Shaka, when the walls fell

I have been trying to keep my arms wide, and eyes wide for a while.  Trying to be more observant, more forward thinking, and hopefully more empathetic and not stuck in data/words/budgets/etc.  

I was reminded recently that I still have a ways to go.  Not that I was getting cocky, no way.  But, during some regular sponsor communication with a Milk Project sponsor, I shared a picture Maria had sent me.  In her notes, she pointed out that this older boy was wearing pink flip flops because he had no shoes and was wearing his mom's to come to the project.  

I had not noticed.  What was worse, upon including this sobering note to the sponsor, who was much more eagle eyed...she responded that he was wearing those same sandals in another picture posted to social media two weeks prior.  I missed that too.  

Sometimes I see smiling kids, being fed, participating in activities, and doing homework...and forget a truth that I heard again today from Stephen Colbert..."everyone is suffering."  

Trying to see where someone else is, how they are suffering, whether physical, emotional or spiritual...is not always easy.  It takes time and purposefulness.  I have found, ultimately, it takes a Higher Power.  

But we will still fail.  And we also suffer.  We all share in that.  

Sometimes the best way to move forward is to find people with whom we can share those failures and struggles, and the faith that enables us to get back up, as well as lift each other up.