During these dark times, I want to share with you some light.

 

For the last 2 years we have been holding free, worldwide Gratitude Circles in Zoom.

 

It felt like a good way to sink into a connection vibe with people while we were stuck in isolation for a few weeks(!). Two years later we are still doing it, and have added a 3rd gathering at 3am PST, which is noon for the Europeans.

 

A welcoming, open-hearted community has grown around the practice. But the relationships go way beyond Zoom. Many participants have met IRL, some have fallen in love, and there has been 25+ vanlife meetups (thank you, Sean)  and much international travel to strengthen the connections.

Anna is a participant in Ukraine. She usually participates in the 3am PST (noon, European) circle and the noon PST gatherings.

 

We say in Hug Nation, "It doesn't matter where your feet are. It matters where your heart is."

And so we connect, with open hearts, around the world every day.

 

But 4 days ago, it DID matter where Anna's feet were. Being in Kyiv (Kiev) was getting more and more dangerous and Anna feared for her children's safety.

 

She fled the city and made it to a town 70 kilometers from the Polish border.

Not sure if she would have to walk the rest of the way, Anna was lucky to get on a train and make it to the border of Poland with her kids (and their dog!)

 

 

Meanwhile, in Paris, Mady and Richard felt the call. Mady is a 3am PST gratitude circle regular and proposed an extraction. Richard drove 10 hours to Aachen, Germany, to pick up another Gratitude Circle regular, Alex.  

After a little sleep in Berlin, Alex and Richard drove another 10 hours to Poland's border with Ukraine.

 

I can't imagine what it would be like to parent a child while waiting in line to cross a border as a refugee.

 

But thank god, Anna & her kids, eventually got through.

 

They were able to find Richard and Alex (Hallelujah!) and were whisked away and are headed to Paris. As I post this, they are recharging in Germany at Azzuro's home, another member of the Hug Nation community.

 

These individual people live many miles apart separated by borders and politics and culture.   

But they've all opened their hearts to one another during the Pandemic through webcams and words.  They opened up to connection and love.

 

Digital hugs can be felt deeper than you may realize.

 

 

 

 

 

In a time of so much darkness, it feels so good to hear examples of light. 

It is so good to remember what the world can be like when we shift our identity to "Ambassador of Love."

We are the helpers. 

And the more we practice, the more we inspire. 

Don’t ignore the darkness. But no matter how bleak things seem, don’t forget that we all have the ability to spread light.
 
Together we can make her uncertain future a little easier.

 

Now Anna is starting new. She has lots of refugee forms and paperwork to figure out. Mady and Richard are providing a safe roof and warm beds.   She has everything that matters, but has lost all of her belongings.
 
Thank you for helping contribute towards a fund for food, public transportation, medical expenses, comfort, legal aid, clothing, or whatever Anna needs most to feel safe.

BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, look for all the ways that you can be a helper in YOUR world. Tiny things. Small acts of kindness and connection.

 

And please join us in a Gratitude Circle any day !