sending prayers to haiti

so many paths that wind and wind, when just the art of being kind is all this sad world needs

when i first starting working at my volunteer project, i couldn't stop thinking about how bad i felt for these kids---thinking about how little they had, what poor circumstances they live in, with their families barely getting by each day. then i see something like the earthquake that hit haiti, taking away everything from people--their houses, belongings, and for many, their lives and their loved ones.

so maybe the kids in costa rica don't have it as bad as i think... i realize that they're lucky to wake up every morning, have clothes on their back and a shelter over their head. i realize that i too am lucky to wake up each morning, to be here in costa rica giving up some of myself to help people in need. the more time i spend here, i realize how happy i am to actually be here, to be giving back and doing things for someone other than myself. there have been days in the past two weeks that i question why i'm here or if i'm really "helping" these kids but i have to realize that if i don't show up in the morning, these kids are just running in the street and not learning anything. not practicing writing and reading, not learning new words, not coloring or playing games.... all it takes is giving up even just a little bit of yourself and you'd be surprised at how far is goes. the same goes for the tragedy in haiti---a little bit goes a long way so do anything you can. even if it's only sending $5 or saying an extra prayer for those affected, every little bit helps.

"at each stage of learning, we must give up something, even if it is a way of life that we have always known"