Life is so full of twisted turns, the unexpected.  No one could have imagined that our society, the culture and the 

world would be faced with so many unprescedented challenges.  

     Many of us have planned, sacrificed, worked, studied, put our faith and hope in our dreams.  Those dreams are not

unlike our ancestors, and forefathers, of creating a better future for ourselves, and for our off-spring.  Though I

do not have offspring, I am full of memories of how my folks struggled, and worked so very hard to secure a better

way of living, for themselves and their children.  For this reason, it is almost incomprehensible to me that so much

of what we learned to do to take task with; those cultural and political forces that restrict growth on inner-personal,

social and cultural levels are really being taken called to deep scrutiny, at least on my part.

     Three things that I remember were placed in profoundly high regard in my upbringing were:  Christian charity and

values, accquiring an education, and building for the future.  Hard work, rock solid, unwavering faith, and the

courage and commitment to witness and experience change.  Change was the unwavering desire, the anthem

the theme, the deep belief  that was to guide a people to the acquisition of a "better time, a better life".

    Being almost rendered imobile, by the realization that without severe checks and balances in EVERY area

of our lives, actions and motivations, we can easily be railroaded by factors that not only do not have our best

interests, but will actually rob and steal from us.  Not only is this felt on a local level, but by every country, continent

in which our nation is connected.  Our nation, whose very core founding principles were based on decency,

charity, something "higher", egalitarinism.  

     I can't even begin to speculate as to what those that came before us would have to say about what

we are now having to experience, even if you and your security is not directly affected.  Is our greed, bigger

than our vision, our charity, our common decency, our common sense?

     What I choose to do is to put NOTHING between my passion for living, creating and inspiring change

through my unyielding belief in spirit.  As I begin to dust myself off and get back on my feet, I will continue

to find ways to serve, with my talents, education and insight.  Yes, it is change that we AGAIN have to 

armour up for.  Albeit a far different type of change than I EVER expected to witness, after living, suriving,

working my way up the education, and cultural ladder.  I am now made to even question the ladder, the 

material that it is made of, and the very ground it stands on, less I make the mistake of underestimating

the profound impact of the change I am made to witness.  Which is quite a different type of change than what

we make happen - in spite of turmoil.  I simply choose to keep walking towards the light, and I invite you

to do the same also.