A Journey of Gratitude and Rediscovery: Embracing Humanity Beyond Borders

A Journey of Gratitude and Rediscovery: Embracing Humanity Beyond Borders

Living in sunny California has been like winning the lottery of life, and I’m incredibly grateful to call America my home. But let me tell you, my journey here wasn’t exactly a walk in the park—more like a marathon with obstacles! After 14 years of sweating blood, tears, and a lot of cash, I can finally say I’ve assimilated into life here. But oh boy, it hasn’t been without its challenges! Despite all that, I genuinely appreciate the opportunities the USA has given me.

Let’s get one thing straight: no matter how much I’ve integrated, I’ll never forget my roots. Being born in England is like having a secret superpower! I get to enjoy the best of both worlds—living in the USA while spending quality time in the UK to care for my dear mum, who has dementia. This keeps me connected to my birthplace, even if I sometimes miss my fish and chips.

Recently, something eye-opening happened. My mum’s carers, all immigrants, work tirelessly, dreaming of earning their visa status. I know how gruelling that process can be. Many of them struggle with English, and I realized how much harder it must be for them. Even though English is my first language, I felt like a fish out of water when I first arrived in the USA—so I can only imagine their challenges!

I love chatting with people and hearing their stories. One day, a carer shared her frustration about how her moped insurance jumps by £160 every time she moves, even if it’s just down the street! As a carer, she moves often based on her company’s needs, and those constant insurance hikes drove her up the wall. I mean, come on! I get that higher crime rates might warrant a price increase, but £160 for moving just five streets down? That’s highway robbery!

Because of the language barrier, she couldn’t explain her situation to the insurance company. So, being the superhero I am (cape not included), I offered to help her. After some convincing, she agreed to let me speak on her behalf.

I may not speak the Queen’s English (I’ve got a London accent that could wake the neighbours), but I managed to resolve the issue. I told the insurance company we’d cancel the policy and look elsewhere if they didn’t fix those ridiculous charges. Lo and behold, they apologized for a previous mistake and adjusted the rate, even offering a refund for the incorrect charges. I could’ve probably found her a better policy, but at least we got it sorted!

This whole experience has been on my mind lately because of everything happening in the USA—talk about a hot mess! The discussions around colour, social barriers, hatred, and deportation have really bummed me out. Seriously, what happened to humanity? You can vote for whoever you want, but the nasty behaviour that comes with it breaks my heart. People are judged based on their colour, social status, and a whole bunch of other nonsense.

But here’s the good news: kindness costs nothing! You won’t go broke from being friendly, nor will it stop you from putting food on the table. You just have to roll up your sleeves and work hard, like every other human being. And in the process, don’t lose sight of the fundamental gifts we are blessed with—kindness and empathy.

Helping that carer reminded me of something important. Too often, people focus on whether someone speaks the language, fits into the culture, or what they look like. But at the end of the day, we’re all human and deserve help—no matter where we come from. That carer didn’t need a lecture on improving her English. She needed assistance, and I was in a position to offer it.

In the USA, everything revolves around whether someone is an immigrant, what their race is, or if they fit certain societal expectations. Living in Orange County, I’ve noticed that people may not want to engage with you if you don’t have something to offer. But this experience reminded me that it’s not about what someone can give but how we can help each other as humans.

I feel blessed to have had this opportunity to reconnect with what truly matters. Loving your neighbour and helping them, regardless of their race, gender, or status, is what counts. Thank you, Lord, for returning me to what’s essential in life.

These are simply my personal reflections.

How Can I Help More?

Any tips for spreading kindness? Let’s hear your thoughts!