When I drive to work every morning I take a route that is not necessarily the shortest in distance, but it is the most beneficial to my spirit. You see, I frequently drive through an area that is underserved and has limited economic development.
While some people call areas like the one on my morning commute “the hood” or “the ghetto,” I affectionately call it the heart of the community.
The benefits I receive every time I drive through the heart of the community are too numerous to name, but here are a few: humility, thankfulness, and sensitivity.
As I drive my car down the narrow two lane street on the city’s Eastside I am reminded of the importance of staying humble. While I am fortunate enough to have a vehicle to drive, I don’t take my situation for granted. I realize that I could very easily be one of the people walking down the street or standing on the bus line waiting for the next IndyGo. And while I’m blessed with transportation, I think it’s important that we always remain humble. My mother used to always say, “God can take your blessings away just as quick as he gave them to you.” Always one to heed my mother’s words, I never obsess over things. Don’t get me wrong; I like nice things, but I never obsess over them. I know people who are fixated with material items, yet despite their possessions deep down inside they seem to be lonely, miserable souls.
While humility is a characteristic that evokes emotion within us, it also teaches us something: sensitivity. I am a firm believer that when we are humble and humane, it makes us more sensitive beings. Some people may frown on sensitivity and look at it as a sign of weakness, but I think it’s actually a sign of strength; particularly when it is displayed towards others. In everything that we do, we should be sensitive to the plight of others. I sometimes find myself chuckling at people who claim to be compassionate and caring, yet they look down their noses at someone who is different than they are. They frown at those who may not have financial security or the fortitude to fight battles. It amazes me how these people who actually have the ability to affect change, don’t.
If I had one wish, I would wish for people to become more sensitive towards others. Once we are able to sympathize with others, we open ourselves up to their experiences and can then help them with their situations by giving them the necessary tools to succeed. In essence, our effort to equip people with tools actually empowers them. What a powerful deed.
As Thanksgiving approaches, it’s easy for me to proclaim what I’m thankful for. I’m thankful for my health, my family and friends who care deeply for me, my career, my mind, all the blessings God has bestowed upon me, and I am especially thankful for peace of mind.
This world can be a crazy place and it can be unfair too. As I reflected on the things I’m thankful for, I also thought of others who may be finding it difficult to give thanks this holiday season.
I thought of three women I personally know who are all battling cancer. I thought of the man who will spend his first Thanksgiving without his wife because she died earlier this year. I thought of the men and women who are currently serving life sentences in prison. I thought of the millions of children who are in the foster care, without the love of a parent.
And I thought of all the people in other parts of the world who are suffering from famine and disease, being ruled under a dictatorship, or who face the constant threat of war and genocide. As I think of those who are less fortunate than myself, I pray for them and give continuous thanks for all that I have. It’s so easy for us to forget how good we have it, even when things aren’t as good as we would like them to be.
This Thanksgiving, I thank all Recorder readers for your continued support of this newspaper and our staff. I wish you happiness, peace and many blessings in the future. Happy Thanksgiving!
You can email comments to Shannon Williams at shannonw@indyrecorder.com.
