you at night. If you don’t truly love someone, I ask you please: set yourself and set them free. And find someone or something you love and hold on to that. Whether it’s a person or a hobby, do it; for your own sake.

I cannot fully express how much this stranger has made me feel; more perhaps than people I have known for years. I wish there was a way to offer him something in return but I know I can’t. All I feel obliged to do is quickly pass on the light of his torch, so that others will hopefully see what I see.

Happy New... Whatever

Here we are in 2013 and the world is still here. According to the “Mayan Prophecy” the world, as we know it, would end on 21^st December 2012. It hasn't though, which has led to lots of confused believers of the prophecy and much more boasting from those that refused to believe it. Personally, I found it disappointing.

Though it would be a one-in-a-lifetime experience to see meteors crushing mankind or the poles being reversed and causing extreme weather phenomena and the shift of the tectonic plates, like in the film “2012”, I am disappointed not that the world was not destroyed but rather that it has not changed. Part of me hoped that “the end of the world as we know it” would lead to some important changes in humanity, hopefully towards the best. But that was just a fool’s hope.

We live in a society where having the latest iPhone is more important than feeding the homeless person who lives round the corner. We live in a society where claiming equal rights means suppressing the rights of others and thus a vicious circle begins, with fingers being pointed in all directions, instead of owning up to our mistakes. We live in a world where models, footballers, (bad) singers and (even worse) actors are glorified and worshipped, not because of their talents, but because of their looks, their money, their fame. Loyalty, love and respect are being flushed down the toilet, since it’s more important to sleep around and score as many lovers as possible. People have no respect towards others’ beliefs or opinions; what matters is that they belittle others enforcing their own views, so they can feel better about themselves.

Our world is filled with hatred and prejudice and people are greedy, egocentrical, megalomaniacs. So I may be characterised as “grumpy”, “miserable” and “cynical” but it’s only because I see the world with its true colours and I see people as they truly are. Foolishly enough, I believed the world as is shaped today could perhaps change towards something better. But as the 21^st December 2012 approached, a big part of me was acknowledging that it would not happen, so perhaps the only way for “salvation” would be if the world was completely destroyed.

Then came Christmas and everyone was so busy sending meaningless wishes to each other, buying expensive gifts to those they like (or pretend to like) and re-enforcing the fact that Christmas is no longer a religious holiday or a period for “love” and “forgiveness”, but a time for over-consumerism to thrive. It’s ironic how blind we all turn during the holidays. We are warned about turning off our desk lamp when we walk away for 2 minutes so we will “save the planet”, yet during Christmas the Oxford Street shops have their lights on for 2 entire months! Throughout the year, we might give to charity or pretend to be experts by analysing the economic crisis and appear to be saddened by unemployment and poverty, yet when Christmas arrives it’s all about wearing Armani suits and carrying LV bags at glamorous Christmas parties and buying  our 5-year olds the latest iPad version cause all their friends have it already!

I decided to do something different this year and dedicate a little of my time and energy into helping others. I volunteered to work at a shelter for homeless people and this experience has been truly unique. I am not mentioning this so I can get any praise or credit for my effort, as it was the least I could do for those that needed my help. It was the least that any one of us could do. I am sharing this experience with you, so you can all learn what I learned. I was so humbled by both the guests at the shelter, as well as the volunteers. Part of me began believing in people again and witnessed what the beginning of a “new world” could be like.

If we are all stripped by our social and financial status, if race, sex, sexuality and religion mean nothing except identifying us, but not marginalising or distinguishing us as less or more superior than others, then we all truly become equal. I saw people of all ages and backgrounds, acting as volunteers, sacrificing their time, their sleep, their comfortable, warm houses and hot home-cooked meals, to help those who needed their help this year. The shelter guests though are the true heroes of the story. People who are struggling to get back on their feet, people estranged from their families, people who have lost houses, money, jobs, yet are still brave and noble enough to face this life. I saw people who have not lost their spirit, their hope or even their sense of humour.

As I was walking around the centre, I came across some hand-made Christmas cards that the guests made and I read the wishes they had written. All of a sudden, Christmas cards were meaningful again. They were wishing (to strangers) to have a “happy Christmas”, to be thankful for their families and homes, to appreciate the things they have in life and to thank God for keeping a roof over their head. So simple, so gentle, so honest. No bitterness there, no spitefulness, no “I hope your house burns down because I don’t have one”. Those few words were reminding us of all the things that we take for granted. And those words prove that we are truly and honestly at our best when we lose everything. The way I see it, the more we have, the more secure we become, then the more “evil” we turn. We become greedy, wanting more. We become selfish and only look after ourselves. We trample over men and gods, fulfilling only our own needs and no-one else’s.

Funnily enough, when we lose all the materials and goods that we allow to define us, that’s when our true character comes out. That’s when we become humble, honest and good. Ironically, at the edge of the cliff, raw survival instincts do not always kick in. Instead we recognise that by holding hands and embracing each other, we can survive or even avoid the fall. The guests in that shelter were truly remarkable and I congratulate them for having what I seem to be losing day by day: hope in humanity. It is a shame that “the world as we know it” did not come to an end. I would have liked to see humanity at its best.