This is a follow up to a recent article I wrote called “When there are just no answers”.  The article was written after the horrific Sandy Hook Elementary shooting in Newtown, CT.

I have this thing about me,  I just cannot stand by and watch bad things happen without stepping in and trying to do something to help.  When Hurricane Sandy tore apart the Northeast, like most of you, I watched in horror.  I watched as places I visited and friends homes were demolished. I was sick as a dog for nearly 3 weeks after that storm and I can’t explain to you how frustrating it was for me to not be able to help!  I was so annoyed with myself for being too sick to go to one of the communities hit so hard and do something….anything!  So recently when I saw a friends post on facebook promoting a “Healing Through the Arts Event” to support the children of Newtown, CT  I could not get to the phone fast enough!  I don’t even think I finished reading all the information. I saw volunteers needed, 200 children expected and  I just knew I had to go help.

I don’t think I slept at all that night.  I also don’t know if this is going to make sense but I had such a feeling of excitement knowing that I was going to be able to reach out and help these beautiful children and their families!  That day I headed to Newtown CT with my wonderful earth angel friend and her daughter.  Neither one of us knew what to expect but we both felt we needed to be there.  We arrived at the Youth Center, unpacked all the art supplies we had brought and headed into the building.  I have to tell you the first thing that immediately hit me was not a feeling of sadness but an overwhelming feeling of HOPE, LOVE & COMMUNITY.  It was something I have never experienced in my life time!  It was intense!

There is just no way to truly share what I experienced on that day but I can tell you it has truly changed my life in a wonderful way.  I saw people from all walks of life, ages, religions, political beliefs.  They all unitied for one cause…to spread HOPE, LOVE and a feeling of COMMUNITY!  There were no agenda’s, no politics, just people working together and supporting each other.  I spent most of the day playing with the children, doing crafts and giving lots of hugs!  I got to be part of a human chain of about 30 people who assisted in unloading a tractor trailer full of toys for the children of Newtown CT! The most amazing thing of all was I left there with a restored faith in humanity.  I went to a place that had experience the most unimaginable tragedy and I left with the most incredible feeling of hope and peace!  They say the best gift you can give someone is your time.  I gave my time to Newtown CT but the gift they have given me is one that cannot be explained and will never be forgotten!

Since 2008 I have been going on and on about “the shift”.  The last few months I have been saying “the shift is here”.  I truly feel we are now living in 2 worlds and they are both existing in the same dimension.  We have a world of fear, political bullshit (sorry but it is the truth), violence, anger, negativity and poor-me-pity-party people  We also have a wonderful world of HOPE, LOVE and COMMUNITY!  Which one will you choose to live in?  Where will you spend your time? The negative world will always be there but so will the wonderful one.

I will NEVER forget my visit to Newtown CT and I look forward to volunteering there again.  It has honestly changed my life and as a result I will be making a lot of changes in my own life this coming year.  Life is about choices.  Who do you surround yourself with?  What do you focus on?  What are the priorities in your life? What world will YOU choose to live in?I hope you will choose to join me in the world of HOPE, LOVE and COMMUNITY!