For the last few weeks, I couldn’t stop thinking about these words: “The act of service.”
And how brave is the space that people will take to be in service?
It’s not an easy job to stand up and say, “I’m here to serve. I’m here to help. Go ahead and ask me questions. Put me in the lights, as well as the fire.”
The fire of passion — the passion to help, to be available for others.
The fire of the spotlights — the pressure of being in public, most and sometimes all of the time.
The fire of judging yourself — trying to always be honest, and connected to the people that you choose to serve.
I’m talking today about the beauty of freedom. We shouldn’t take that for granted.
The freedom of choosing our leaders.
The democracy that we are blessed with here in Canada.
And how authority comes with a big responsibility.
I found my journey of learning to practice voting very interesting. I learned that I am responsible too.
We all are.
We are all responsible for creating a better and safer community for everyone, each day.
It’s not only the day of the election. It’s what we are doing every day, and what we do between one election and the next.
We have to keep in mind, and in our hearts, that we are all connected.
If my neighbour is safe, I am safe
If their children are safe, my children are safe too.
The connections that we build as a community make us all responsible. Voting is part of this responsibility.
We shouldn’t take the safety and freedoms we are blessed with here in Canada for granted. These are things people can die for in other countries. This is a fact.
I look with the eyes of respect at everyone who is putting themselves in service, raising their hands and saying:
“Yes. I want to be part of the bigger picture.”
We are all Warriors in our own positions.
In a big circle, we are all connected, working to make our community better every day.
A safe place. A place that includes everyone.
This is the Canada that I fell in love with.
The Canada I want my kids to serve — by making better choices for themselves and for others, every day.
Authority comes with power and responsibility.
Let’s honour this intention and be part of the creation of a better community.
It’s not a one-person job to do that.
It’s our job.
We, the people — everyone — are part of the decision.
Don’t take it for granted.
The freedom.
The safety.
Even the simple thought that we can choose.
Yes. Yes, we can.
Not only on election day, but every day, we choose to do the work — from our own spaces, our own neighbourhoods, and within our community.
Let’s highlight each other.
No one is losing. Everyone is winning when we look at the bigger picture, because we are all serving on the front lines.
Because in the circle, there is no one in the front and no one in the back.
We are all connected.
Yaffa Goawily – Art Specialist
Art Advisor – Community Development through Art
Yafa Arts & Crafts www.yaffa.ca
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