Inspiration v. Despair

I love messages that are inspiring and full of hope and leave me feeling positive
It's why I'm fascinated by A is For and Occupy and No More Page 3, and V-Day
And all the A-Z of organizations who in their own way
Are just trying to make it better, easier, nicer
For people.
Because that's what we all are in the end
Whether we're writers or artists or bankers or plumbers or dentists
We. Are. People.

It's why I love artists like Amy Krouse Rosenthal.
Not just artists
Writers and composers and historians and entrepreneurs and builders and all the souls just trying to make a difference.
People who say,
Let's make this better
Let's make this nicer, more beautiful, more inspiring
A less harsh place to live in.
Like Eve Ensler, like Martha Plimpton, like Anne Summers.

It's why I loved reading Obama's book.
He has the audacity to hope for something better
A time, a place, a now that doesn't tread on people
And why is it so audacious to want hope?
Shouldn't it be utterly audacious to only see the bottom line, to hurt, to lie, to steal, to see a world devoid of beauty?
Imagine a world where people were actually nice to each other.
Imagine such a thing
"Hippy" John Lennon.
If you believe in peace and love and nicety, you're a damn communist.

We are a rock revolting.
There is so much anger and hate and sadness,
But it can be different.
We must speak out.
We must appreciate each other.
We must not be afraid.

I've been afraid.
I am afraid
Of my own voice.
So afraid I haven't written, I haven't sung, I'm scared of dancing in public.
I'm scared of my own body.
Because the people who speak out
Are laughed at, trolled, vilified, shot.
People are miserable, living on the street, dying horrifically.
God, it can all seem so awful.

And I shift between total inspiration
And total despair.
What can I do?!
Breathe. Just breathe.
And trust that it all gets better. That change IS possible.
And get on with what I have to do.

The end.

Just Around the Riverbend

A year ago today I knew I was moving to London but I didn’t know how

A year ago today my best friend was despairing that he would never meet someone and in six months he’s getting married. 

A year ago today I had no idea what 2011 would bring but I knew it would be exciting.

And it was. It was exciting. It was lovely. It was hard. It was emotional. It was inspiring. It was draining. It was everything I had hoped it could be and so much more. 

I met my heroes. I fell in love. I moved to a whole other country. 

And here we are on the brink of 2012. 

The Occupy Movement is rustling. 

I have six months left at school. 

Another trip to America is on the cards. 

After that? Who knows? 

They say that 2012 was the end of the Mayan calendar

That the end of the world is nigh. 

But I choose to believe it's all about to change. 

There is a shift, a quickening, a change in the air,

And I’m not quite sure what it holds.

But I breathe, and trust, and light, and love,

And know that something’s just around the riverbend.

Because something’s coming. Something good. 

Could be. Hold still.

This is the beginning. 

Do You Hear the People Sing?

This is the beginning 

Of the beginning

Or so they say

But there’s definitely a rumble and a stir

A change in the air that says

Something’s coming, something good

As people of all ages and backgrounds 

Gather to demand something different 

A change in the way things are run

They converge in city squares 

And in front of financial institutions

They bring tents 

And attempt to give voice to everyone present

They even occupy empty bank buildings

Reclaiming the space for the public

To say alright! We’ve had enough! 

We’re sick and tired of a world 

Governed in a way that is  

Unsustainable, unhealthy, unjust

As Matt Taibbi’s friend says, 

f*#! this shit! 

And it’s not just America.

It’s Egypt and Tunisia and Libya and Bahrain and Syria and Yemen and Algeria and Iraq and Jordan and Morocco and Oman and Kuwait and Lebanon and Mauritania and Saudi Arabia and Sudan and Western Sahara and South Africa and Spain and Greece and France and Germany and Portugal and England and Ireland and Scotland and Canada and Argentina and Mexico and Brazil and Hong Kong and Malaysia and Australia and New Zealand and the list goes on and on...

And as the protests grow and refuse to be catergorized

Refuse to be silenced

The police show up in ever increasing numbers

With riot gear and pepper spray

And the right-wing politicians tell those damned hippies to go home and take a shower

At the end of the day

What are we fighting for?

Police v. protestors v. politicians v. presidents v. prime ministers v. people

Whatever costume you’re wearing

It’s all people fighting people fighting people

As twenty-something Kate Monster asks,

Why can’t people love each other and get along Christmas Eve? 

I hope this is a chance for change

For the system to be made accountable

To create a world that is 

Sustainable, healthy, just

We have to believe something better is possible 

Or we will never even be able to attempt to create it