imagine: a world of peace and love.

music, people, love, peace.

back in 2008 when Usher’s Here I Stand album was released, i fell in love with a bonus track: “will work for love.”

it was at about that point in time that i realized my passion was peace, and i wanted to work for justice with, on behalf of, and beside those on the margins of society.

the chorus of the song reads:

Day after day, people walk by, I can’t catch their eyes
I pull out my sign,
It says, “Will work for love”
I will, I will, I will,
I’ll work for love, overtime
Babe, it says, “Will work for love”
I will, I will, I will,
I’ll work for love, for all my life
I will work for love

the way i interpret the song, it’s saying that i will not work in exchange for money, rather love; it’s as if love is a currency. therefore, this song began to be a mantra of mine—which is difficult, given the way our society is built upon the foundation of the almighty dollar.

nevertheless, i had this dream, this wish, that i would simply work for love.

[fast-forward to august 2011]

i’m currently serving as a jesuit volunteer in detroit, mi at freedom house, a shelter for political refugees. i make a mere $190 a month ($100 for personal use, and $90 for community/food use.) while i have housing, insurance and the like, based on my income i’m living in poverty.

my “ah-ha” moment came yesterday.

some of you may recall that my ipod reset/restored itself the other afternoon, and i lost all my music. after emailing apple/itunes, they allowed me to re-download all the music i’ve purchased on itunes since 2007, minus anything that has changed in price or title. consequently, one of the few songs i have on my ipod now is “will work for love,” and it’s in an old playlist that i haven’t listened to in ages (it’s all synced to my laptop).

so yesterday morning, i was home alone getting ready for work, listening to said playlist, and “will work for love” came on.

as i listened to the lyrics, i was drawn back to the moment in time when i first heard this song, and said to myself that all i wanted was to live my life that way, i realized that i had gotten my wish. granted at this point in time, all i know is that my wish is my reality for the next year, but i have gotten my wish.

i am working for love.

the love i receive from my brothers and sisters at freedom house is paralleled by no other. while i’m poor in the traditional currency, dollar bills, i am the richest man in the world when it comes to love. and for that i am most grateful.

too much to ask?

the highlight of my day: hearing from one of my brothers at work today about the importance of love in our world, and in one’s life, and how he loves me. he spoke of its power to make everything better, and make problems and worries seem so small, and almost nonexistent, when you have love, give love, and feel love.

knowing what he’s up against, my heart was broken open. it was so beautiful, and i love him.

the twelve-hours I worked today was so worth it. celebrating the end of Ramadan with my Muslim brothers and sisters was incredible; it was so full of love.

i feel honored and blessed to have been a part of it. perhaps what was also so moving and inspiring was that there were only about 7 Islamic individuals among the crowd of 40+ people (mostly of whom were Christian), and we all shared in the experience; we supported one another, ate together, prayed together and loved one another.

it was truly one of the most beautiful things i’ve experienced.

[Eid Mubarak!]

jealousy, fear and feelings of inadequacy are the downfall of the human spirit. we must learn to cultivate love and self-acceptance in all aspects of our lives, or we will perish.

[and so, i’ve got some work to do.]

please.