Home is where the heart is and the heart can feel at home in places that are not their place of residence. Home can be anywhere. I feel at home in my own house but, many do not. I feel at home on the beach. I feel at home in Las Vegas on the strip and surrounding areas because I have been there several times. I feel at home when visiting certain people like our extended family in Iowa. Some people feel at home in their country and some do not. I strangely felt more at home in Paris than I did in the United States. I was not expecting that feeling. But it could have been because I was viewing it through a tourist lense and not as an African American or person of color who actually lives there.

I’m often bewildered and amused at the same time when people shout to other races, “GO BACK HOME!” Especially, in America. I first think, “You first.” We all will one day go back home. We all are made from the earth and the dust of stars, galaxies, and so forth. We are all living on that which our bodies are made of. And for those of us who believe in heaven, another dimension, another realm, that is home to the spirit or soul.

This month, let us cultivate home and let us always practice making other people feel at home.

~Nikki