Lady Liberty, what a woman! She may not have the best fashion sense, but her beauty lies well within the hearts of many who have hope. To me she is an example of what acceptance should be.
Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame With conquering limbs astride from land to land; Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame, "Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore, Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
There are many interpretations of this sonnet, but just like anything else what matters most is your own interpretation. To me, this poem that graces our Eastern gateway says simply, 'come as you are'. That is hope and inspiration at it's best. Be who you are and I will accept you. You have a chance at new life and redemption should you so chose. Just take a moment to read those words and see if you see what I do.
Not only do the broken have an opportunity to be repaired, but to be made new. For every person out there that is viewed as rubbish, there is someone with a glimmer of hope and uplifting hands to bring them to their feet. How many of us have needed a person to be there for us, to give us encouragement, to give us support that is judgement free? My guess is most all of us have needed that.
How many of us are the ones casting out and deeming others as broken? How many of us are being that warming light that is open to others? Unfortunately, the later is a much smaller percentage. It's easy to pass blame, to decide that someone is unworthy. What is much more difficult is to open our arms and let someone lean on us, weep and then tell them it will be ok if they want to make it ok. This isn't to say that coddling is warranted or that they aren't responsible for their situation. It's saying if someone is committed to the work and effort that they deserve to have people to believe in them.
Improving yourself is a process that is painful, scary and at times lonely. Just as the immigrants made that frightening trek to new lands for a promise of a new and better life, we seek the promise of renewal in our own. It can be a job change, a new relationship, a child, a move or an overhaul on our viewpoint that spurns this new life. It is almost mandatory that success is determinate on someone being that guidepost, that steady and supportive person that not only provokes hope, but encourages it.
Her is my precatory ideal: That we all act more like Lady Liberty. Accept those who are brave enough to come to us just as they are. Give rise to betterment. Hold up your own light to all others that pass so that they may have that inspiration and hope for themselves.
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