I am not a Christian, yet Christ taught me compassion for humanity.

I am not Catholic, but confessional writing lifts weight from my back.

I am not Mexican, still the Day of the Dead taught me how to grieve and keep my loved ones alive.

I am not a yogi, yet yoga facilitates my body, mind, and lungs.

I am not Native, but learning about their ways taught me from a young age to care for the planet as a home.

I am not a Buddhist, still meditation helps me stay in the now.

I am not in love with everyone, but the things I love about them does help me stay in the now.

I am not African, yet waist beads help me feel hugged by a community I made especially when I need to stay present in the now as their tension is the reminder that breathing deep is a need.

I am not an animal, still they taught me how to non-verbally communicate.

I was not disabled from birth yet those that are have taught me that life doesn’t stop when the body fails us: adaptation the human gift.

My skin may be white, but my heart is a rainbow of gifts granted to me by the many that inhibit our earth. Each of these things sustain my life force and without them I was drowning. We are only as good as our tools and community: so thank you to each who taught/is teaching each. There’s much left to learn in life. More cultures to share their truths of survival. Maybe even those to meet like me. Only time will see.