This past July, my partner Richard and I traveled to Amsterdam to attend the 22nd International AIDS Conference. Over 16,000 people attended this world gathering. Imagine the electricity and vibrancy of people from all corners of the world coming together to end the scourge of AIDS. The message from the conference was clear: Although advances have been made, AIDS continues to ravage the world, hitting hardest in vulnerable communities, countries and continental regions. And unfortunately, as I learned at the conference, there is a concerted and coordinated effort in different parts of the world to stop and dismantle the gains that have been made:
In the midst of all this disheartening news, however, people shared stories of resilience despite all odds and highlighted innovative efforts to end AIDS. Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, and Elton John announced they were joining forces to launch the MenStar coalition, a one billion dollar initiative aimed at targeting and preventing HIV infection in men, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Actress Charlize Theron spoke about her work with the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project, South Africa, and highlighted the impact of AIDS on women and girls: “Most of us now know and understand that HIV is not just about sex or sexuality…We know it is linked to the second-class status of women and girls worldwide.” (source: https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times/lifestyle/health-and-sex/2018-07-24-hiv-is-linked-to-the-second-class-status-of-women-charlize-theron/) Former U.S. President Bill Clinton spoke about the need to address both HIV and tuberculosis, which is the number one killer of people with HIV, particularly in India (which has the highest TB burden). Omar Sharif, Jr., the grandson of the famous actor Omar Sharif, spoke about being widely condemned after he came out as gay in his home country of Egypt. “At the height of the Arab Spring, I became the first Arabic public figure to come out openly as gay and question the Egyptian government’s commitment to basic human rights and equality,” Sharif shared. “My announcement immediately went viral and I was met with widespread criticism, threats of violence, and death threats. I think a lot of people in this room know exactly how that feels. I left the country and I have not been home since. In my region of the world — the Middle East and north Africa — talking about LGBTQ issues, and certainly talking about HIV are incredibly risky. Just starting a conversation takes courage.” (source: https://www.hivplusmag.com/activism/2018/7/26/omar-sharif-calls-out-trump-aids2018) As all these celebrities and noted luminaries spoke, I thought about how each one of them is using their status and their platform to bring greater attention and resources to this issue. And I realized, they’re not the only ones who have a platform. These days, every person has a platform, including you. Especially in this time of social media that connects us all, every person has the ability to reach and connect with others. Whether you have 100 friends on Facebook or 10,000 followers on Twitter, or whether you belong to a spiritual community of 200 people or have an extended family of 50 people, you already have a platform. You have the ability to reach people, with your own message if you so choose, right where you are. And so here I am asking you today: How are you using your platform? Are you taking a stand for what you believe in? At the conference, I ran into my friend Brian Pearls who I haven’t seen for a few years. Brian is using his platform to do amazing work as an LGBQ activist in Kenya. This week, my partner Richard is in Orlando, Florida, for the United States Conference on AIDS. He’s one of the main speakers for the opening plenary session, along with David Hogg, activist and survivor of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas School shooting in Parkland, Florida, and Alicia Garza, co-founder of #BlackLivesMatter. Each one of them is using their platforms in their own work, and this week they’re joining their platforms to connect the intersections between movements for social justice and the HIV community. And you don’t only have to have political or social causes be your platform. As my sister Marie de Luna posts photos and videos of food, travel and fun on her Facebook feed, she is using her platform to take a stand for the deliciousness and beauty of life itself, that is always available to each one of us. So, for your coaching assignment this week, take stock of your life to answer these questions:
At the heart of today’s teaching is a spiritual truth embodied in this quote by David Viscott (although some have said it was coined by William Shakespeare or Pablo Picasso, but regardless it’s still a great quote): The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.
In other words, the world needs more of you. How can you give more of you today? Abundant Blessings and Namaste. I'd love to hear your thoughts about today’s post, and hear your thoughts about how you're sharing your gifts and your message with the world. Please leave a comment below. Also, if you’re feeling the need for guidance or support for a particular area of life, I offer a complimentary life coaching consultation where we can chat. You can learn more about these life coaching consultations by clicking here. Finally, if you're interested in receiving these weekly inspiring articles, feel free to sign up by clicking here. |
About JoselitoJoselito is a spiritual life coach helping people create a purposeful, spiritual path to career and financial freedom. Sign me up to receive the free newsletterPopular Blog Articles Beware (Be Aware of) these 5 Unhelpful Money Stories How my body told me to quit my job How I was offered an all-expenses paid cruise after making my Vision Board Today I choose to live my GREATNESS You are not your stories. You are the story-teller. Your job is not your Source. |