It is very rare to find a city that you just instantly fall in love with on the first visit being there, a city where in the first week of being there you are infatuated, you just can't leave, at least not for a while. Some find that in New York, Paris, San Fransisco, Washington D.C., I've even heard Cincinnati (that is a shout out to my roommate Forrest). I have found my love in this city of New Orleans, a city so backwards, upside down, and slow moving, you just have to sit back and laugh sometimes at the insanity this city brings some days.
A state that still follows the law books of its French and Spanish origins, Mardi Gras is the holiday of choice, and corruption just gets a shrug of laughter and a saying of "welcome to New Orleans." One has to sit back and wonder how this city still manages to be functional, the answer is really simple, New Orleans accepts its faults, mess-ups, weird quarks, slow moving pace, and willingness to persevere in the worst of times. This state and the city of New Orleans were built on a swamps, has survived hurricanes, Jim Crow, corruption to unnecessary extremes, and still yet is a place where people want to go and live. I would say that this city and state are built for the eccentric, those who don't mind that things just don't make sense all the time, and that government is sometimes just messy and backwards here. I think people here also just accept things as they are, and they have also learned to just accept people for who they are; human beings, we all make mistakes, and we all have skeletons in our closets.
A city in love with itself, a city so in love with its historic roots, that when disaster strikes, the historic districts are always first on the list to save and make right. Whether that means getting power back on in the French Quarter or that means fixing Treme, or putting the eyes of the public on Central City as a neighborhood in need of help. Yes, New Orleans, has some priority problems, but what city doesn't. What makes New Orleans different, is that it accepts its problems and screw-ups.
I love this city for all of its crazyness, its weird quarks, the people who treat you with all the respect they would like to see in return, not a single judgement about who you are or what you do in your personal life. As conservative as southerners are sometimes, I like these people, if you just avoid talking politics and religion, and accept them for who they are, southerners can really teach you something. Slow down and enjoy life for what it is, stop rushing around and just live life for what God is giving you. I think us northern folk are so quick to judge those who think a little slower, and who may see life a little more conservatively then others, that we forget they know life just as well if not better then we do. I understand that New Orleans is a uniquely liberal city in the deep south, but I have been to other parts of the state, and I still have found some pretty interesting people, who offer an interesting perspective on life.
Anyway, that is my thoughts for the day.
Peace y'all.
Sunday, March 3, 2013
New Orleans by Chuck Perkins
I found this poem a while ago, and I think that it perfectly surmises everything I love about this city.
Enjoy.
Neatly folded in the corner of Andy Warhol’s mind
New Orleans is a hurricane beating down your coast
If you close your eyes
And feel the easy ride
Of the St. Charles Street Car
Where a solo tuba
Blows the scent of magnolia
Down narrow streets
and everyone plays possum with the heat
and no one’s too big or too small
to paint their tongue with a snowball
where former slaves pay homage to the first Americans
by masking in suits of rhine stones and bright colored feathers
that transform security guards into Indian Chiefs
doing rain dances on Congo Square
where the drums drum
and the wine drink
and the big chief sing
somebody give me a quarter
cause pretty big chief want some water
if you can envision the souls of yesterday
living in the music
that rises from the cracks in the sidewalks
New Orleans is your dream
With a heart as soft
As the spanish moss
Dripping from centuries old oak tress
She’s a pretty face with dirty feet
The good witch of lake Ponchartrain
The spice god of shrimp and crawfish
Keeping the spirits fed
Communities of windowless monuments
Masquerading as cemeteries
Tower above ground
No earth or worms to cover the flesh
No silver bullets to turn out the spirits
That still dance with her
Spin your umbrella
And wave your bandanna
It’s Mardi Gras time
And everybody’s happy
Armed with a blue print of civilization
The new world stormed in
With enough asphalt and cement
To pave a boulevard back to Paris
the spirit of the swamp still hasn’t submitted
Leaving mildewed kisses of disapproval
On every thing foreign to the wet lands
Catholicism could not turn out the spirit of Marie Laveau
The wrecking ball could not turn out the spirit of Storyville
And death could not turn out the spirit of Louie Armstrong
When yesterday hangs on to forever
Tradition is a temple.
Enjoy.
New Orleans
If your American dream is painted on a canvasNeatly folded in the corner of Andy Warhol’s mind
New Orleans is a hurricane beating down your coast
If you close your eyes
And feel the easy ride
Of the St. Charles Street Car
Where a solo tuba
Blows the scent of magnolia
Down narrow streets
and everyone plays possum with the heat
and no one’s too big or too small
to paint their tongue with a snowball
where former slaves pay homage to the first Americans
by masking in suits of rhine stones and bright colored feathers
that transform security guards into Indian Chiefs
doing rain dances on Congo Square
where the drums drum
and the wine drink
and the big chief sing
somebody give me a quarter
cause pretty big chief want some water
if you can envision the souls of yesterday
living in the music
that rises from the cracks in the sidewalks
New Orleans is your dream
With a heart as soft
As the spanish moss
Dripping from centuries old oak tress
She’s a pretty face with dirty feet
The good witch of lake Ponchartrain
The spice god of shrimp and crawfish
Keeping the spirits fed
Communities of windowless monuments
Masquerading as cemeteries
Tower above ground
No earth or worms to cover the flesh
No silver bullets to turn out the spirits
That still dance with her
Spin your umbrella
And wave your bandanna
It’s Mardi Gras time
And everybody’s happy
Armed with a blue print of civilization
The new world stormed in
With enough asphalt and cement
To pave a boulevard back to Paris
the spirit of the swamp still hasn’t submitted
Leaving mildewed kisses of disapproval
On every thing foreign to the wet lands
Catholicism could not turn out the spirit of Marie Laveau
The wrecking ball could not turn out the spirit of Storyville
And death could not turn out the spirit of Louie Armstrong
When yesterday hangs on to forever
Tradition is a temple.
Chuck Perkins
Saturday, February 23, 2013
How New Orleans has helped me!
 |
| A portion of my collection from all the Mardi Gras Parades. |
 |
| Best Costume of Mardi Gras |
 | |
| Guy from random dance party in Quarter |
Anyway, I am ending this post with a little saying we use down here in New Orleans.
Laissez Le Bon Temps Roulez!
Peace y'all.
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Reflecting on a year
It has been a long while since I have updated this, but I have just not had a whole lot to talk about for the month of December. Plain and simple.
It is coming on the end of a year, welcoming in 2013 with a new family in a new city, and starting fresh with all kinds of new things. It seems time for some reflection with the new year coming upon us; I guess my life thus far has been a constant stream of perpetual and curious change. If I had to boil down my thoughts down to one word I would say the word is "change". I think that every year since my first year of college has been a different one, usually new friends, or classes, but more recently a series of new life altering changes and events.
Now obviously I am speaking about the changes that have occurred within the last few months, but also the many changes that I am probably going to be experiencing in this new and upcoming year. I mean this is the theme of my life, so I might as well keep the cycle going. I don't look for the changes, they seem to look for me, and I just learn that I need to accept when they show themselves. I think the most interesting aspect of the change in my life is how much I have grown from these experiences of change. Growth would be then next word to describe at least the past few months; I feel like that is all I have been doing since I came down here to New Orleans. And I don't mean just maturation of myself, but my way of thinking is maturing, my spirituality has grown, I am growing in understanding my sexuality more, and in fact I seem to be learning something new about myself at least once a week. I know that when I say that people ask, what changes have you been noticing lately, well one that I noticed recently, is that I am very capable of living hundreds of miles away from my parents and be able to take almost complete care of myself.
Independence is something that I have always valued in my life, and I told my mom as they were driving me to the airport to come back to NOLA. I have always been wanting to move away from home, I have never wanted to live in Erie Pennsylvania for the rest of my life. I wasn't expecting to move all the way to New Orleans Louisiana, but God works in mysterious ways. Honestly I have no idea where the next point in my life will be. I could be doing another year of volunteer work, or I could be just working for real, or a I could be starting Grad school. I am very open to any of the options I just presented.
I was thinking about what I wanted to see happen in this upcoming year, and I figured I want to see at least four things to happen; 1) I want to be in a stable job (even if it is a volunteer position) 2) I want to be living in New Orleans somewhere 3) I want to be sitting in Starbucks next year at this time having and living with a boyfriend 4) I want to still be doing something that I am passionate about.
I know that these are oddly specific, or maybe they are even just a bit vague, but I would like it if all of those could happen in some form or another. I am not asking to settle down, I am just asking that I have some of those happening. I would also to be working harder in my current job position, making more of a long term impact on what I am doing, making the most of what I am doing right now. I think this is a good thing for me, and I would love it if I could be making more of an impact than I am making now. I think that it would be cool to be doing something like this again, if the opportunity presents itself, I am not one to plan out my life (we all know this by now, how could I have planned this?) I am aware that I can't mature fully, but I am enjoying the growing up that I am doing so far, as scary as it is sometimes, I don't mind doing it on occasion.
Well I think that is enough reflection/rambling for now, I think I will leave this post off for now.
Happy New Year Y'all!! It is a new season, and a new time, welcome to 2013!
Peace!
It is coming on the end of a year, welcoming in 2013 with a new family in a new city, and starting fresh with all kinds of new things. It seems time for some reflection with the new year coming upon us; I guess my life thus far has been a constant stream of perpetual and curious change. If I had to boil down my thoughts down to one word I would say the word is "change". I think that every year since my first year of college has been a different one, usually new friends, or classes, but more recently a series of new life altering changes and events.
Now obviously I am speaking about the changes that have occurred within the last few months, but also the many changes that I am probably going to be experiencing in this new and upcoming year. I mean this is the theme of my life, so I might as well keep the cycle going. I don't look for the changes, they seem to look for me, and I just learn that I need to accept when they show themselves. I think the most interesting aspect of the change in my life is how much I have grown from these experiences of change. Growth would be then next word to describe at least the past few months; I feel like that is all I have been doing since I came down here to New Orleans. And I don't mean just maturation of myself, but my way of thinking is maturing, my spirituality has grown, I am growing in understanding my sexuality more, and in fact I seem to be learning something new about myself at least once a week. I know that when I say that people ask, what changes have you been noticing lately, well one that I noticed recently, is that I am very capable of living hundreds of miles away from my parents and be able to take almost complete care of myself.
Independence is something that I have always valued in my life, and I told my mom as they were driving me to the airport to come back to NOLA. I have always been wanting to move away from home, I have never wanted to live in Erie Pennsylvania for the rest of my life. I wasn't expecting to move all the way to New Orleans Louisiana, but God works in mysterious ways. Honestly I have no idea where the next point in my life will be. I could be doing another year of volunteer work, or I could be just working for real, or a I could be starting Grad school. I am very open to any of the options I just presented.
I was thinking about what I wanted to see happen in this upcoming year, and I figured I want to see at least four things to happen; 1) I want to be in a stable job (even if it is a volunteer position) 2) I want to be living in New Orleans somewhere 3) I want to be sitting in Starbucks next year at this time having and living with a boyfriend 4) I want to still be doing something that I am passionate about.
I know that these are oddly specific, or maybe they are even just a bit vague, but I would like it if all of those could happen in some form or another. I am not asking to settle down, I am just asking that I have some of those happening. I would also to be working harder in my current job position, making more of a long term impact on what I am doing, making the most of what I am doing right now. I think this is a good thing for me, and I would love it if I could be making more of an impact than I am making now. I think that it would be cool to be doing something like this again, if the opportunity presents itself, I am not one to plan out my life (we all know this by now, how could I have planned this?) I am aware that I can't mature fully, but I am enjoying the growing up that I am doing so far, as scary as it is sometimes, I don't mind doing it on occasion.
Well I think that is enough reflection/rambling for now, I think I will leave this post off for now.
Happy New Year Y'all!! It is a new season, and a new time, welcome to 2013!
Peace!
Sunday, December 2, 2012
Reflection on my time in New Orleans thus far
I would first like to make it known that I am sitting here writing this post in shorts and a t-shirt, it is December 2nd, and almost 76 degrees today.
Now that we have that little bragging out of the way for those of you who are reading this from up north freezing inside. I am mostly writing this post as a reflection on the past three and a half months that I have been down here in New Orleans. It seems like the months are just flying by, and all I am doing is going through a constant series of changes, growing up, learning, and loving every minute of my time down in New Orleans. I think that the biggest changes in my life right now are that I am more spiritually connected now than I have ever been in my entire life, I feel like I am getting the most exciting gift of being able to explore this part of who I am. Another major change in my life right now would be that I think I may have found what I would like to do as a career. I am looking at going to graduate school for Social Work, which I know of one person who reads my posts who will enjoy knowing this fact.
My journey to coming to terms with these major changes has been filled with ups and downs, lots of questions, discernment of my passions in life, and long talks with many different people. I knew that when I moved down here that I would be going through a lot of changes and growing, but I had no idea the emotional roller coaster that I would be stepping on to. I feel very blessed to have been given the opportunity to do this year of service, because this is a year that is going far beyond volunteering, I am being given the chance to take a year and learn more about myself then I have ever known. I can take chances, follow my passions, learn tons of new things, and grow in ways I never knew I would. I know that I have passed the time for thanksgiving by about a week now, but Christmas is also a time to be thankful, and realize all that you have been blessed with in your life.
I have been blessed with an extremely loving compassionate, supportive family, a new family down here in New Orleans who I have grown to love each day. I am blessed to be given the opportunity to grow, help, give, learn, and find all that I am and what I can be. I have been blessed with the gift of education, and the ever growing gift of continuing my education after this year.
I am hoping that my year is ever increasing in all that I learn, about both New Orleans and its amazing people, but also about myself and all that I am capable of doing. This isn't a really long post or rant, just a reflection and slight update since I have written in a while.
So until next time,
Peace and God Bless.
Now that we have that little bragging out of the way for those of you who are reading this from up north freezing inside. I am mostly writing this post as a reflection on the past three and a half months that I have been down here in New Orleans. It seems like the months are just flying by, and all I am doing is going through a constant series of changes, growing up, learning, and loving every minute of my time down in New Orleans. I think that the biggest changes in my life right now are that I am more spiritually connected now than I have ever been in my entire life, I feel like I am getting the most exciting gift of being able to explore this part of who I am. Another major change in my life right now would be that I think I may have found what I would like to do as a career. I am looking at going to graduate school for Social Work, which I know of one person who reads my posts who will enjoy knowing this fact.
My journey to coming to terms with these major changes has been filled with ups and downs, lots of questions, discernment of my passions in life, and long talks with many different people. I knew that when I moved down here that I would be going through a lot of changes and growing, but I had no idea the emotional roller coaster that I would be stepping on to. I feel very blessed to have been given the opportunity to do this year of service, because this is a year that is going far beyond volunteering, I am being given the chance to take a year and learn more about myself then I have ever known. I can take chances, follow my passions, learn tons of new things, and grow in ways I never knew I would. I know that I have passed the time for thanksgiving by about a week now, but Christmas is also a time to be thankful, and realize all that you have been blessed with in your life.
I have been blessed with an extremely loving compassionate, supportive family, a new family down here in New Orleans who I have grown to love each day. I am blessed to be given the opportunity to grow, help, give, learn, and find all that I am and what I can be. I have been blessed with the gift of education, and the ever growing gift of continuing my education after this year.
I am hoping that my year is ever increasing in all that I learn, about both New Orleans and its amazing people, but also about myself and all that I am capable of doing. This isn't a really long post or rant, just a reflection and slight update since I have written in a while.
So until next time,
Peace and God Bless.
Monday, November 19, 2012
Advocacy against Homelessness
I would consider myself to be a pretty socially self-conscious person, I am an advocate for Gay Rights, I would say that I am pretty well versed in youth advocacy, feminism, and in education issues. While I spent time at Gannon University, it was hard to not be aware of the homelessness in Erie, whether it was through Gannon's annual Hunger and Homelessness Week, or just walking down State St. and seeing all of the those who were unable to find a home. While I was aware of all of this, I never really educated myself on the true issues of homelessness in this country, I never really paid much attention to those who are without a home. When I came to New Orleans, I was still not very well versed or really knowledgeable of the homelessness in the city, until recently when I was very much made aware of how bad the government was about handling this issue.
In New Orleans, there is not much notice of the vast amounts of homelessness in the city because most of those who are homeless, stay in either the blighted homes or reside under the Pontchartrain Expressway underpass, right by the Super-dome (this is important to know.) They reside here because well when it does cold in New Orleans this is the safest and warmest place to be, it is also protected from rain and other people. This was true all up until just a few days ago when the City of New Orleans sent out an order officially telling all of the homeless under the underpass that they would breaking the law if they stayed there, putting up fences and signs saying they would be arrested if loitering. Now this was not an unprecedented event, the city was working prior to this with the cities missions to provide extra beds and food for all of the displaced people. The part of this sad story that makes me so angry is the timing and the reasons why the city decided on now as their time to take this action. The reason for displacing so many people, is because in two months New Orleans will be hosting the Super Bowl, which is why I mentioned the geographic location of the bridge to the Super Dome.
The plan is to erect a fence around the underpass, to keep out the homeless who usually reside there, and making sure they move to the cities not so many missions and shelters (who by the way are not receiving much extra money to feed or bed the over 300 homeless that are anticipated to be sheltered.) The city also did not tell the missions or anyone really when they were planning on executing the action. They did not go into the underpass with social workers or health care workers to help those with mental disorders or who have never had a home, find their way to the shelter or to the missions. The police simply came in told those who were there to leave, and put up fences and signs telling all who reside there to leave. I understand the cities reasons for executing the action, it was part for the Super Bowl, but also because of the ongoing residential complaints of the health and safety hazards of so many people living in this space (having recently had two rapes occur, as well as numerous accounts of public defecation.) I don't understand however how this is supposed to be a solution to the homeless issue in New Orleans, moving people around like cattle for vanity of the city, and making public notices is just a band aid solution to an on-going problem that is clearly going to return after the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras.
What am I going to do about this, now that I have ranted to you for three paragraphs, well I am going to start educating myself on the history and statistics of homelessness in not only New Orleans but also the US. I want to become an advocate against homelessness, I would like to spend more time trying to volunteer in the NOLA Mission, or even in Covenant House (one of the major shelters in the city.) I have realized that I have a passion for helping all of these people who shouldn't be treated like they are simply because they can't find a decent place to live.
Well until next time,
Peace and God Bless
In New Orleans, there is not much notice of the vast amounts of homelessness in the city because most of those who are homeless, stay in either the blighted homes or reside under the Pontchartrain Expressway underpass, right by the Super-dome (this is important to know.) They reside here because well when it does cold in New Orleans this is the safest and warmest place to be, it is also protected from rain and other people. This was true all up until just a few days ago when the City of New Orleans sent out an order officially telling all of the homeless under the underpass that they would breaking the law if they stayed there, putting up fences and signs saying they would be arrested if loitering. Now this was not an unprecedented event, the city was working prior to this with the cities missions to provide extra beds and food for all of the displaced people. The part of this sad story that makes me so angry is the timing and the reasons why the city decided on now as their time to take this action. The reason for displacing so many people, is because in two months New Orleans will be hosting the Super Bowl, which is why I mentioned the geographic location of the bridge to the Super Dome.
The plan is to erect a fence around the underpass, to keep out the homeless who usually reside there, and making sure they move to the cities not so many missions and shelters (who by the way are not receiving much extra money to feed or bed the over 300 homeless that are anticipated to be sheltered.) The city also did not tell the missions or anyone really when they were planning on executing the action. They did not go into the underpass with social workers or health care workers to help those with mental disorders or who have never had a home, find their way to the shelter or to the missions. The police simply came in told those who were there to leave, and put up fences and signs telling all who reside there to leave. I understand the cities reasons for executing the action, it was part for the Super Bowl, but also because of the ongoing residential complaints of the health and safety hazards of so many people living in this space (having recently had two rapes occur, as well as numerous accounts of public defecation.) I don't understand however how this is supposed to be a solution to the homeless issue in New Orleans, moving people around like cattle for vanity of the city, and making public notices is just a band aid solution to an on-going problem that is clearly going to return after the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras.
What am I going to do about this, now that I have ranted to you for three paragraphs, well I am going to start educating myself on the history and statistics of homelessness in not only New Orleans but also the US. I want to become an advocate against homelessness, I would like to spend more time trying to volunteer in the NOLA Mission, or even in Covenant House (one of the major shelters in the city.) I have realized that I have a passion for helping all of these people who shouldn't be treated like they are simply because they can't find a decent place to live.
Well until next time,
Peace and God Bless
Saturday, November 3, 2012
Removing Privilege From My Life
I have been in New Orleans for two and a half months now, and I have been meeting a lot of interesting people, even if just for a few moments. Every time I tell people here that I work in Central City, (mind you is also considered the murder capital of the country), I hear this statement, "God Bless you working in such a rough neighborhood, is it hard working with people who live in the Ghetto?" Every time I hear this kind of a statement, my first reaction is to laugh and think "I didn't even realize that I work in a ghetto." I am not blind in seeing all of the blight and drunkeness in the neighborhood that I work, but every person I have come across has a steady job, or is retired from a long time steady job, they have a large family, and are the kindest people I have ever known. Every time I hear those statements about how I am an angel for working in such harsh conditions or that I am a saint for volunteering in the ghetto of New Orleans, I want to ask those who make these statements, "have you ever taken the time to walk through Central City, and talk to some of the people there?" Because if they did they would probably notice that these people who they talk down about as if they are poor or homeless, are actually a lot like them, only happier.
When I first started hearing these statements about my being an angel or saint, I immediately thought about how that is what people said and those were questions asked when my mom taught in the Erie City School District. The way my mom got through all of the mistaken identities of those she was teaching, was to treat them like kids, which is what they wanted to be treated like. When I go to work and meet with people in Central City, I don't talk down to them, I talk to them like my equals. I give them the respect, that I would want from them. When I was first introduced to the people of my neighborhood, all of them told me I was welcome to come over and have coffee or dinner any time. When I worked with them on my second event on Halloween, I made so many friends with the residents of the neighborhood working with them giving out candy to kids. I have seen nothing but open arms and happy faces every time I have meetings with my residents in the neighborhood.
Working down here in New Orleans has also given me some insight about what Erie would look like if every one would stop looking at those on State Street with the respect that we would want for ourselves. Really I have to stop and think about what the world would look like if we all stopped talking to each other with a privileged filter, but rather just talked to each other with respect and dignity. This may sound like a late revelation, but I feel like I have found out something that I was supposed to find out a long time ago. I think that I have spent so much of my time down here trying to convince myself that I am helping those less fortunate, really I am down here just giving my time to those who need some help. They are asking that I help them do something, and take action, giving their neighborhood some dignity in the city, giving Central City a new view.
I am going to challenge myself from now on, and I am going to challenge one bit further, I challenge anyone reading my blog. My challenge is this, anyone that you talk to throughout your days, or lives, anyone, take down the walls of privilege, and talk to them like they are your friend. Give them the respect you would want when you are being talked to. I am going to do that from this day forward, I am not going to be a privileged white kid anymore, I am going to only talk to people with the respect that I would give myself. If you care to try, I would love to hear about your experiences with this. It is not an experiment, just a change of lifestyle.
I think we will be surprised at how many people will be nicer and more welcoming to us in return, just by giving them respect, and not acting like we are better then them.
Well until next time.
Peace, and God Bless. ☮
When I first started hearing these statements about my being an angel or saint, I immediately thought about how that is what people said and those were questions asked when my mom taught in the Erie City School District. The way my mom got through all of the mistaken identities of those she was teaching, was to treat them like kids, which is what they wanted to be treated like. When I go to work and meet with people in Central City, I don't talk down to them, I talk to them like my equals. I give them the respect, that I would want from them. When I was first introduced to the people of my neighborhood, all of them told me I was welcome to come over and have coffee or dinner any time. When I worked with them on my second event on Halloween, I made so many friends with the residents of the neighborhood working with them giving out candy to kids. I have seen nothing but open arms and happy faces every time I have meetings with my residents in the neighborhood.
Working down here in New Orleans has also given me some insight about what Erie would look like if every one would stop looking at those on State Street with the respect that we would want for ourselves. Really I have to stop and think about what the world would look like if we all stopped talking to each other with a privileged filter, but rather just talked to each other with respect and dignity. This may sound like a late revelation, but I feel like I have found out something that I was supposed to find out a long time ago. I think that I have spent so much of my time down here trying to convince myself that I am helping those less fortunate, really I am down here just giving my time to those who need some help. They are asking that I help them do something, and take action, giving their neighborhood some dignity in the city, giving Central City a new view.
I am going to challenge myself from now on, and I am going to challenge one bit further, I challenge anyone reading my blog. My challenge is this, anyone that you talk to throughout your days, or lives, anyone, take down the walls of privilege, and talk to them like they are your friend. Give them the respect you would want when you are being talked to. I am going to do that from this day forward, I am not going to be a privileged white kid anymore, I am going to only talk to people with the respect that I would give myself. If you care to try, I would love to hear about your experiences with this. It is not an experiment, just a change of lifestyle.
I think we will be surprised at how many people will be nicer and more welcoming to us in return, just by giving them respect, and not acting like we are better then them.
Well until next time.
Peace, and God Bless. ☮
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)