Pressure Points

So many people feel so overwhelmed and disempowered by the stresses of modern life that they convince themselves they can’t make a difference. So they don’t even try. They bury their talents in the ground and let their spirits wither on the vine of life. I hope they will bestir themselves at least to say every day as an anonymous old man did: “I don’t have the answers, life is not easy, but my heart is in the right place.”

– Marian Wright Edelman
Guide My Feet

There are so many problems in the world – there always has been and always will. It’s true we can’t change everything, but if everyone finds that one thing that pulls on them and pursues justice in that with a passion that transcends any obstacle, then we can find, we will see, that the good on this earth can outweigh the bad.

It’s funny the way things work out. Jessica, Amanda and I were having our time together this morning and (of course) discussing our future plans. We all know what we want to do, but not where or how we can do it. The beautiful thing is, all our dreams our perfectly compatible to a commune living situation. Shoffy can have her garden and her and Amanda can put their ideas about sustainable farming to work. Amanda can do baking and farmer’s market. We can be a completely faith-based sustainable, green community; sewing, baking, making soap, etc AND we would love and teach people. I would write, but what I really want to do is have foster kids and do workshops that help youth express themselves and their identities.  

The funny thing is, the assurance that I received while on a bus leaving Poland to go back to Prague in November 06. When studying abroad, I really wanted to meet someone, get married and live in Europe. But while on the bus, I “realized” that my place was in America, playing music and working with youth. Youth? I’m not the most extroverted person…that’s just not me. Here I am though, in America, brainstorming with Amanda and Shoffy this amazing vision which has a perfection and feeling of rightness that surely could only mean that we’re on exactly the right path.

Now for a mission to bring this vision to reality! What do we have to lose?