Getting recognition for the work of our non-profit, GreenRoom Exchange, left us both surprised and full of gratitude. We had an array of reactions, from wow, did this really happen, to wow, we did it, to wow we have many people to recognize in gratitude. I realized recognition and gratitude go hand in hand, one begetting the other.
For years we’ve been showcasing international artists in our community, an outgrowth of our travels. It started as an appreciation that everywhere we go, no matter how remote or impoverished the place, we are more alike than different, and the beauty of other cultures can be expressed through the international language of music and art.
Here ‘re some thoughts about this:
RECOGNITION STARTS WITH NOTICING
Lee and I decided we wanted to travel the world but see it through the eyes of those that live there. This brought a humbleness to our awareness as we experienced firsthand how people live in Cuba, Ghana, and Senegal. Their circumstances and lifestyle are much different, often lacking the conveniences we take for granted, yet their hearts are big.
RECOGNITION INCLUDES LEARNING FROM OTHERS
We’ve been moved by the kindness and spiritual depth that many of our hosts have shown. Our culture is full of false assumptions about others that show our lack of knowledge. Indigenous beliefs of the Ewe Ghanaians are loving, powerful and complex, the Muslin faith is full of generosity and kindness. Our eyes were opened.
GRATITUDE STARTS WITH BEING APPRECIATIVE
We have been greatly appreciative of the kindness we have been shown everywhere we’ve gone. To reciprocate, we have invited them to our home, to our community and given them a platform to perform. We now have lasting friendships that are deep and meaningful.
GRATITUDE IS A FORM OF RECOGNITION
As we express gratitude to our international friends, we realize it is a form of recognition of another’s skills, talents and beauty. We’re giving grants to international artists in our community, recognizing people from Democratic Republic of Congo, India, Iran. Brazil and Tanzania. It’s becoming an interactive loop of appreciation that’s continually reinforced. We feel blessed by it all.
