This Luxury

Do this. Don’t do that.
Be happy. Be angry.
Be optimistic. Let it go. Normalize. Act. Fight


Every act is a political act.
Every inaction is a political act.


How long can political junkies sustain? Stay sane?
Watching from the sidelines, jumping into the game.


According to reports…everything is a swirling jumbled mess.
There are no signs of clarity.


I was at PD today, learning how to build trust and rapport.
We spoke of vulnerability and the five states of mind:


Flexilbity
Interconnectedness
Efficacy
Craftsmanship
Consciousness


Still learning about how these states of mind might help me in my professional career, but on a personal level- learning to navigate the online muck and cesspool of political understanding, it might behoove me to consider the five states of mind.


Currently I am exploring the consciousness field. Trying to find out where I stand and why I am standing there. How I got here and where I might move next. I am reading and weighing and thinking and reflecting nearly every second of the day.


But right now at this exact moment, on a Saturday night, after friends just left, I am rambling and scrabbling for some kind of meaning, when all I need is a novel and the warm embrace of fiction. A blanket of words and the safe bed of narratives. I need some calm and rest and the hopefulness and gratitude of tomorrow, Thankful that I am have enough privilege to even entertain this calculated approach.


Other people do not have this luxury, and I am aware enough to know that justice cannot wait too long for me to get my shit together.

participate with it. (Us)

About a month ago, I wrote about my blossoming love of (for? to? with? Prepositions can be so vague)  Ze Frank. Since then, I have subscribed to his show, called A show, and I have been watching it religiously. This will be a long-story-short blog post, so hang on--here we go:

A few weeks ago, I watched this:

Thought it was a cute idea but never got around to it, (Side note: the idea burrowed into my brain and set roots). It seemed simple enough, this making stamps, but I didn't make (noticed I said make not have) the time.

Then I saw this:

I thought, "Damn. I can't look myself in the eyes if I don't at least try this," so I started carving. This first stamp was meant to be a trial run, so I didn't put too much thought into the symbol I used. I went back to ole' faithful-- the Azadi stencil. There is something cool about blending two separate art projects right? I hope to create a more permanent, well-thought out stamp this summer, but for now I am pleased with the Azadi stamp:

I painted my signature, added my stamp and sent it to Ze.

Why did I do this? I had a feeling that was important to me and I needed to chase my happy.

Watch:

You might want to check out The Everything Thing before you leave this space.

There is a lot more I can say about inspiration, art, humor, the Internet, happiness etc...but I am tired and busy and need to go read for a bit. I have been busy all night making stamps and writing blogs posts about the process, so I will end with this:

When you are inspired, take action.  Doing things makes you happy. Wishing you would causes anxiety and suffering. Art action no mater how small, feeds your soul and inspires others. Do not consume the Internet, participate with it. (Us)

Thanks Ze.