Unfulfilled Purpose

The reality of Believe in your Purpose is some people never reach their purpose. They may think, wonder, dream, write, or talk about it, but it just never comes true for them.  They are battling an environment that does not allow them to run towards their purpose rather it pushes them away. With those of underprivledged communities, the opportunity, the need, the job position, the economy, the government-it's just not there to support them.  Some people can believe, but the delivery or following through on their purpose may be difficult to obtain.

The beautiful thing is that people make the most of what they're given. People of countries like India, Cambodia, Honduras, Nicaragua, Morocco-they utilize the tools they have been given to live.  The fruits and vegetables are a main way to earn money.  Selling items in the markets such as: electronics, furniture, second hand clothing, etc. People never fail to come up with the most creative ideas to make money.  God provides these ideas for people to survive and to get by.  They have a family to feed and they are just making enough to meet basic needs. For example, Jose may always dream to be a painter, but he sells Icecream everyday on his bike. In his spare time, he has to raise his four kids as his wife also work 60 hours a week. Without a supportive source or a supportive society, Jose will not make the push to try and pursue painting.  The income and supporting his family is what comes first in third world countries.  The variety of jobs available to those without a college education and the ability to speak English is very slim.  These people can believe in their purpose, but living in their purpose is difficult to obtain.  

Being aware of this fact, I am fully aware of my duty to people.  When I travel, it is my job to help people of all ages, colors, and backgrounds to Believe in their Purpose. There are countless moments where I am sitting with a young child who wants to go to college and become a lawyer.  A man with no legs in front of the cathedral who wants have his own shop selling balloons. A woman with five kids who wants to finish up her nursing degree.  A young girl going to medical school when she wants to become a lawyer.  A 7 year old boy who wants to help people in social work.

Everywhere I go the need for purpose surrounds me.  If it is not verbalized to me, their spirit is calling for it.  The guy cleaning floors everyday for 20 years does not want that job, but it realistically fits his needs. He will not leave to explore his purpose because he is afraid he can't find another job OR he is going to end up in the same kind of job because that is where society places him.

Truly I want the best for people, but most of the times these countries do not have the same intentions. The NGOs and the organizations may want the best for people, but government could truly care less about it's people unless they are of high society.

There is no other choice except for me to listen to them and let them share their purpose.  If they want to talk for an hour. I have to listen and be inspirational and motivational and empowering, but always realistic when assessing their potential.  I encourage them to write about it paint about it and still dream about it.

Our dreams should not go unrecognized with an unfulfilled purpose

Youth, Gangs, Shots Fired

As for the youth age 14-20, I had individual sessions with them about their life struggles, environmental pressure, handling anger, family situations, social supports, making short term and long term goals, jobs, and independent living skills.  It was difficult to meet with the youth because of the time frame I had allotted for youth. With my  curfew at Monkey Bay, I could only run the youth groups from 2 to 5 and this was not the time the youth were available.  Youth came out after 6 or 6:30 and for my Director, this was past dark and past my curfew.  I did the best that I could with the youth I did meet. I also personally went to the homes to stop by and meet them.  Many times they were not home, but at least I tried. 

As for my youth I did meet, they were all boys with the exception of a few girls.  The one young girl was completely house bound.  She was home schooled and only let out of the house with adult supervision.   She was sixteen and one could imagine how tough this must me for a young girl.  Her mother wanted to protect her from all the trouble going on outside, which there was trouble. Drug use, burglary/theft, and promiscuous behaviors i.e. girls pregnant at 12 years old. We discussed some ways to find her freedom and enjoy herself. I requested to speak with her mother, but her mother was working during the day. 

 One young boy was applying to work at a computer store and we practiced interviewing. Another was just turning his life around from gangs and fighting. He found himself in the same struggle most do-trying to stay away. This was very common territory and it flash backed right to Compton when I worked with those caught in gang wars.  It's truly such an awful thing when you want out of a gang, but you are stuck living right in the middle of it.  

The thing with gangs in Belize is that there is red vs. blue and there is the power of association.  This is present in all gangs, but in Belize it seems like more of a chain effect.  When you are a part of the gang, everyone around you is involved.  Just 2 boys were killed that day at the local store. Shot. Point blank. They had no gang association, but their cousin did so they shot them.  It was so sad what was happening just when I was there. There was one death after the next with gang violence. 

 One of our mentors, Mama Jones, did not show up for her jewelry lesson because her grandson was shot and killed. It was all connected with this person knowing that person and a whole community left completely saddened. How could something like this happen all in just one week? It was complete tragedy hearing one story after the next all due to gang violence.

 Of course nothing is being done by the government to prevent this rather it continues to be problematic in the community.   Even Mama Jones said, there is nothing that we can do rather we just have to pray. And that is what we did. We prayed for those young souls lost due to gang violence.