The Vision Pioneers Blog

by Miriam Garvi

Since childhood, we are told that so much in life starts and ends with money, leading us to believe that nothing can be accomplished unless there is a solid platform to stand on. We are taught to believe in the power of resources, but not in the power of enduring love.

Is there anything, really, preventing us from building and holding on to true, strong, tough-love relationships, but our own reticence of giving something up in the process which we have somehow been led to believe we cannot do without? All too often in life, love finds itself being challenged by the fear of letting go of what we already have, as if fulfilling happiness would be found by avoiding unpleasantries, rather than reaching out with a heart of good intentions. Yet until we are confronted with hardship or pain - be it our own or that of others - we might never come to see all the good that love can truly do. For through such sufferings we may discover the key that opens up a heart to receiving the love that others are willing to give, and to the joy of giving.

The beginning is simple; it all started with love. The desire to give and to receive love just for the sake of who we are, not for what we have or will have achieved in our lives - be it accomplishments, status or power - are the fundamentals for every individual’s completeness. The love that is willing to endure all is a source of richness that will not run dry, but keep growing in fullness and in strength, moved by the compassion of an aching heart.

And when that kind of love - pure, simple, strong, sometimes even tough - is what drives us forward, then there is no limit as to what love can do.

by Miriam Garvi

Sometimes in life, the unexpected hits us like an earthquake, leaving behind an altered landscape where everything once familiar is suddenly replaced by the unknown. A frightening process challenging the believed possible and the believed impossible, the desirable and the undesirable - baring one’s securities and insecurities in all of their nakedness. Removing the layers covering up the vulnerable - layers believed to be protecting the heart from disappointment and hurt, yet in reality keeping it from aching with the love that will express itself in true compassion.

I am getting to know a people with the courage to love even though it means suffering; who are willing to give of their hearts even though others will take advantage of their generosity; who reach out to others because of an inner craving to see others flourish, not because it is the smart thing to do. They are the fools who will gladly risk ungratefulness because they cannot suffer to turn down even the smallest opportunity to express what is in their hearts. The compassion they exhume mirrors a beauty that is like a breeze from a realm unseen.

Our economies would still be built on the blood of slaves, had it not been for a handful of People of Compassion two centuries ago who would not accept the logic of the world as it was then. Most acts of compassion never make it into the history books, yet such acts of the heart brought about by agents of love who derive contentment from seeing darkness turn to light, rather than from the applause of worshiping crowds can free a society from the shackles of abusive power and self-enrichment.

The true risk-takers of our times are neither the seemingly wise telling us how to make a good living, nor the voices of authority offering easy solutions on how to save our planet. The true risk-takers of our times remain those passionate few who see with their hearts, listen with their hearts, and act upon their heart’s desire. They are the ones paving the way for a transformation where society and life can align with the desire of the heart.

Anyone feeling the ache of compassion within is free to join them.