Hope

Sometimes hope originates from a place of perceived hopelessness and sometimes the most extraordinary outcomes result from the most ordinary of actions. I have to admit that on this personal journey I am traveling towards a life of greater simplicity, there have been many moments when I have been a little less than proud to be an American. I am not proud of our country's greed and consumerism and oppression, but that conversation belongs in a different post on a different day.

Today, I want to focus on the positive. I have to say that I am overwhelmed with a sense of pride, hope, and empowerment that I have not felt in a very long time... if ever. I have always wanted so much to be part of a generation that stands up for things that are positive, humane, and hopeful and I have always believed that change is possible. I have also always believed that my generation - the youth of this country - has not been apathetic so much as it has been waiting for a chance to really be heard. And last night I saw a glimpse of what this kind of voice might mean in my lifetime. To me, that deserves a moment of pause and of reflection.

Some Inspiration from a Greeting Card

1. the path is not straight.

2. mistakes need not be fatal.

3. people are more important than achievements or possessions.

4. be gentle with your parents.

5. never stop doing what you care most about.

6. learn to use a semicolon.

7. you will find love.

                      - marion winik

Today I am meditating on number three. Of course this is something I believe, but I think it is also important to make sure my actions are aligning themselves with my beliefs. This can be challenging sometimes. A little reminder like the card I found on my desk this morning is nice. 

Let Me Show You What It's Like...

Let me show you what it's like

To be caught in the middle of nowhere and forever.

The wounds are real,

Although they are bandaged well.

No one really wants to see the hurt anyway;

No one wants to hear the cries.

We are too caught up in the facade,

The sensationalism,

The saying that it could never happen to us.

Who is this us anyway?

Is it the mother who sends her children to bed hungry each night,

To the sound of the nightly news blaring through the wall

And the smell of marijuana smoke tickling their noses?

There has to be a better way.

Or is this us the CEO with the five BMWs in his large garage -

Things he bought to make up for the emptiness of his house,

His relationship with his children, his wife, his ex-wife, his job that he hates?

Maybe there is such a thing as too much space.

Maybe the us are the ones who sit in the middle,

Saying just enough so that we don't really have to say anything.

No one really wants to see the hurt anyway.

Let me show you what it's like.

We argue over the economy, the war, gas prices.

No one mentions education much these days.

Silent cries of millions of children drowned out by more important things.

No one really wants to see the hurt anyway;

No one wants to hear the cries.

We are too caught up.

This could never happen to us.

These are not our children being misdirected by a lost generation,

Being punished by the greed of cheap solutions,

Being hardened by a lack of care.

Because if these are our children,

Then what does this say about us,

Being caught as we are in the middle of nowhere and forever?

Someone has to see the hurt.

Someone has to hear the cries.

We cannot stay trapped here for long. 

Ah-ha!

I just solved my gift-giving dilemma. Everyone is getting Kiva gift certificates. If you are not familiar with the organization, please check it out at www.kiva.org. What a great way to help make the world a more just and equitable place. Peace.

Inspiration...

Last week I ran my first 15 K race and found myself so inspired by all the athletes, volunteers, and most of all by the beauty of the fall morning. The course was amazing, I felt incredibly strong, and the weather could not have been better. 

And all this sort of got me thinking of all the things that inspire me and that make me grateful... so I thought I'd start a little list, the operative word being "start." I don't think a list like this is something you ever really finish, which is part of the journey that we call life. So, here it goes (in no particular order of importance, or else all the people would be first of course):

1. Desert sunrises

2. South Florida sunsets over the Gulf of Mexico

3. My arms and legs that let me run and cycle and walk and swim and sometimes even rock climb

4. My education and all the ways it has made me see the world through different eyes

5. My brother and his strength, both mentally and physically

6. My dad and his never-ending belief in and support of my dreams

7. My mom, the strongest and most beautiful woman I know

8. My boyfriend's love, support, humor, and intelligence

9. Authors who write about things that matter

10. The fact that storms don't last forever, and the probability that most of them will be followed by the most breathtaking peacefulness

11. My bicycle

12. Changing seasons

13. My house at about 3 p.m. every Thanksgiving

14. My 07-08 girls water polo team 

15. My brother's fiance for loving my brother and wanting to spend her life with him

16. Desert wildflowers

17. Joshua Tree National Park

18. My aunt's screened-in back porch and back yard

19. Molly, the best dog in the world (slightly biased, although most people who meet her and don't have their own dogs already would probably agree)

20. The possibility of peace and the people who believe in it

21. The roof over my head and the ground under my feet

22. Apologies and forgiveness

23. Beautiful artwork, photography, and music

24. Babies

25. Cecile Andrew's book The Circle of Simplicity

26. Yoga

27. My spin class at the gym

28. People who seek new truths and are not afraid to stand up for what they believe in

29. Teenagers who manage to develop and maintain a strong sense of self

30. All my extended family members who inspire me constantly

31. Socks and warm blankets and ear warmers and sweaters (it's cold today)

32. My dissertation chair and committee members who believe in me and my research

33. Teachers who dedicate their lives to our future and strive to create a more just, equitable, and peaceful world

34. Jonathan Kozol

35. Howard Zinn

36. My boyfriend's garden

37. Food on my table at every meal

38. Old photographs

39. Autumn and leaves changing colors

40. New beginnings

41. My friends - I have the best friends in the world

42. Quiet moments of reflection

43. Desert mornings

44. The smell of fresh rain

45. Freshly cut flowers on the dining room table

46. Diversity

47. Freedom, in both the ideal and realistic sense of the word

48. Conversations on a cold day by the fireplace

49. Businesses dedicated to sustainable living and responsible production

50. Smiles on the faces of children

Stay posted... my goal is to get to 100 by Thanksgiving.

 

Defining Voluntary Simpliciy

Although there are many definitions for voluntary simplicity, I really liked this one from www.choosingvoluntarysimplicy.com. 

It reads: Voluntary simplicity is a philosophy. Often called compassionate living, it is a conscious choice to simplify your life and a deliberate downshifting to create the life and home environment that fit you are your family... Voluntary simplicity is not a limiting lifestyle. Actually, choosing to live "consciously and deliberately" will give you freedom... more quality time... more discretionary money... and more appreciation and enjoyment of every aspect of your life.

Beautifully-worded. Simple, yet profound. To me, it is worth it to strive to live a life centered around the ideas and ideals that I can really believe in. It is a journey, and I'm enjoying the ride...

And Yet Another Idea (Or Two) For November

My cousin suggested two more great ideas for Thanksgiving. We are going to volunteer to work at a soup kitchen (I really can't believe that is something I have never done) and also try to infuse some organic foods into our Thanksgiving feast. I say "infuse" because I don't think that this year, with the number of people we feed (60-70) and the amount of coordination that entails, we would be able to go completely organic. But where we can, we are going to try to. I'm beginning to look forward to all of these little, yet important, challenges.