In my life, there have been three places that felt like home to me. They hold a special place in my heart. They arouse both conflict and peace within me with equal tenacious tenderness. I find myself in a perpetual tug of war between my origins and my destiny, between choosing which of these places I belong to. Which of these places do I call home, the ultimate “Home”?
Haiti is my place of birth, it is Who I Am. Much like myself, despite its conflicts on its surface, there is a deep serene, rich and spiritual beauty underneath. A powerhouse that has and continues to inspire leaders, pioneers and world changers. While people may be distracted by what is going on there externally… silently, at its core, its numerous roots run rampantly deep and resilient. It is the birthchild of Mother, the indigenous, the colored, the original freedom fighters, the original #BlackLivesMatter, the original #AllLivesMatter, the original #TimesUp… the birthplace of Toussaint Louverture. Its spirit, revelation, and manifestation, for ALL humanity, will rise to shock the world again.
While people may be distracted by what is going on there externally… silently, at its core, its numerous roots run rampantly deep and resilient.
New York is my place of discovery, it is Where I Found Myself. A place of pure energy and contrast, it is a universal society, where anyone willing can belong, fit in and just be. It is a city that asks everyone upfront “Who are you?”, and tenaciously persists on getting an answer by all means necessary. No one is the same —New York knows it— and this city, when you are able to listen to it quietly, allows you to get that about yourself, accept it and own up to it. It offers a blessing of a lifetime: a celebration of your uniqueness that stays with you, wherever your final destination may be.
It is the birthchild of Mother, the indigenous, the colored, the original freedom fighters, the original #BlackLiveMatters, the original #AllLivesMatter, the original #TimesUp… the birthplace of Toussaint Louverture.
Spain is my destiny, it is Where I Come From. My déjà vu, it is the recollection of my past and future. I remember the first time I visited the country. I had the overwhelming feeling that I had been there before, that I had lived here before. I knew what was to come at every corner of every street long before it appeared, as though I was pulling it from memory. Then, I visited the island of Mallorca! I breathed out a long sigh of relief, of familiar comfort, like being home. I felt I lived there many centuries ago, in another age, in another life… while at the same time, feeling like it was waiting for me, waiting for my return, for when I would be ready to come back home.
At some point in my life, I have returned to all of these places a second time. Haiti to return to my family, my people, my spirit, my center. Mallorca, Spain to return to love, hope and plans for the future. New York to return to my dream, my mission and to follow my bliss. All these journeys back have essentially taught me the same lessons that have helped propel me forward. All these places are part of me; to deny one, is to deny Who, What and Where I am. To deny them, is to deny the biggest lesson they have all taught me, that the ultimate “Home” I had been searching for is: ME. My ultimate “Home” is everywhere and nowhere, but always within.
Home is ME. It is always with me.
Comments