"It's kind of fun to do the impossible."
-- Walt Disney
Get Involved
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"It's kind of fun to do the impossible." -- Walt Disney
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Get Involved
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August 28, 2008 | |||||||
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 That Human Touch by Celeste Wilson Posted July 18, 2002 Motivated by examples of how genuine human kindness has the power to turn people's lives around, one woman envisions her own constructive pursuit and resolves to begin it. NEW Reader Responses are a goodthing! Join the conversation! Fellow GoodLetter readers, My name is Celeste Wilson, and I live in Colorado. Until recently, I had been homeless for two years, as a result of multiple sclerosis. I am working to begin my own non-profit organization, the Box Foundation. I have some college education, and I was a professional at one point, earning an excellent income, before a rape threw me into trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder. After subsequent psychological and personal problems, I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and was unable to work. I became homeless, living in my truck. I have been recently been approved for disability, and after two years of being homeless, I have finally gotten an apartment and found housing assistance. I was deeply touched by last week's GoodLetter about the non-profit Women of Means from Judith Perry in Boston [#95, Means To A Better End]. While I was homeless these past two years and living off credit cards, I knew I had to do one thing to keep my self-esteem up. So I took one class at the college each semester. The class I chose was the Honors seminar series class, the first step in an attempt to go back and finally finish my degree. This Honors class allowed me to study the marginalized community of the homeless on both the community level and the national level -- while I lived the experience -- and then present my findings to colleges throughout the state and then the western United States at a regional conference. I have been so moved by my experiences -- mostly by reading the writings of other homeless individuals, by realizing how deeply their self-esteem is affected, how much self-esteem is lost, by hearing the questions people ask, and by realizing that lack of communication is creating a barrier, a gap that some of the homeless -- unless that gap is bridged -- will never be able to cross. The lack of self-esteem, the loss of family, the loss of friends, the loss of community that the homeless experience was astonishing to me, both as I experienced it, and as I read the words of others that came from their hearts. By beginning her non-profit and by providing health care to homeless women, Dr. Roseanna Means gave more than health care; she gave them the feeling of being cared about. Doctors in our society give health care all the time without hearing their patients. Without listening. Listening is essential to self- esteem, as is knowing you are heard and knowing you are not invisible. That is the core idea behind the Box Foundation. The Box Foundation will collect used goods to be distributed to homeless people, but the emphasis will be on new items. So many people shop at bulk warehouse stores such as Sam's and Costco these days, where they want one tube of toothpaste but buy three. They can throw one of the tubes of toothpaste in a box they keep in their house. Or if they shop at K-Mart or Target, they can just buy a package of underwear or socks or soap or shaving cream or razors or an extra toothbrush and throw it in the box. That's why my non-profit will be called the Box Foundation. We'll accept the used books they are not going to keep. We'll need "forgotten" items that other non-profits overlook. Since the Box Foundation is a new organization, people have asked me why I will not be distributing the goods through other already established foundations. To me, what Dr. Means offers her patients is my example of why. A tube of toothpaste doesn't raise self-esteem, nor does a package of socks. Being recognized by another human being, being able to talk, being listened to, and being looked in the eye is vital in our world. It lets an individual know they are alive, they have value and worth, they are not forgotten, and they are worthy not just of used goods, but of new things, of effort, of time, of hearing their own name spoken, of getting to know their name, and of human contact. I want the Box Foundation to be able to add this kind of outreach to homeless and disadvantaged people. Humans need human contact. Being homeless often means no one will look you in the eye, ever ask your name, or care about you. It means forgotten holidays. I once read something in the Denver Voice homeless newspaper, written by a homeless man. He stated he wanted to be part of the world in "dance, song, laughter, food, prayer, sports, food, and merry times...and I miss it so...I miss you so...do you know how long it's been since I've played?"...I miss the touch of human companionship so." A number of such writings have moved me incredibly. I wish I could quote them all. My point is this: human touch is vital to health, and listening is vital, and Dr. Means has not forgotten the importance of simply caring. And I am so grateful for simply reading Judith Perry's GoodLetter about Women of Means and Dr. Means work today, as I search for the willpower to begin my venture to make to make a difference in my corner of the world. All any of us can do is begin where we are. There are two quotes that give me much strength, as I try to begin something this large, only one and one-half months after I have establishing stable housing. The two quotes are by Marianne Williamson (and later used by former South African President Nelson Mandela in his 1994 inaugural speech), and the second is by Goethe. "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. [...But] as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others." -- from Marianne Williamson's book Return to Love "Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness.... All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now." -- Goethe :: Celeste Wilson Denver, Colorado (Thoughts on Celeste's GoodLetter? Inspired by what you've read? E-mail us -- don't forget to tell us your name, where you're from, and if we can use your words in a future GoodLetter or on our Web site.) |
TALK ABOUT IT Celeste Wilson was inspired to write because of last week's GoodLetter. How will you continue the conversation in your own pursuits to begin something positive and constructive in the world? Do you have a GoodLetter in you? Share your stories and ideas. LEARN ABOUT IT :: Read (or re-read!) Judith Perry's GoodLetter from last week, Means To A Better End :: Denver Voice :: World Home :: Oxford House :: Marianne Williamson's Return to Love :: More quotes from Goethe DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT :: Are you a health-care professional? Consider donating some of your time to Women of Means. :: Interested in learning more about Celeste Wilson's nascent Box Foundation and how you can support her work? Send an e-mail request to us editor@goodthings.com with "Box Foundation" in the subject line and a brief message describing your interest. We'll help you get involved! Readers Respond Want to share your thoughts or ideas with other people who care about good things? Send 'em our way.
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