Change. BIG word, many meanings. And if anything transparently obvious has occurred since the last election in 2008, the people have utilized the constitutional right to speech. I do get this edge of tingly excitement inside me when i think of my generation implementing it's own genre of "populist movements." Major pump fist, America. And by this I'm not just referring to the Occupy Wall Street movement, but also the Tea Party movement that initiated itself in early 2009. Also, the hundreds of thousands of protesters who made their voice known against policy changes of Governor Scott Walker in Wisconsin, who cut thousands of public government workers' pensions and benefits as a means for appropriate state growth.
When you stop and look at so much of the kind of activism that has been triggered, the Tea Party and the like, as a result of Obama's efforts - TARP, the stimulus package, and now the health care reform - there is a lot of sense this government is changing.
And if we even look more globally, we see the beginnings of the Egyptian democratic movement unfolding, leading continued democratic trends in the Libyan ruling class against Gaddafi and now into Saudi Arabia. And interestingly so, how articles published by the very wealthy ruling families of these countries confirm the need for meaningful and significant social and political changes in Arab nations.
Well I'll be damned. "Change" becomes the number one trendy word of the era. And fun to spice up, occasionally, like, "No, no, we want EPIC change!" or "REAL change is happening."
To me, this appears absolutely mind-blowing. It's fascinating, truly. And I think we can all relate significantly to this feeling-- partisan feelings aside. When we feel wronged, we respond. Some of that takes action differently... some people feel it strongly and adamantly enough that emotions shoot through the roof and they act in the first way that makes sense and can commonly make their subjective proclamation reflect adequately.
And I always laugh when I am with my ladies, we're looking pretty spiced up walking down the street, and men honk or yell out the windows at our raging, unbelievable hotness. And I always laugh and ask, "Why in the world do they do that?" And sometimes when I ask guys why they do that, they don't know. They just do it because they feel like doing it to get our attention. I keep telling my friends I can't wait for one day when some hawt stud does that to me and I take off after him in his vehicle and say, "You sure did capture my heart with that sexy, sexy honk." It could happen.
Strange. But it doesn't hit far from home, right? Something moves us and we respond. Protesting has become a key element of our response, and we have seen it hit all over the place.
I think deep down, we are disappointed. Deeply, deeply disappointed in a system that albeit known to us, has failed. Failed us in our dreams. Failed us in our hopes. Failed us in attempting to be human together as a nation. And even though I make fun of the word change, I really think it's a word to translate our deepest urges to try another way, to repent, to let go our greed and consumerism and remember what makes us who we are at the deepest level. We're the United States of America, significantly founded on premises so extreme-- that our roots we're to supposedly propel us towards greatness.
And I am in favor of change-- to our economical policies and our relinquishment of lobbying bureaucracies to determine what our country cares about. We want to remind others, as well as ourselves, what we care about. And by looking at "them," I am also look at me. Little ole betty. I want to act against the injustices that corrupt, the daily inequalities that forgo human rights and ignite despair in the lives of the helpless and powerless, and I yearn to give to aid the well-being of us, together.
I have to admit--- my life is pretty chaotic. I used to be super disciplined and super all-knowing (duh) but then life kept bitch slapping me all the time that my brain would fill with lots of thoughts all the time (and sometimes really awesome magical thoughts) and presumably making the realization that I didn't know anything (such a shame). It would be so much better if I was married and had 2 and half kids and lived somewhere mightily awesome with a really fat chunky dog because then I could attribute my chaos to that. But I'm not married. I DON'T EVEN HAVE A DOG. Just a killer great stuffed elephant named Hermie (who comes alive at night). Sometimes I need a vacation from myself. But I'm with myself day by day, and sometimes--even for just moments--I can set aside my chaotic brain and act in small ways towards the just and goodness of our people and land.
So, what I am getting at is that practical action initiated into our day-to-day awesome lives is where the most effective, and potentially feasibly, collective change can occur. And by God, we can do this.
BUT HOW?
Here are my ideas:
1. Curb that appetite, homegirl. The fact of the matter is not that we will not consume as American people, but on WHAT will we consume. Will we buy those jeans that are made by cute children laboring from poor working environments while we rage in super trendiness in American style? Which matters? And honestly, when we take the time to care about our choices and the rippling effect of our choices, it takes effort. SERIOUS effort. And that is when we decide between what we care about and laziness/comfort. Most of the time we buy to boost our self-esteem and remake some sort of value to our "value." Look good, dangit, but do some good while lookin it. And the whole "localvore" is not for raging liberal hippies. It's caring about the community around you and supporting them through intentional economic endeavors. (Though I do admit that the raging liberal hippies have stunned me with some awesome ideas before)
2."I'm a lover, not a fighter," once said Michael Jackson. And I'm pretty sure that today the saying to lead the way of change would be, "I'm a giver, not a taker." And that essence, truly I think we know we are alive when we give, and especially to those who are in legitimate need. Though I'm a Pinterest junkie and junk junkie connoisseur, I truly don't want to live a narrow-minded life that forgets my neighbor and hesitates to see past my own interests. You are your brother's keeper, and that is s gift beyond compare. Who are the marginalized in your community-- who are just as hungry for love and acceptance and care as you are?
3. Discipline in the Financial Realm. It speaks for itself. And I am not saying much because me and Dave Ramsey need to spend a little more time together.
4. Make it, bake it, CREATE it! Surely most of us feel stifled in our creative process a lot of the time, but you can be renewed in that by returning make to the basics. Again, this take effort. I am attempting to learn how to knit (I have fat fingers so it's been a process) and also learning how to relish certain ingredients to whip up a convenient and healthy meal anytime. I first encourage you to hit up trying to grow your own food! There is such a beautiful thing about eating things in which you've witnessed the process of it's growth (This is not a statement to encourage you to eat your cat). Use your farmer's markets-- farmers really are the coolest people I know. Not a lie. Go to junkyards, check it at goodwill, find treasures that are considered "junk." All matter of perspective, people.
5. Broaden your civic engagement. Find volunteer opportunities that vary in accordance with groups of people where you can learn how things are run and voice inequalities that may exist in different lines of policy. We think we know, but really we don't know much because we don't get involved with those that make decisions and are geared toward tomorrow's future. Read your local history. Let's learn where we've been to see where we can go.
6. Brainstorm continuous ideas for change right where you are.
7. Live simply in content. Get over yourself and your expectations. Today is the best thing that's ever happened to you.
I think our influence on how we incorporate change is more contagious than we realize. I suck at these things a lot-- knowing the small yet heavy power they have in the small movement of things is incredible and sometimes overwhelming. But when we sow into the things of true life and goodness, we will surely bring a change in ourselves, and the mighty change in us as a people.
“When asked if I am pessimistic or optimistic about the future, my answer is always the same: If you look at the science about what is happening on earth and aren’t pessimistic, you don’t understand data. But if you meet the people who are working to restore this earth and the lives of the poor, and you aren’t optimistic, you haven’t got a pulse. What I see everywhere in the world are ordinary people willing to confront despair, power, and incalculable odds in order to restore some semblance of grace, justice, and beauty to this world.” ― Paul Hawken
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