“I can let my life pass me by or I can get down and try. Work it on out this lifetime. Work it on out this time.” – Maxwell Lyrics from the song “Lifetime”
How often have you turned on the television and listened to the news or sat down and read the newspaper and thought there is so much tragety in the world. We get inundated with the hardships of life that can steal our hope. I would have conversations with people and say did you hear about what happened yesterday and they would say to me no I do not watch the news or read the paper because it is only filled with bad news. It can be hard when you only hear about the dark side of life. In my post last week, I wrote about the violence that plagues our inner cities across this county. It has been something that has been in my heart since I was 21 years old. Last Sunday my cousin Craig would have turned 57 years old but back in 1985 he was killed at age 19 and robbed on the opportunity to turn his life around. I often wonder what would have become of his life if he were here today.
I have come to learn that we are not guaranteed tomorrow so it is the choices that we make today that become important. Today I want to celebrate the amazing things that I have seen in our community since I have taken on the role of Diversity Officer. We change the world by changing the community one person at a time.
Back in June of 2023 I attended the Blackshires first leadership cohort graduation. I had a sense of pride when I saw the amazing things Black people in our community were doing to uplift others in their community. This group came from all walks of life with a vision to give others the opportunity to succeed. When we can provide people with hope and a vision to create something great, that is how we can change the world.
Working at Berkshire Health Systems I get to meet all kinds of people. My favorite thing is to see the nursing students sitting in the cafeteria preparing for the day. Some of these students can now live out their dreams of becoming a nurse because of the amazing pipeline programs Berkshire Health offers. The many pipeline programs have provided people with the hope and the ability to live a life where they can work and care for themselves and their families. We uplift their dignity by letting them know they have a place, and they truly matter.
I recently met with the team from ServiceNet. They run the emergency shelter in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. What they experience every day can wear you down and cause you to lose hope but not this team. They know that they are the next step in helping someone find a home. They all come from different backgrounds and experiences, and they use those experiences to help others. When I left the meeting, I spoke to one of the case managers who had a smile from ear to ear. She was smiling because she was able to help someone find a home. Having a place to call home, what a gift to give someone. It can lead to hope for the future.
My sister-in-law Kelly is a biology teacher at a local high school. Since I am way too old to be in high school, I did not have the opportunity to take her class. I know her so I know she is a great teacher. This was supported by my friend and colleague Jake. His children had Kelly as a teacher, and they talk about the positive experience they had in her class. You know when you have made an impact when former students talk about you long after graduation. After parents our teachers have the greatest impact on our children. I am so proud to know that Kelly is like all those amazing teachers I remember. Thank you for giving our young people hope for the future. One more thing about Kelly. I would not challenge her to a push-up contest she may be small, but she is mighty.
Don’t let this life pass you by, there is still hope in this world.
Charles Redd RN
Dignity Freedom Fighter
Dignity Freedom Fighter 