Refugee Week

This week is National Refugee week. I attended a First Aid course to update my skills at the local Red Cross Centre. This was organised for cross cultural groups and I feel honoured to say I know many of the people who attended.
There was a lovely mix of many cultures, religions, races and languages but the best part was that we all recognised that we are each quintessentially human and sharing this beautiful planet. After learning to save lives with training in first aid practical methods, conversation also touched on saving lives in other ways.
Several participants gave their stories of arriving as refugees in England and how after terrible turmoil and emotional distress, they eventually found their feet and created new lives through hard work and the opportunities afforded them by this country. It actually made me feel 'proud' that we help many people who are completely dispossessed through no fault of their own. There but for the grace of god go all of us. Also I personally feel we have a legacy of good fortune built upon the backs of many of the countries from which these people originate and therefore we have a 'duty' to support them as they try to rebuild their lives. Throughout history we have been interconnected.
Indeed as humans upon this planet we are all inextricably connected. What one country does affects all others in a ripple effect around the world. We cannot shut our eyes and ears to suffering anywhere on the globe as it is a reflection of our own individual soul journey. What we neglect on the outside will have repercussions upon our internal world even if we have no obvious conscious awareness of this.
Through joining hands with our neighbours, be that within our own neighbourhood or on a larger scale, we can make a difference to how everyone lives. It is time to recognise that your values and actions can create tremendous shifts in attitudes in others. What you do is valuable even if it is a small gesture such as a smile - if it is sincere it will reach the heart of another.
So reach out to those around you and offer assistance. You will be surprised at the love and raised self esteem you will experience in return. There is no separation, we are all one.