Part Of A Bigger Picture

There is hurt there is trouble

There are tears on the ground

There’s a cry ringing out

You've been shaken by loss

You've been by shattered by fear

Give me eyes that can see it

Give me ears that can hear

I am down on my knees.

Artists For Haiti - Come Together Now

(Originally composed for 2010 earthquake)

When I heard of Hurricane Matthew’s wreckage on Haiti, the vampires of the internet came out of their caves. I read comments so deplorable; especially sending funds to help out those fraught with losses.

I am in agreement of financial aid not reaching those still affected by the 2010 catastrophic earthquake. 

The actual amount of money raised and allocated is disputable, yet I do not look at a five year girl, who has lost family members and not want to provide something. Nor do I call her appalling names because of her cultural roots. Yet others have and continue to take their anger out on those who are innocent.

I read words like: Ethnic cleansing and God’s wrath. It makes me wonder where the angels are tonight. 

 Then I see the familiar maple leaf on those who have come to the aid of these people. They are not concerned about the Clinton’s misappropriation of funds earmarked for the Haitians, from the last disaster that struck. No, these people from our country are giving what they can. I see images of children receiving hugs, the injured being tended to and lives being touched by simple gestures of compassion. 

If only we could look into the minds of those in Haiti and see the misery of the world upon them, maybe we could empathize with their plight. The reality is when disaster strikes it does not favour one source of human beings. Places like Italy, China and Nepal suffered immeasurable losses of life and structural damages. Even I am living on an Island that is doomed to be impacted by the “Big One,” someday. 

 For people to blame the cultural or gripe about where the money went in relief aid, does not make sense to me.  From the moment we emerge into this world, we all are destined to have it end one day.

 I read of a woman who instead of sending a cheque to those fund-raising for Haiti back in 2010, she did her research and contacted a school that needed rebuilding. After many months of conversing with the person in charge, she asked for photographs, updates and emails, all which showed where her money would be used. She then visited Haiti and met those she had helped out directly.

For those whose hearts are in the right place, sometimes all we have to do is start a fire, where everyone around will see the light of hope burning in the very spot most needed.

By TL Alton

I Won't Let You Go

To tell of my story is to tell of Him ~ Big Daddy Weave 

All of us have heard raucous stories of survival. Tales of outwitting evil and being able to live to tell experiences, many of us cannot fathom. Yet, there is a form of survival occurring every day, unfolding before our eyes. It is those afflicted and addicted. Impoverished individuals -- who instead of self-worth -- have been given brandings of anxiety, OCD, PTSD, self-harm, Bipolar and many more.

As a result, the inheritance the earth is receiving, can be witnessed in myriad complexities, of we reap what we sow.  

Conference Board of Canada shares that anxiety and depression are costing the Canadian economy 50 billion dollars a year. In many instances, anxiety and depression prevents individuals from entering the workforce. Improving treatment of mental illness among working Canadians would offer significant benefits for individuals, business, society and economy.

Recently I watched a film that accurately portrays the depressive/anxiety illness of Bipolar. Touched With Fire directed by Paul Dalio, features Katie Holmes and Luke Kirby, as two artistic poets whose worlds collide in a series of brilliant scenes. Their interconnected love story is skilfully woven together, yet unravels by their instability with mania. I saw this film twice; once from the library and then amongst others who have ‘mental imperfections’.

Movie Trailer Link to Touched With Fire: 

https://youtu.be/NHx7Y_PCwwQ

As someone who delves into research, I am passionate about causes that turn the tables on any disease and makes people take notice. A non-profit organization, The Semicolon Project, is supporting those living with forms of mental illness with the emergence of semicolon tattoos.

The Semicolon Project is based in a simple message:

A semicolon represents a sentence the author could have ended, but chose not to. That author is you and the sentence is your life.

 http://www.projectsemicolon.org/

This is the first tattoo, since getting inked that speaks to me on many levels. Being an author and lover of the written word, the semicolon intertwines with the beautiful complexities that are of the mind. 

Many things have come to pass and been taken in my life, yet the solid foundation that remains is my faith -- where unconditionally, I am loved being who I am and accepted. 

By TL Alton