Tag Archives: activism

Day 320: Eleven.TwentyOne.13

Street Art outside of Busboys & Poets (5th & K location)

Street Art outside of Busboys & Poets (5th & K location)

Here’s to another day of creativity…

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Day 319: Eleven.Twenty.13

I had a lot of time with myself today. Some thoughts came to me:

I’ve less been active by choice, more by necessity, all these years. Literally not being able to sit still made dance my perfect outlet. I’ve had times in my life when I’m without this life-force and I always find myself in despair. I call it the thing that ‘saved’ me growing up.

I recently had my peace-love-and-art lifestyle chastised. I don’t like being made to feel less than. (Who does, of course?) But this time, I didn’t feel the need to fight back. I didn’t feel the need to prove myself – to MAKE them see the error of their ways.

If anything, it only made my resolve to LIVE this kind of life and REACH those kind of people more solidified. Because I’m telling you, everything, everything is easier, better, lovelier, when you can allow yourself to breathe and soak in any and all forms of creativity. I really, truly believe it to be so. It’s just a matter of being able to tap into that, particularly in a society where we are so often taught it’s not OK to be vulnerable and unique and ‘different.’

Today was the Presidential Medal of Freedom Reception. Sixteen individuals received the highest civilian honor for their “meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.” It was a wonderful reminder of what, of course, I know to be true – people receive lifetime achievement awards for making this a safer, better, more loving place to live – not for contributing to violence and hate and ugliness.

—

Sometimes, it’s not about forgiveness but rather about simply letting go. Making the conscious decision to live happy is a powerful thing.

I let go of some built up emotions I’ve been feeling. Just like that. I. Let. Them. Go. Not for show, not to prove anything, but because I really truly no longer want to be burdened by them. I live a fairly drama-filled life. Not anything crazy, mind you. But I tend to thrive in a dynamic and situation-filled world. A friend recently helped me see that perhaps, in the love arena, this isn’t the way to go.

I feel power-full in letting go. My chest feels a bit less tight. My lips are involuntarily curling into the slightest smile. I feel. Content. On my couch. On my own. And that is perhaps the first time in a long time I can say that with any conviction.

Here’s to another day of creativity…

Day 303: Eleven.Four.13

I just realized that One Common Unity quoted my post from way back when, on their website in the Praise for the film section. Awww, that makes me feel so good!

And what perfect timing… as today, we announced that we (ReSourceArts) will be hosting an advanced screening of the movie for our December Reel Talk event.

I’m so so so thrilled. I hope you can, and will, see the movie.

Here’s to another day of creativity…

Day 288: Ten.Twenty.13

I’m being challenged to examine the truths I know about myself in a deeper way than, perhaps, ever.

I don’t even think he knows.

I have more questions than answers.

I mostly can’t even find words to respond with.

I don’t even think he knows.

Everything I stand for.

In every way I think I have been giving and kind and helpful.

All of it is in need of scrutiny.

My optimism and ‘heal the world’ privileged mentality.

All of it, maybe, is in need of an overhaul. Closer understanding of its origins and true helpfulness, at the very least.

It frightens me. I am grateful for it.

I don’t even think he knows.

—

He’s changing, too.

I’m pretty sure he knows.

Here’s to another day of creativity…

Day 281: Ten.Thirteen.13

Banksy is doing a month-long ‘residency‘ in New York.

How totally awesome.

I may just drop everything and head up there, to scout for as much of his work as I can.

Here’s to another day of creativity…

Day 266: Nine.TwentyEight.13

I am to perform a solo in front of the waterfall at the FDR Memorial today. Originally set to ‘Brother Can You Spare A Dime?’ but performed today, with no music. The theme is that of struggle – what we face as artists. What we give up, sacrifice, are willing to do to be fulfilled by the ability to move, dance, create.

FDR Memorial

I will dance anywhere, anytime, to any music.

But it has suddenly occurred to me that I am afraid to perform this piece.

It’s almost certain we will be stopped.

I’m afraid to upset people, disrupt the serenity of this place.

Our intentions are pure – we wish to share a bit of joy and beauty and art with passersby. We mean no ill will. It’s part of a larger collection of movement and dance throughout the city, called #danceaboutdc. Such a great idea – you purchase a ticket and then are emailed instructions on where to go to ‘find’ the dancing. We all love a secret location. This is fun. Happy-making.

And yet, I feel afraid.

What does this make me, then? If I am not willing to risk a little bit of personal discomfort for my art form?

—

We were indeed stopped. The compromise was us moving to a public piece of land outside of the memorial. Not the same effect, but safe and upstanding and non-fear-inducing.

—

I won’t ever be the kind of person who fights. It’s just not in my nature. But I do hope the brave pieces of me continue to develop. Today, maybe, I partially succeeded in this.

Here’s to another day of creativity…

Day 252: Nine.Fourteen.13

On an unsuccessful journey to find gluten-free cupcakes in a mall, we instead stumbled upon this ad campaign by Lush. Still a bit confused on the connection between soap and anti-bullying. But hey, any campaign spreading peace and non-violence I can sure get behind.

Erase Bullying

Erase Bullying

Here’s to another day of creativity…

Day 210: Eight.Three.13

Dear CVS:

I bought post-its. What I walked out with is completely unacceptable:

CVS Receipt Campaign

In a time and place where everything is becoming digitized, why have you not figured out a way to stop printing these kinds of coupons?

In a time and place where there is so much emphasis on creating more sustainable and environmentally friendly products (that’s trendy now, right?), why have you not figured out a way to reduce your footprint?

Why is there not an app, or a way to create an account directly tied to your member reward card?

To give a bit of context: I purchased three items… My receipt has seven coupons.

Don’t get me wrong. I appreciate coupons. What I don’t appreciate – can’t get behind – are the amount of natural resources being wasted each and every day for people to, let’s be honest, throw away – recycle at best – these receipts.

I don’t know quite yet the best avenue to address this. I’m thinking a letter, a campaign perhaps, or maybe there’s already something being done to stop it? I’m going to start my research and find out. (If there is something being done, dear blog readers, please please comment and let me know!!) In the meantime, I just can’t shop at CVS anymore.

I have no factual basis for this, but I would imagine if my receipt is nearly as tall as I am, we could very quickly circle the earth with these CVS coupons if we all kept them. What a terrible, terrible waste.

This certainly isn’t a world issue – pressing and detrimental to survival – but it sure is a symptom of our consumer culture, and how desensitized we, as a culture are, to environmental stewardship – really truly taking care of our earth because it MATTERS. Not just because it’s trendy.

Dear CVS, please please please stop printing this out of control receipts.

We will all be better off for it.

Here’s to another day of creativity…

Day 206: Seven.Thirty.13

THIS is about the most fabulous response to a ridiculous tabloid story I can think of.

Rock on Amanda Palmer. Rock on.

Here’s to another day of creativity…