The weekend in Stockholm was amazing! I met so many wonderful people who were full of love for one another. Lots of hugs and smiles. I felt the beauty of humanity as we came together for our freedom. Those of you who think I am crazy, maybe I am, but I am still full of love for you and don’t want any issue to divide us. I want it to bring us together in understanding and respect for one another. The freedom to allow discussions and debate without it turning to hate. We are here to learn from one another, love another, and be together. If this was not so we wouldn’t be here at the same time, we would all be living separately.

There has been a push to separate us from one another, to divide and thus conquer. I love people and I believe there is good in everyone. It may not always be evident but it is there. Some of us hide behind anger, fears, judgment, expectations, or any number of things but we need to look at people with love. We are all going through something and most of us will never fully understand. This is part of the purpose of my blog. I too am going through something and I hope my sharing will help you see the vulnerable parts of me. I am a spiritual being having a human experience. Someone who is fragile and wants to be loved, wanted, desired and cared for on the deepest levels. This life is a test where we will see what we are made of and discover who we can become. If we turn to hate instead of love are we any better than the person we are turning from? God asks us to LOVE!

The high from the weekend ended with a migraine but a quiet ride home and self-care soon eased the suffering. I was not able to see my friend Lena, as originally planned which was sad. We did have a nice conversation on the phone.

I also attended an online information seminar on volunteering for the regional mission called Stadsmission. Its mission is to help those struggling in poverty and homelessness. They want to help those in need in a variety of ways. They have many different opportunities to help, which I can see myself serving. This will be beneficial to my own mental health. I now have to decide which area to start. The meal services would be washing dishes to start until you see how it works. There is, unfortunately, a huge need in this area.

I have come to know someone from Romania who has come seeking a better life. All he wants is a job to support a family and a stable life. It brings many to Sweden from poorer European countries. Finding a job is difficult for many reasons. Housing is also challenging and without housing, you don’t have clean clothes, a place to shower, sleep and rest for the day ahead. Services are available but are limited. It is difficult to think of anything else when your basic needs are not met. I see the generosity in my friend as he gives to others before thinking of himself sometimes.

The worry and stress is real. They want to provide for their parents or loved ones in their beloved homeland. They want to work but it is difficult to find work and pay to support a family in their own country. They love their home, customs, and traditions. Many search garbage cans for things they can use or pawn (cans, bottles, etc which they can turn in for money), some play music for a few kronor or are on their knees or sitting begging outside the marketplaces.

Some sell magazines to help support themselves. They purchase the magazines for 40 kronor each and sell them for 80. Some people give them cash but it is rare for Swedish people to have cash as they are a cashless society. The company, Faktum, provides them a way to give money easily using Swish (like venmo, paypal, etc). The money they earn with swish they can get the next morning. They literally live day to day, always wondering where their next meal is coming from, will they have a place to sleep, etc. They stand in the cold winter elements all day and hope to get enough to provide for their family. Some days are good but a lot of people don’t know how to help and honestly neither do I. All are trying to find a way to provide but I have seen the struggle personally with my friend. I see things now from a different perspective.

Perhaps I can do more, but I will start by volunteering my time. I hope to show kindness and love to those in need. Most are making an effort and I can not even imagine the humbling experience of begging for a coin to buy food to eat. Yes, sometimes they make dumb choices, just like people everywhere. Yes, perhaps they are making the choice to be homeless in some cases but many want to have a better life. Not to be rich, just a better life. Some have no idea what that even looks like. Is this the solution? I am not sure. We can not help everyone but what if we could help someone.

Coming from the USA I have absolutely no understanding of what these people are going through. I have indeed been very fortunate. I have very little to worry about in comparison. In loving and helping someone who is trying to help themselves I hope to become a more generous, kind and understanding person.

Can we give ourselves over to loving others despite fear? Can we overcome this great divide happening in our world? Can you love your neighbor as yourself and God with all your heart, might, mind and strength? Is it possible to have such love? I have great hope it is. With the love of a Heavenly Father, we can also love. With Him nothing is impossible. He created us to love and be loved. May we show it to all we meet this week.