Haiti.

Most of us were blessedly untouched by the earthquake, at least physically. In every real way, our lives continue on as usual. But in the days and weeks following this disaster, we’ve all been shaken by the images and stories and heartache that have traveled back to us. We sat in horror trying to take in the magnitude of the damage, we cried for the loss, we texted the Red Cross with our donations. At some point during it all we felt totally, utterly and completely helpless.

In the face of such devastation, we are reminded of just how small we are. We feel inadequate to the task at hand. How could we possibly make any sort of real difference when the reality of today is unfathomable, and the road ahead holds challenges beyond our comprehension? What small gifts could we offer that would make any real difference?

We forget in those moments, that real difference is made moment by moment, dollar by dollar, person by person. We don’t need a zillion dollars in the bank account. It’s okay that we can’t hop down there to rebuild the country brick by brick. All we need is our hearts, and our talents, and people with vision to bring it all together.

To Haiti with Love is an online auction of art, photography, papercrafts, clothing, and creative goods. All proceeds will go direct to the St. Joseph’s Family of homes for children in Haiti. This weeklong fundraising event is curated and managed by visual artist René Joshi Sims of fruityfantastica and author Kate Inglis of sweet | salty.

Go and see what magic these two have pulled together; beautiful artwork, and books and gifts from profoundly talented individuals. Remember to look beyond the items themselves, and know that every single one of those postings is really just about love, about heart, and about a belief that we all have it within us to make a difference. The magic of what Kate and Rene have really created is the way they have nurtured this reality for all of us. Our contributions matter. Our offerings change the world.

My donation, ‘being exquisite’ -an 11×14 print from my series of desert images – is both small and humbly offered. It, on its own, won’t bring in a million dollars, rebuild a school, or change the course of Haiti’s future. But I am mistaken if I believe it is inadequate or meaningless.

All things done in the spirit of hope are bursting with meaning and potential.

{So go, peruse the offerings and bid on something that catches your fancy. Change the world today, the way only you can.}

The window looks out over a thicket of woods, right where the yard drops off steeply into an impenetrable tangle of trees and brush.  If you lie in this room and you close your eyes, it is the crashing of waves, and the croaking of frogs and the rustling of leaves that lull you to sleep.  This bed, ancient iron with flecked paint and sagging mattress, cradled me the night my truth began to travel home to me.  There is peace living in the walls of this space.  Peace and simplicity, whispering a reminder of how much I have, and how little I need.

The desert, she is a difficult mistress.  We’ve had ten years to build a relationship, she and I, and it’s a tenuous bond at best.  You see, my soul belongs to the ocean, to the pounding surf and salt air, and so I’m always a little out of place amongst cactus and tumbleweed.  But yet, there are certain moments where she captivates me, where her beauty intrigues and inspires, where I see myself in her.  Because, you see, there are days when finding flowers in the desert reminds you that beauty is not always soft, and that it does not preclude strength, and that you can adapt and thrive and be exquisite in places where such things cannot be taken for granted.