Over the years, living in the US, which attracts people from all over the world, gave me a chance to interact with many different nationalities. If you are an open-minded person with awareness, I find this experience very fortunate since it genuinely helps you understand the world & humankind better.
It helps you get out of your own nationality’s bubble and makes you realize, we are all ONE. All races have similar pains just being delivered in different forms. Each country has its own beauty, and each and every religion is driven by basically need to believe something bigger than yourself. So life feels more meaningful and gets more manageable. We are all born, try to survive, and make life a bit more fun with distractions like producing more humans, finding hobbies, saving money to keep turning around the world what we call “travel” and following already installed passions. Then we die. Very simple and can be super sweet if not taken way too seriously.
However, it’s not that simple for everyone. Some people do carry very narrow sight. Everyone only raises their voice IF ONLY their “own” friend, country, religion, etc. is in trouble. And this actually is the leading cause of why humans keep finding themselves in these situations that “requires help.” I understand living in clans and being part of a group is in us as animals and makes us feel safe. But this division is the one feeding this vicious circle.
Some countries are too fanatic, stuck in the past. Some just want to live in a wonderland and ignore all “bad news.” I talked to an American friend, and as soon as I opened up the Ukraine topic to express my sadness, he got uncomfortable. I experienced this while conflicts were happening in Turkey back in 2016 or while collecting donations for Ahbap Turkey while Fire disasters were happening.
I was having a hard time sharing my pain with work friends because they were getting “uncomfortable” talking about it. I was like, WHY? Ugh… Maybe it is a country with a “mostly” Muslim population, that is why? Or I get it, you do enjoy stereotyping, are not open-minded, neither well-traveled. Your next plane tickets on me! Just take the first step. Study that world map and start making some international friends! :)
“Fires” were a WORLD problem, and the same applies to this “war,”… Especially this kind of war where civilians, kids, and old people are dying… Anyways, just another sad day that I am trying to find healing through words.
My husband’s family are Ukrainian immigrants. So I got to know the culture and nation better over the years. Truly hard-working, realistic, humble people full of hope and a great sense of humor! They truly know how to appreciate small things in life. If it is your birthday, they first buy flowers for your MOM to say congrats. I also got to work with many brilliant minds from Ukraine whom I currently exchange digital letters. Letters full of hopelessness. Help Ukraine today…
⭐ 2 ways to help:
• Organizations:
One of my LA clients at Studioz.LA, who is originally Ukrainian, just gathered this list of trustworthy big organizations. We published the post today; you can go ahead and donate to one of these organizations: https://lenasworld.com/ways-to-help-ukraine-%f0%9f%87%ba%f0%9f%87%a6/
• Direct help:
My sis in law Yana Nirshberg collects donations; she sends them directly to relatives and friends in Ukraine. Check my previous post & Yana’s profile for more info on that: https://www.paypal.com/pools/c/8HHA1VwuNR
