We've all heard the phrase "Never talk religion and politics in polite company."
I don't like this concept. Can we only discuss this in impolite company then? Are we not able to discuss these topics politely?
How will we ever find progress if we all just stick to what we believe in and discuss it only with those who believe the same thing? We need to branch out and explore other opinions in order to evolve and become better people.
We need that uncomfortable discussion. We will only move forward with it. We need to have accepting, positive, educated conversations. We need to explore each other's beliefs with an open mind and a beautiful sense of respect.
And we need to be open to changing our minds. "Changing your mind is one of the best ways of figuring out if you still have one." -Taylor Mali
The key is not to avoid controversial topics. It is to learn how to discuss them politely and in the right time and place. Don't assume everything your chosen political party does is right, and don't assume everything the other party does is wrong. Find out why, open your mind, and see if maybe you can find the good there.
Many people have said to me, "you don't want to hear my views on that topic." Not true! Actually, you are exactly who I do want to talk to. I want to understand. I want to know. I want you to see my point of view and I want to see your point of view. I want us to find a platform that we can stand on together to bring this world closer to a point of peace and harmony and equality for all.
Are you far right? Far left? I bet we can agree on something. So let's talk. Let's find that something. We are all still looking for the same things in this world. Let's find a way to them together through healthy, mature discussion and debate.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Napalm on Mosquitoes
“It’s like using Napalm
to kill mosquitoes”
he chuckled as he
cleaned a tomato
with his green peace shirt
“these politicians are running
in circles finding huge
solutions for small problems
and ignoring the big ones”
He smiled at me and I wondered
at the man I just met
at the man standing in front
of me. A citizen
of this great country
this country that is split
by party line
This great citizen, this
amazing man who spends
his retirement growing vegetables
and reading poetry
risks suffering at the hands
of these suits in office
who can’t compromise
who continue to throw sand
like children on a playground
He fought for our country
he paid his taxes
he invested in social security
And now he fears
it will all go away
he will lose his income
his healthcare because
the talking heads can’t
see past their next election
and make a decision.
And they are instead
telling me college students
don’t have enough life
experience
to vote.
They are telling us that
there is no easy solution
to debt ceilings and economic
collapse
One tells us a statistic
the other tells us it’s a lie
who do you believe?
Who do you trust?
I trust this man
who stands in front of me
who fought for our country
who paid his taxes
who elected these officials
to work for him.
I trust this man
who deserves better
who understands the dangers
firsthand
of using Napalm
to kill mosquitoes.
to kill mosquitoes”
he chuckled as he
cleaned a tomato
with his green peace shirt
“these politicians are running
in circles finding huge
solutions for small problems
and ignoring the big ones”
He smiled at me and I wondered
at the man I just met
at the man standing in front
of me. A citizen
of this great country
this country that is split
by party line
This great citizen, this
amazing man who spends
his retirement growing vegetables
and reading poetry
risks suffering at the hands
of these suits in office
who can’t compromise
who continue to throw sand
like children on a playground
He fought for our country
he paid his taxes
he invested in social security
And now he fears
it will all go away
he will lose his income
his healthcare because
the talking heads can’t
see past their next election
and make a decision.
And they are instead
telling me college students
don’t have enough life
experience
to vote.
They are telling us that
there is no easy solution
to debt ceilings and economic
collapse
One tells us a statistic
the other tells us it’s a lie
who do you believe?
Who do you trust?
I trust this man
who stands in front of me
who fought for our country
who paid his taxes
who elected these officials
to work for him.
I trust this man
who deserves better
who understands the dangers
firsthand
of using Napalm
to kill mosquitoes.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Falling in Love With This Maine City
Lewiston. The Armpit of Maine. The people of Maine don't often think of Lewiston-Auburn in a positive light. Even as a child raised in a small town half an hour outside the city I knew Lewiston for its Lisbon Street hookers and it's dangerous alleyways. I knew Auburn for it's shopping, not even realizing people actually lived in this city. Since I moved here in 2003 I've viewed the area as a stepping stone. I've been biding my time until I could afford to move to a bigger city with a better arts scene.
Something has changed in me recently. And I think something has also changed in this community. I'm falling in love with this city and its inhabitants. I never thought I would say that. Walking to work every day has forced me to slow down and appreciate what we have here. I've found fountains and benches and beautiful brick work I never knew existed. I've met amazing people and seen unique acts of kindness.
This summer I've attended a series of Art Walks that have been a lot of fun. I've gotten to know quite a few community members through those events and the collections of art galleries that have recently opened. I've become aquainted with the people who previously were afraid to walk Lisbon Street, and now on the last friday of each month pour out of their homes and laugh together on those sidewalks. I've attended open mic nights at a local UU Church and at the library. I've seen teens with musical talent we'll be buying off of ITunes one day.
Through the campaign job I'm doing this summer I've met a lot of the local politicians. The people running these two cities and the people running for office this fall because they hope to change things in this area. People here have hope. The face of Lewiston-Auburn is changing and these amazing people are at the forefront of this change. I have felt honored to get to know them.
I've also met some amazing poets, authors, artists, musicians, photographers. I've met people using this corner of Maine to reach out and change the world and people using these two cities to hide from a world they tired of. This has to be one of the most diverse areas in the state. Sitting on a bench by Gritty's any number of characters can walk past you. Business owners, old hippies, internationally known movers and shakers.
One day while on the gay marriage campaign trail I met a woman who was in her 60's and told me her brother just died recently and the only friends who really supported her were the lesbians next door. She wanted to fight for their right to marry in this state as a form of thanks to them. I met a sixteen year old hispanic boy dressed like a pimp - complete with giant bling earrings - who was horrified to discover his mother doesn't vote and spoke passionately about the recent political campaigns facing this state.
Yesterday I met an amazing man who is an internationally known photographer. A few weeks ago I exchanged email addresses with a man who is a local poet. He sent me a beautiful poem about the bridges we cross in life. I met women who remember when Lisbon Street was bustling with people walking through the snow to bring home Christmas treasures, and believe it will one day look like that again.
A few months ago I was spending most of my time working in a different city and I was desperately feeling like a nomad. My whole life I have been deeply entrenched in the community I lived in no matter where that was. I have always volunteered at community events, known every face and every home in the area. In the eight years I've lived here I haven't felt that. Until now.
Today I can't wait to finish this blog so I can get out into this beautiful community. Smile at the familiar faces, grab a coffee at a cafe and maybe stop by the library and say hello to the kind women who work there. Walk the beautiful riverwalk to work and snap a few photos of the historic walking bridge that connects the twin cities.
Thanks to a temporary part-time job and a failing SUV I have found new roots. I've established a relationship with a city I was simply existing in before this. I have fallen in love with Lewiston-Auburn. I have crossed a bridge in my life.
Something has changed in me recently. And I think something has also changed in this community. I'm falling in love with this city and its inhabitants. I never thought I would say that. Walking to work every day has forced me to slow down and appreciate what we have here. I've found fountains and benches and beautiful brick work I never knew existed. I've met amazing people and seen unique acts of kindness.
This summer I've attended a series of Art Walks that have been a lot of fun. I've gotten to know quite a few community members through those events and the collections of art galleries that have recently opened. I've become aquainted with the people who previously were afraid to walk Lisbon Street, and now on the last friday of each month pour out of their homes and laugh together on those sidewalks. I've attended open mic nights at a local UU Church and at the library. I've seen teens with musical talent we'll be buying off of ITunes one day.
Through the campaign job I'm doing this summer I've met a lot of the local politicians. The people running these two cities and the people running for office this fall because they hope to change things in this area. People here have hope. The face of Lewiston-Auburn is changing and these amazing people are at the forefront of this change. I have felt honored to get to know them.
I've also met some amazing poets, authors, artists, musicians, photographers. I've met people using this corner of Maine to reach out and change the world and people using these two cities to hide from a world they tired of. This has to be one of the most diverse areas in the state. Sitting on a bench by Gritty's any number of characters can walk past you. Business owners, old hippies, internationally known movers and shakers.
One day while on the gay marriage campaign trail I met a woman who was in her 60's and told me her brother just died recently and the only friends who really supported her were the lesbians next door. She wanted to fight for their right to marry in this state as a form of thanks to them. I met a sixteen year old hispanic boy dressed like a pimp - complete with giant bling earrings - who was horrified to discover his mother doesn't vote and spoke passionately about the recent political campaigns facing this state.
Yesterday I met an amazing man who is an internationally known photographer. A few weeks ago I exchanged email addresses with a man who is a local poet. He sent me a beautiful poem about the bridges we cross in life. I met women who remember when Lisbon Street was bustling with people walking through the snow to bring home Christmas treasures, and believe it will one day look like that again.
A few months ago I was spending most of my time working in a different city and I was desperately feeling like a nomad. My whole life I have been deeply entrenched in the community I lived in no matter where that was. I have always volunteered at community events, known every face and every home in the area. In the eight years I've lived here I haven't felt that. Until now.
Today I can't wait to finish this blog so I can get out into this beautiful community. Smile at the familiar faces, grab a coffee at a cafe and maybe stop by the library and say hello to the kind women who work there. Walk the beautiful riverwalk to work and snap a few photos of the historic walking bridge that connects the twin cities.
Thanks to a temporary part-time job and a failing SUV I have found new roots. I've established a relationship with a city I was simply existing in before this. I have fallen in love with Lewiston-Auburn. I have crossed a bridge in my life.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Garbage, Trash Heaps and You
This topic has come up in conversation a few times recently and within the conversation a few people have asked me to write about it because we think it's something more people should be talking about.
Anyone who knows me well knows my anti-plastic stance. The few plastic bags we do end up with in my home we reuse as much as possible, but usually we use reusable grocery bags. I use reusable bottles for water and juice and reusable containers instead of sandwich bags. However, not enough people are doing this and even I should be doing more. Everyone needs to take responsibility for their use of non-biodegradable plastics.
Reuse It.
Floating in the Pacific Ocean is the biggest garbage dump in the world, largely made up of plastic and styrofoam. Some reports suggest it may be twice the size of Texas.
Give me a minute. I have to compose myself because writing that makes me nauseous. While I do that watch this video:
This is a sickening, horrific reality. The fact that it exists is sickening. The fact that only a small percentage of America is talking about it is worse. And America isn't the only one to blame. This disgusting trash heap floats in international waters, and many different countries contributed to it. And don't think it's just the Pacific, there is one in the Atlantic as well. And the Indian Ocean.
I want to address the skeptics here because I like to include both sides of every story. There are some people who feel the size and impact of the trash is grossly exaggerated and then this is just an agenda by environmentalists. To them I have to say who cares? Even if it's only the size of Rhode Island that's too much. Even if it's just one plastic bag wrapped around one crab's legs it's too much. We need to be more respectful of the planet and the other beings who inhabit it. We are intelligent beings with the ability to do amazing things, so why are we still doing such foolish things as well?
If we can put a computer into every American's pocket and we can create beautiful things in this world why can't we also reduce our negative impact on the environment?
These trash heaps affect marine life, birds, water quality, air quality. The statistics are horrific. The photos are worse.
Here is a website for more information.
A quick survey of even the greenest of my friends proved that too many people are unaware of this situation. More people need to know. More people need to be talking about this. This should be common knowledge. Every time we grocery shop we should be thinking of this. Every time we pick up bottled water we should remember where that bottle is headed next. If you think about buying styrofoam plates you should be aware.
As my partner said earlier this week, "you can only allow yourself to remain so naive on these things before you have to face the reality of it." Convenience causes us to just use and use and waste and waste but the little extra effort it would take could make a huge difference in the future of this planet. We can't continue walking through this world with blinders on and our hands over our ears. We need to demand better of ourselves and our fellow earthlings.
Great Garbage Patch
Anyone who knows me well knows my anti-plastic stance. The few plastic bags we do end up with in my home we reuse as much as possible, but usually we use reusable grocery bags. I use reusable bottles for water and juice and reusable containers instead of sandwich bags. However, not enough people are doing this and even I should be doing more. Everyone needs to take responsibility for their use of non-biodegradable plastics.
Reuse It.
Floating in the Pacific Ocean is the biggest garbage dump in the world, largely made up of plastic and styrofoam. Some reports suggest it may be twice the size of Texas.
Give me a minute. I have to compose myself because writing that makes me nauseous. While I do that watch this video:
This is a sickening, horrific reality. The fact that it exists is sickening. The fact that only a small percentage of America is talking about it is worse. And America isn't the only one to blame. This disgusting trash heap floats in international waters, and many different countries contributed to it. And don't think it's just the Pacific, there is one in the Atlantic as well. And the Indian Ocean.
I want to address the skeptics here because I like to include both sides of every story. There are some people who feel the size and impact of the trash is grossly exaggerated and then this is just an agenda by environmentalists. To them I have to say who cares? Even if it's only the size of Rhode Island that's too much. Even if it's just one plastic bag wrapped around one crab's legs it's too much. We need to be more respectful of the planet and the other beings who inhabit it. We are intelligent beings with the ability to do amazing things, so why are we still doing such foolish things as well?
If we can put a computer into every American's pocket and we can create beautiful things in this world why can't we also reduce our negative impact on the environment?
These trash heaps affect marine life, birds, water quality, air quality. The statistics are horrific. The photos are worse.
Here is a website for more information.
A quick survey of even the greenest of my friends proved that too many people are unaware of this situation. More people need to know. More people need to be talking about this. This should be common knowledge. Every time we grocery shop we should be thinking of this. Every time we pick up bottled water we should remember where that bottle is headed next. If you think about buying styrofoam plates you should be aware.
As my partner said earlier this week, "you can only allow yourself to remain so naive on these things before you have to face the reality of it." Convenience causes us to just use and use and waste and waste but the little extra effort it would take could make a huge difference in the future of this planet. We can't continue walking through this world with blinders on and our hands over our ears. We need to demand better of ourselves and our fellow earthlings.
Great Garbage Patch
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Discipline and Writing
Writing is hard. Anyone who tells you it's easy is lying. Writing is hard.
This blog post has taken me hours because I have no self-control when it comes to distractions. I've listened to a podcast, talked to my sister, been on Skype with my girlfriend, sent out tweets. Anything BUT face this blank digital canvas.
If I have a deadline I am all set. I never miss a deadline. I'm compulsive about it. I usually have things finished early, actually. I have gone two semesters of school without a single late homework assignment. I'm not bragging, it's actually a sickness. Some form of OCD I'm sure. Could probably be treated with some mind-altering drug if I was into those.
When I don't have a deadline, however, I don't write. I have three novels I'm currently hopping between and every once in awhile I find a day that I write like a madwoman for hours on end, but most of the time they just take up space in my backpack. I occasionally gaze at them with guilt as I turn on a sitcom or pick up a novel.
I've done some research into developing discipline as writers. It appears I am truly not alone in this. Many writers tend to procrastinate. Nearly every website and book that talks about this posts the same six steps:
1. Set up a writing schedule
2. Write every day
3. Set goals
4. Keep a calendar of deadlines
5. Keep a journal
6. Join a writing workshop
If I could follow through with steps 1-4 I would be all set. Self-discipline is not an easy thing to develop and though all of these ideas appear to be good ones on paper, they are harder to execute than one would think .
I want to know where those characters I've written about are going, yet I can't seem to take them there.
Step 5, I have kept a journal for over fifteen years. I have kept a series of blogs/online journals for at least the last ten or eleven years. This is easy. It doesn't make me produce anything good, however.
6... this is the one I've never tried. This is likely my next stop. I enjoyed workshops in my creative writing class last semester. I like seeing my work through other's eyes and sharing with like-minded folks. So maybe I'll spend this morning looking for a workshop group?
Stephen Dietz (author of the play "Fiction") wrote that writers like the idea of solitude. We think that's what we need to find inspiration. Once we have it, however, we find ourselves unable to write. I need to stop seeking solitude for inspiration, and instead seek out social situations that will inspire. Because when it comes down to it, I love to write, even when it isn't easy.
Or maybe that's just one more excuse to not write...
This blog post has taken me hours because I have no self-control when it comes to distractions. I've listened to a podcast, talked to my sister, been on Skype with my girlfriend, sent out tweets. Anything BUT face this blank digital canvas.
If I have a deadline I am all set. I never miss a deadline. I'm compulsive about it. I usually have things finished early, actually. I have gone two semesters of school without a single late homework assignment. I'm not bragging, it's actually a sickness. Some form of OCD I'm sure. Could probably be treated with some mind-altering drug if I was into those.
When I don't have a deadline, however, I don't write. I have three novels I'm currently hopping between and every once in awhile I find a day that I write like a madwoman for hours on end, but most of the time they just take up space in my backpack. I occasionally gaze at them with guilt as I turn on a sitcom or pick up a novel.
I've done some research into developing discipline as writers. It appears I am truly not alone in this. Many writers tend to procrastinate. Nearly every website and book that talks about this posts the same six steps:
1. Set up a writing schedule
2. Write every day
3. Set goals
4. Keep a calendar of deadlines
5. Keep a journal
6. Join a writing workshop
If I could follow through with steps 1-4 I would be all set. Self-discipline is not an easy thing to develop and though all of these ideas appear to be good ones on paper, they are harder to execute than one would think .
I want to know where those characters I've written about are going, yet I can't seem to take them there.
Step 5, I have kept a journal for over fifteen years. I have kept a series of blogs/online journals for at least the last ten or eleven years. This is easy. It doesn't make me produce anything good, however.
6... this is the one I've never tried. This is likely my next stop. I enjoyed workshops in my creative writing class last semester. I like seeing my work through other's eyes and sharing with like-minded folks. So maybe I'll spend this morning looking for a workshop group?
Stephen Dietz (author of the play "Fiction") wrote that writers like the idea of solitude. We think that's what we need to find inspiration. Once we have it, however, we find ourselves unable to write. I need to stop seeking solitude for inspiration, and instead seek out social situations that will inspire. Because when it comes down to it, I love to write, even when it isn't easy.
Or maybe that's just one more excuse to not write...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)