Last week I was laid off from my job of 20 years as part of the Holistic (CAM)Complementary Alternative Medicine team at a non-profit HIV day treatment program. It was a sad day for the 4 of us, 2 Acupuncturists, a Massage Therapist and I. We have been a solid core of the agency since it's beginning. The clients and staff used our services immensely. We were always busy treating, making herbal remedies or aromatherapy oils, counseling, listening and loving. So it's a sad time for all involved and a statement of where our society is going. Not valuing the things of value or investing in health and healing, neither globally nor for individuals. Making decisions based on one thing, the "bottom line" of profit. And it is the bottom. Money has become the source of everything. But money can not replace care and skill, true service, the valuable parts of being a human or animal or plant on this earth.
And so I must now find other places and people who need my skills, service and love and care. My task is to identify the above and propose an exchange of my service for their money, so I can pay my bills. Isn't it a shame. We are all trapped in this capitalistic game.
I do barter, but the bank, Con Ed or Nat'l Grid won't barter for my mortgage or utilities. So I have to earn money.
So I have hope and faith that I will create good for myself and the other.
The morning after the announcement of our termination, I awoke to the songs of a Mockingbird in my back yard. I had been doing creative visualization/ thinking to attract this Mockingbird for the last 2 years. I love birds and their songs. It was a sign of hope to me, a good omen.
I pray the Mockingbird, the Cardinals and other sparrows keep singing for me, sustaining my spirit and giving me hope for the future.
