Happy Freedom - Free to be happy - Happy to be free

[ErmesT]

They didn’t choose to be heroes, they just wanted to live their lives.

This is the first thought that comes to my mind, and that remains fixed there all the time, when I think of the many friends I have, who we have, in this community, and whose country in this past year has often been in the front pages of all the news.

For this reason, these days at the end of the year, when the word peace is used a lot (sometimes inappropriately), I wanted to divide “peace” into its two fundamental elements: freedom and happiness.

My heroes, the ones who really just wanted to be free and happy, have many names, and I’ll mention just a few here. My heroes are called Anna, Amir, Zhanna, Natalia, Alexandre, Valentyne, Pavel, Alisa, Oleg, Serge.

Some of them will spend this period (which for many is a holiday) in a country other than theirs that welcomed them. Others, while we think about what to prepare for New Year’s dinner, will be hoping to have food for tonight, and a (perhaps warm) place to sleep.

Freedom and happiness are two of the most important human rights, hence the title of my post.

Freedom and happiness that are often denied. Some have only the freedom to escape, and often die, trying to reach a country where they can be free, and finally happy.

All this is very valuable and very important, you might say, but what does it have to do with the world of Local Guides? We take photos and write reviews, how can we help?

There are voluntary associations and food banks that do this, and that make sure that those less fortunate than us can at least have a hot meal, and the smile of a friend.

But there are also many businesses that are often unknown, and who have created a point near the exit of their shop to collect food, and sometimes clothes.

Why don’t we commit ourselves, with our photos and reviews, to give value to what these businesses do for this end of the year? They are just the collectors of many people’s contributions, but the simple fact that they do I think should be recognized, because through them many can be helped.

10 months ago I wanted to talk with you about Friendship without borders, today I think we need to move one step forward.

That’s why I want to wish you a warm Happy freedom - Free to be happy - Happy to be free

Hugs from Italy
Ermes

[P_LAVARDA]

Grazie @ErmesT sei molto di più di una Guida Locale, sei una “GUIDA” . Stai interpretando questo ruolo con responsabilità ma con leggerezza di cuore assieme alla tua dolce metà @AntonellaGr . Il vostro agire va molto oltre all’ essere delle Guiding Stars, vi stimo e vi ammiro, per il vostro apporto a questa società e alla felicità delle persone che vi conoscono. Che la felicità del Natale e del nuovo Anno sia sempre presente nella vostra casa!

Paolo e Mariacristina @mariacristinafossa

[CAAG1959]

Hola @ErmesT que exquisita y su vez aleccionadora publicación. Como dice @plavarda eres un Guía motivador por excelencia. Tus posteos nos obligan a reflexionar sobre lo poco solidarios, no todos, que somos. Me encantó el juego de palabras entre libertad y felicidad y que difícil para muchísima gente poder amalgamarlas. Que razón tienes, cuantos techos, lugares cálidos o frescos y un plato de comida serían lo máximo para millones de personas, mientras los desagradecidos de siempre, me incluyo, no valoramos lo mucho que tenemos.

Una muy Feliz Navidad para ti, tu esposa y todos los que puedan leer esta respuesta.

Gracias nuevamente porque a través de tu publicación, nos obligas a ver un poco más allá de nuestras narices.

Un abrazo fraterno desde Uruguay

[Gezendunyali]

great article @ErmesT . I think I am one of the people who feel this the most as a country location. There were a lot of visitors from Ukraine to Turkey this year. It is very sad to see the difficulties they are going through. Especially in terms of language. Even though many institutions try to help, it is very difficult to be organized in another country. Therefore, it is an important task for us local guides to reveal these points in particular. We hope there will be peace everywhere and people will share their happy moments on the maps.

[ErmesT]

Grazie @plavarda e @mariacristinafossa

Lo sapevo che spirito liberi come siete voi avrebbero apprezzato questo post.

I nostri migliori auguri a voi, con tanta felicità.

Un abbraccio

Ermes

[ErmesT]

Hola Carlos, @CAAG1959 , un abrazo grande desde Italia.

La Navidad, lo que muchos países celebran, es finalmente la historia de dos migrantes, que tuvieron un hijo en un pesebre en un país extranjero, entre los pobres, y creo que siempre debemos recordar esto. La Navidad no es una celebración de regalos. es la celebración de la integración entre los pueblos, de la búsqueda de la libertad, del deseo de ser felices.

Por eso, en estos días de celebración, creo que es justo recordarnos también a esos amigos, a las personas que conozco una a una, y que están pasando por momentos difíciles, y enviarles un poco de calor.
Aunque parezca poco, es lo más importante: no te olvides de ellos, no hagas que lo que está pasando se vuelva “normal”.
Te deseo mucha libertad y felicidad, para que tú también puedas repartirla entre los demás.

Un abrazo

[DENIT33]

Grazie @ErmesT per questo post che stimola lo sguardo verso chi è attivo verso gli altri, chi senza onori continua ad aiutare le popolazioni in difficoltà. Ci sono molte associazioni che raccolgono cibo, vestiti, denaro per 12 mesi all’anno, senza sosta. Apprezzo molto il tuo augurio di libertà e felicità, tutti ne hanno diritto e aggiungerei anche salute.

Thank you @ErmesT for this post that stimulates the gaze towards those who are active towards others, those who without honors continue to help populations in difficulty. There are many associations that collect food, clothes and money for 12 months of the year, without stopping. I really appreciate your wish for freedom and happiness, everyone has the right to it and I would add health too.

[ErmesT]

Thank you so much, @Gezendunyali

When we decided to open the doors of our house to our Ukrainian friends we didn’t thought about language barriers, or any other kind of difficulties.

One of them accepted my invitation, and came to my country. I want to add that in 90 minutes from now they will be with us for dinner.

Happy freedom to you and your family, Burak.

[Gezendunyali]

what a beautiful act. @ErmesT The world is actually a house where we all share. We hope everyone will understand this feeling better and there will be peace everywhere. Happy christmas to you and your family, good hearted man

[CAAG1959]

Completamente de acuerdo contigo @ErmesT , tal cual lo mencionas, el momento de intercambio de regalos está bueno, pero sin olvidarnos que en cada rincón del mundo hay personas que la están pasando mal, muy mal y aunque nuestro aporte sea el pensamiento enfocado en cada de ellos y si todos hiciésemos lo mismo, tan siquiera dedicar un minuto de nuestro tiempo para irradiarles buena energía, buenas vibraciones, estaríamos ayudando mucho más de lo creemos.

Una muy Feliz Navidad para ti y los tuyos.

Una mejor y feliz Navidad para todos los que la necesitan.

Un gran abrazo desde Uruguay

PD: JAMÁS lo que está sucediendo en el Mundo, en cualquiera de sus circunstancias o razones, será normal.

Lo normal, aunque utópico, sería como tú dices “libertad y felicidad” o “felicidad y libertad”.

[CAAG1959]

Impresionante @ErmesT tu actitud hacia el prójimo. Digno de una persona altruista por excelencia.

Saludos desde Uruguay

[ErmesT]

Tanti auguri anche a te e Francesco, @DENIT33 . Vi auguriamo tanta felicità

[DENIT33]

@ErmesT Grazie di cuore e ricambio con l’augurio di tanta felicità a voi, alla vostra comunità e al mondo.

[Amiran]

Thanks a lot, my dear @ErmesT

Your post made me cry. You know your notes are always valuable to me but this time your kindly support and thinking to us, is very very impressive.

You know we’re experiencing such a hard situation during the past months but what you mentioned truly, reaching to the freedom and real happiness at the end, make us strong.

Although I’m not able to be online like in the past, indeed my heart is always with Connect and Maps, so I try to keep my track and beside contributing by my past materials, I check Connect occasionally to get rest of mind and this time, it was so effective. You remind the spirit of connecting to each other to have a better world. We’re so proud to have you.

We struggle
We fight
And soon
One day we reach to the freedom
And we’ll get the world’s hands
And together,
We’ll sing the song of the peace and happiness

[ErmesT]

Dear @Amiran , thank you for writing here, and for letting us know that you are safe, and sorry for being so late in responding.

I think one of the biggest fears when these things happen is that the rest of the world will ignore us. This is not the case, and I wanted to let you know, even though sometimes the governments of other countries cannot intervene in the way we would like. This is why in my post I wanted to talk about Freedom, because there can’t be true peace if there isn’t people’s freedom first. Unfortunately it is not in my power to do more than what I do, but what I can do I always do. Giving a voice to those who cannot be heard is a choice out of respect for others, and in many countries of the world at the moment many people are voiceless. I hope this little post of mine can help people think and put our values in the right order. Freedom, in my scale of values, is always in first place.

Hugs from Italy

[CAAG1959]

Fuerza hermano @Amiran que tu lucha y la de muchos, logre sus metas en corto plazo. Que no decaíga ese espíritu, lo bueno siempre llega

Abrazo fraterno desde Uruguay

[CAAG1959]

De seguro @ErmesT que tus palabras cala hondo y nos llevan a reflexionar y mucho. Con muchos Ermes y sus espíritus altruistas y cuidadores y sumandonos a sus causas podríamos hacer que muchos sueños se transformaran en realidad.

Gracias por compartirlas.

Saludos desde Uruguay

[Amiran]

Thanks a lot dear @ErmesT

You always do your bests. And I wanna you know it is so valuable to us. You’re meaning the spirit of the Local Guides program.

Hugs from Iran

[Amiran]

You’re right dear @CAAG1959

We are strong and despite many challenges and dangers, we only think to reach our goal which is the freedom and a normal life.

In this way, the support of the world and especially good friends like you, makes us even stronger and it is so effective to boost our morale.

Hugs from Iran

[NahidHossain]

Article about the power of freedom and being able to express yourself in whatever way you choose. I think it is so important to remember that we all have the right to be happy and free, no matter our circumstance. We should all be free to be our true selves and to have the freedom to express ourselves in whatever way we choose. @ErmesT Thankyou for writing this wonderful article!