Global Village Voice

Or “What I Learned From Proposition 8″

I used to be an activist. In the third grade, I was incensed by the soccer players at recess who trampled the daffodils peeking their heads up through the dirty snow. I lobbied and lobbied and finally got the school to put up a little wire fence around the garden. I bullied my classmates who bullied other kids. In high school, I was going to single-handedly save the rainforest, protect the whales and end nuclear proliferation. My first bumper sticker said, “If You’re Not Outraged, You’re Not Paying Attention.” By the time I got to college I was burned out. I couldn’t raise the fire that I needed to march on the administration building or on the St. Paul capital.

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Posted under Activism, Personal Growth

The time between Thanksgiving and New Years can be a whirlwind of activity, when shopping trips take three times as long as usual and every joyful cookie exchange means an extra hour or two in the kitchen.  Mindfully choosing your activities can keep you grounded in the moment, but to truly enjoy the holiday (or any) season, you also need to create space for…nothing.  When was the last time you turned off the television, turned off the list making in your brain, and simply sat on your couch?

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Posted under Personal Growth

Did you ever try to remember details about past holidays and find that they all blur together?   When I noticed this, I realized it was partly because my family celebrated exactly the same way every year.   More importantly, I recognized my tendency to become less mindful as I got caught up in the busyness and activities of the season.  I seemed to go into ‘auto-pilot’ mode where I let myself be swept away by the tide of traditions and family expectations.  

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Posted under Personal Growth