I hadn’t planned on an interview last night because I have felt behind and guilty for not catching up sooner. [Oh the things I allow my brain to do to me sometimes.] Funny how, once again, I was humbled by the realization that people are put into my life at specific times because they show or tell me something that I need to hear. Of course, I would like to hope that the reverse is true – that perhaps I offer others something that they need at the time.
Truth be told, I had gone up to Amber Island to see Moto if only for a brief moment and an amazing hug.
In so doing, I had the great fortune of meeting Zukeasha, hearing her story and documenting the mythical phoenix as it rises from the flames into the beautiful serenity of a lotus. Before I dive completely into Keasha’s story, nerd that I am, I feel compelled to offer a brief note on the phoenix.
The phoenix is a sacred firebird documented in the mythologies of the Arabian, Persians, Greeks, Romans, Egyptians, Chinese, Indians and Phoenicians. Described as
a bird with a colorful plumage and a tail of gold and scarlet (or purple, blue,
and green according to some legends), the phoenix has a 500 to 1000 year
life-cycle, near the end of which it builds itself a nest of twigs that then ignites;
both nest and bird burn fiercely and are reduced to ashes, from which a new,
young phoenix or phoenix egg arises, reborn anew to live again. The new phoenix
is destined to live as long as its old self. Some stories suggest that the new
phoenix embalms the ashes of its old self in an egg made of myrrh and deposits
it in the Egyptian city of Heliopolis (literally "sun-city" in
Greek). The phoenix is said to utter a cry that is a beautiful song, and the
tears of the phoenix are also believed to have healing properties.
Lotus Flowers grow in the deep mud, far
away from the sun; however, the Lotus eventually reaches the light becoming the
most beautiful flower ever. Regarded in many cultures and eastern religious as
a symbol of purity, enlightenment, self-regeneration and rebirth, the
characteristics of the Lotus create a perfect analogy for the human condition:
even when its roots are in the dirtiest waters, the Lotus produces the most
beautiful flower.
When she was a little girl, Keasha dreamed of becoming a doctor; as an adult,
she found herself working for a corporation, like so many others, the soul of
which is driven by financial gain. Instead of having the opportunity to develop
close relationships with patients needing a gentle touch or warm reassurance,
she found herself in a sterile cubicle – the antithesis of her childhood dream.
Like
everyone else in America these last few years, Keasha felt the overwhelming
burden of our troubled economy. With a daughter to support, leaving her
corporate job was not an option despite the fact that she was miserable being
there. Like so many of us have felt at moments in our lives, she was stuck: The
weight of responsibility often outweighs the desires of personal ambition.
Faith
and Divinity conspired, and one afternoon Keasha found herself in a meeting
with one of the corporate human resources personnel. In the lingo of the
corporate machine, she was being “let go.” Instead of being plagued with
anxiety about how she would manage financially, how she would provide for her
family, she allowed that door in her life to close with a rush a relief so
clear that the individual letting her go was startled by Keasha’s calm demeanor.
On
the path to becoming a respiratory therapist, Keasha is living her adult
version of that childhood dream. Listening to her talk about school and the
direction she is headed, I couldn’t help but feed on her excitement and energy.
She said she feels like she is doing something meaningful with her life because
instead of having a career that focuses on earning more money for other people,
she will be doing something to help people in need.
Think
about this – breath – breathing is the very foundation of life. When we stop
breathing, we die. As a respiratory therapist, Keasha is moved by the thought
of helping people breathe and improving the quality of their lives.
The
tattoo of the phoenix, rising from flame into the serenity of the lotus, symbolizes
this dramatically positive change in Keasha’s life. She told me that with
everything going on, she came to the profound realization that she might not be
able to change or assert control over certain circumstances, but she can make
changes in herself and her response to whatever circumstance in which she
happens to find herself. One paramount key to this realization for Keasha has
been self-acceptance and learning to love and embrace the essence of who she is
and all she will continue to become.
On
a personal note, what inspired me most about Keasha is the role model she is
for her daughter. The three of us – Moto, Keasha and myself – went off on a
tangent about children’s television programming. During our conversation, she
and I agreed that we liked Dora the Explorer much better than the Disney
Princesses because Dora is independent. She has a map, a back-pack and a monkey
and, unlike the princesses who tend to rely on men for their rescue, Dora takes
the old proverbial bull-by-the-horns and figures it out herself. We agreed that
we much preferred Dora as a role model for our daughters for these very
reasons.
I
couldn’t help but think about what an amazing example Keasha is for her
daughter. While she was in a job that she despised, she did not quit or walk
away because she had responsibilities and commitments to fulfill and uphold.
And when the divinity of the universe conspired in her favor and closed that
corporate door, she confidently and gracefully walked through a new door, negotiating
all the twists and turns leading her to the fulfillment of a lifelong dream.
What an incredible gift to give to a child – especially one shared between
mother and daughter.
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