Beads of Hope 

There are as many life stories around the globe as there are people to experience them.  There are lives of spectacular wealth, there are those of abject poverty, and then there is the entire spectrum in between.  And all of these lives come filled with the entire spectrum from complete happiness to overwhelming despair, at any given time.  Often, the most inspiring of lives are those with stories of perseverance against the overwhelming odds.  Lives that shine with hope.

Many of you are already aware of the Beads for Life operation in Uganda, but for those of you who have not yet heard about this, it involves using a local method of ornamentation, paper based beads, and selling them in an organized method to help combat poverty in the region.  For those of you unfamiliar, take a moment to read the webpage:  http://www.beadforlife.org/. 

Once again, I became aware of this program via a news clip, and was entranced by the faces of the women involved in making these beads, and their overt joy that came from experiencing even the smallest amount of stability and control in their lives.  One woman commented that she could not remember smiling for years, having fled her home, having to constantly worry about food, shelter and safety for her children.  Now, by earning money through making beads for this program, she has again learned what it is like to smile, to be happy, to have hope for the future.

Although I have only anecdotal references from the news clip and web sources to the actual success of this program, it appears to provide a turning point for the women and their families.  Although I have not yet ordered beads, I will be doing so.  (Interestingly, I believe my mother was given a necklace of this type of African paper bead, but I don’t know its provenance.  But it is lovely!) 

The other exposure this story provides is once again the relativity of life experiences.  These women consider themselves wealthy simply by having funds that allow their survival.  They are thrilled at that prospect.  They are joyous to be able to purchase food and clothes for their children.   While at the same time, I become mulish at an increase in price at Starbucks.  A difficult perspective to ponder for overly long.

And so wondrous paper beads becomes a Flash of Light.  Watch for them everywhere….

As a totally, completely, off-the-wall, deviation from the subject above….I caught a show on tv last night titled “Creature Comforts” – featuring an anthology of  animated animals (love the alliteration there) being interviewed about… Body image.  Flying.  Other completely mundane topics.   The responses were droll and hilarious.  Body language and facial expressions played a large part.  I have no idea if this was a one-time-shot or a recurring summer-fill-in show, but fervently hope that more episodes will be aired.  I was howling with laughter.  It was an unexpected Flash of Light.  Catch it if you can.