Lighting up the world, each of our gifts making it a bit brighter.
This is one of the tenets we hold at Seeds of Exchange.

Together, with you, we are IGNITING a global movement of
connection, purpose, and dignity, for all.
That sounds good, doesn’t it?
But, dang – life is overwhelming sometimes.
We know that for some of you it’s been a bugger of a day. Or a week…or more.
Health, money, relationships…life can be really, really hard.

It was for me last night when one of my kids tearfully
shared before dinner some deep struggles with me, about how I parent.
This kid was honest, “bruitfully” (beautifully – brutally) so.
I mean, it ended up being “good”, opening up real and important conversation in our family.

But, my goodness, it wasn’t easy.
I felt hit in the gut, the wind knocked out of me.
I remember thinking, good grief, who do I think I’m doing in this Seeds community work?
I felt disqualified, a bit ashamed.
[ For sure, this kid of mine no doubt would have agreed! ]

But, after some quiet reflection, a few tears, prayer,
I know it.  These struggles don’t disqualify me at all.
They just make me more human.

I get it – life can be so rough.
We lit a candle last month at our Seeds event for our sistah, Fatouma, whose son had just passed away.
He was young. She was not ready to say goodbye.
She needed us to BE with her.

This is what we do.  We light candles, cultivate hope and beauty amidst the pain and struggle.

Wherever you find yourself – excited, stressed, curious, tired.
On top of the world or at rock bottom.
I invite you to take a breath.
Another one…deeper still.

Now, friends, full of breath and pause,
take in this poem by Martha Postlewaite.

Do not try to save the whole world or do anything grandiose. Instead, create a clearing in the dense forest of your life and wait there patiently, until the song that is your life falls into your own cupped hands and you recognize and greet it. Only then will you know how to give yourself to this world so worth of rescue.

This is our goal.
Before we do anything, say anything, dance, sing, be inspired by this dynamic community,
we want you to feel welcome.
To just be.
To be you.

Welcome to our kula (community).
You belong here.

And, my goodness, did we ever have an amazing evening after all!
February 13, 2017 | Togo, Kenya, Uganda, Democratic Republic of the Congo
story | inspired action