In an effort to catch up, this blog will consist of video updates.
Buying supplies:
I was contacted by Stephen via Facebook. It was an honor to be interviewed for his series! Thank you Stephen - and all who help and support the people of Ukraine. 🇺🇦🙏
The video…
As always, your support is appreciated for the two foundations I have been volunteering with that help house Ukrainian people and make deliveries of needed supplies to Ukraine (links below, they both accept PayPal).
Thank you!
Love,
T
I am in Kraków, Poland. Yesterday I was in Ukraine.
Can that be the whole blog?
I need to prepare some more posts and there are not enough hours in the day. I want to tell you everything, but for that I may have to write a book.
I don’t know where to start. Maybe most importantly is that when you put your mind to something, you can do anything. So follow your passions and don’t let anything stand in your way. I knew I had to come here. I found a way. Keep going. Don’t ever give up. You will get where you need to go.
My journey here started with one phone call. Soon I was on a plane and volunteering at a foundation house that helps and shelters refugees. They delivered two vans filled with supplies to four locations inside Ukraine yesterday. It was an honor to be a part of that crew.
There are some truly amazing people working there!
This is the video I’m including because we turned on the radio while waiting at the border crossing back into Poland - this song was playing.
With Love,
T
If only we could hit pause... but time keeps marching on relentlessly.
Being on the Soul Train Cruise this past week was like being suspended from all the harsh realities of the world for a bit. The scenery and weather were beautiful! People were kind and wonderful. The music was outstanding and there was pure positivity in the air. It was a miracle - a true joy to escape and recharge with laughter and camaraderie. It felt like a family reunion in the best of times.
If only we could linger in those lovely spaces forever. That would be heaven.
Returning back to life was a cruel shock to the system. Now there is so much work to do. Let's just get to it, pacing ourselves. I believe prayers and action are in order - in large supply.
Click here for the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America - UCCA.org
With Love,
T
I need to focus on the songs for our shows this week on The Soul Train Cruise!
I think I'm on hour 20 without sleep. I can't help thinking that it is NOTHING compared to what life is like for people in a war zone right now. I'm keenly aware that while we are dancing, smiling and singing this week, others are living in conditions of pure hell and horror.
I will focus and sing and share all the beautiful and joyous moments, while learning, planning and finding more ways to help.
I've seen the way music can melt hearts and minds countless times. I know the power of song and Love. A lifted Spirit can move mountains. We can create miracles by actions. NEVER (not a word I use lightly) underestimate your power to change the world.
Click here for my previous post "Help Ukraine."
That previous post has links for ways to help and there are many more ways to help too!
Let's go!
Love,
T
I'm just saying... everyone is stressed. EVERYONE.
Click here for "Depression: Supporting a family member or friend" from The Mayo Clinic
Please click on the above link and take a moment to read about warning signs and what to do.
With love,
T
I did a thing this morning. I decided to celebrate every little thing I saw and thought of.
With absolute horror playing out in the world at this moment, it seems insensitive to post anything happy. Positivity helps though. People are depressed. Last night, I learned of an online friend who took their own life.
It's also understanding how seeing nothing but happy smiling faces can precipitate sadness when it seems like you're the only one who is NOT happy. Many of us have come to know that social media can set a false standard and add to a sense of isolation. On occasion, I've posted examples of life's trials and imperfections.
Just now, tears well up in my eyes as the little refugee boy walking alone cries. We are living in terrifying times. Below is a link from The Mayo Clinic with advice on how to identify and support friends and family who may be depressed.
Click here for The Mayo Clinic's "Depression: Supporting a family member or friend" Page
As for me, I'll search for smiles and positivity. I'll post and share. I'll do it to strengthen myself as well as others. My sincere wish for us all is that we can strengthen ourselves enough to participate in the battles to come with strength and perseverance. Any way you look at it, there is a long road ahead. I hope we can find ways to secure our own oxygen masks, and be able to assist others with theirs - so to speak.
Love you all.
I'm down for stretching as far as I can without breaking. Don't break. Keep going.
xo,
T
