This picture is me at 17 years of age. I was living in a foster home in Rockville, having just spent 10 months in a state mental institution because I was busted for 1 ounce of marijuana. Even though I was a very troubled, unhappy youth, I had a passion burning in my heart that reached out to my brothers and sister who were being slaughtered in Vietnam. I don't only mean the Vietnamese - my heart was also breaking for the soldiers who had been duped into using their magnificent sense of honor and duty to perpetrate an atrocity - the war in Vietnam.
Fast forward 40 years. Here we go again. The war in Iraq is a symptom of our society's inability to care about each other. I know that sounds very simplistic, but I want to share some thoughts as to why I have managed to carry a passion for peace in my heart for 40 years, and I want to invite you all, especially the youth, to start thinking and acting differently.
I was blessed with a life that was tough enough to have killed me many times over. The result of the pain and degradation I experienced is that I see myself as above no other human. I know that when I see a person in trouble, there but for the grace of G!d go I. I do not feel superior to another human - no more deserving of material wealth, prestige or position. I feel a deep sadness and a desire to be of service, if possible.
I am not a person of means - I struggle to make my rent and other bills. When I have a little extra, I generally end up giving it to someone who needs it. Perhaps I will perpetually be poor in dollars but always rich in spirit. Now, in all fairness, I do have to add that I am supporting a 15 year old, and almost all of my money goes to her education and needs, but whatever I have, I have always felt, that if you need it, you can have it.
So many Americans spend a lot of time and money entertaining themselves trying to drown out the screams of the suffering in this world. It is time to take off the headphones and listen up. WE NEED EACH OTHER. and I am particularly speaking to the students , for you are the hope of the world.
I was 17 years old when that picture was taken. In the ensuing years I spent my time going into prisons and institutions doing life skills groups for adults and teens. Over the years I have volunteered in many different ways trying to be of service to my brothers and sisters in need. I PROMISE YOU. If you become involved in worthy pursuits, you will not need to do drugs and thrill sex to get good feelings. There is a greater high waiting out there for you. It's not easy BUT IT IS SIMPLE.
NEXT BLOG - HOW LOOSING A $150,000 INHERITANCE TAUGHT ME ABOUT WHY PEOPLE HATE.
