This article was written by Simone Talma Flowers, iACT Executive Director

Take a deep breath in. Breathe out. Take another deep breath in and breathe out. One more time, take a deep breath in and breathe out. This breath centers us and connects us to this world. This is the breath that allows us to live. This is the breath of life.

Interfaith Action of Central Texas (iACT) recently held its Interfaith Day of Thanks Service at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, where over 400 people attended. There were people of diverse faiths, cultures, and world views, gathered together to give thanks. As I reflect, I’m reminded that it takes so many people to make such an event come together. One of the core messages for the service was everything is connected. It was a true manifestation of what iACT does- gathering people of diverse backgrounds and traditions who all feel connected, to join together and celebrate those connections.

The service was a celebration of life, to celebrate the blessings we have received and the abundance of love that is all around us. Over the past few years, we have experienced such tremendous loss, of loved ones, of freedom of movement, livelihoods, lifestyles. There’s been a shift in us – to focus more on what is important in our lives, what has meaning, and what brings us joy.  I was in absolute joy just being present and seeing the glory of our diversity.

At iACT, we strive to bring joy to everyone we work with. Our work is to connect people with each other across our many divides, reminding each other that we are similar and share a common humanity.  Our work at iACT is to remind each other to pause for a moment, take that deep breath, be present,  see and appreciate who is in front of you. Take the next step and build a relationship with someone who is different. iACT works with people of many faiths, and cultures, bringing them together to cultivate peace and respect. So, we create opportunities for everyone to connect with someone different.

Recently, at iACT’s Hands on Housing month long Housing Repair event, we brought hundreds of volunteers together from different congregations, and organizations, to work on the homes of low-income homeowners. One of our elderly Homeowners, Ms. Miller,  hugged me and said “Simone, iACT is the real deal, you make me feel special, important.” And I said, “Well, because you are Important.”  We feel everyone we work with is important.

That same day, I visited another home, where about 36 teenagers, some of their parents, and teachers were working on a house. The homeowner spoke to those present and voluntarily shared the struggles of her childhood and thanked everyone for making her home safe for her and her 5 children.

She connected with everyone present, and in that moment our lives changed.  The work we were doing became even more meaningful and critical, because we knew that contributing time and resources drastically improved someone’s quality of life.

In iACT’s Refugee Program, we are connecting people to each other, by teaching newly arrived refugees English  and communication skills, by mentoring refugee youth, and giving them the tools to build a life and be successful here in Austin, Texas. What we know is that it takes a community to support each other, to share resources and talents to lift up each other in our times of need.

The work of iACT is to connect hearts. To lift up those who need a helping hand, and in the process rise to become our best selves. As we are getting together in person more often and learning to live and navigate through our new world, let us remember the importance of connection, and what it takes to remain connected. So, this holiday season  remember to let people know you love them, and you appreciate them.

The joy of life is in our relationships, it’s in the moments of connecting our hearts with each other. It’s in  knowing that everything we say, everything we do – how we treat each other, how we treat the natural world around us, affects our lives. One of the joys, and sobering realities of life is that everything is connected. So, let us love deeply, let us shout out our joys, let us see each other for the beauty of who we are, let us treat each other as the special gift we are in this world, and let us embrace the world around us as our own. It’s what we gift our children and our future generations, so we must protect and cherish it.

After all everything is connected.