Every week has had a new and unique plan - a very different task or challenge. Each month offers a new place to explore, geographically and/or socially. Recently, American social spheres have been uber-focused on the Democratic and Republican National Conventions, and neither have had positive reception. Most individuals are solely focused on all of the negative in each of these arenas. Granted most of the notable news is negative, we must remember a couple of very key things. First, the negativity bred from and by the two major “presumptive” party nominees are manufactured as distractions; don’t let it get you down! Second, no matter the “winner” of this year’s presidential race, the person serving as our nation’s president doesn’t matter as much as the media shows the masses; get involved in your local communities and make REAL differences with those you can reach!
Over the last several years of traveling, whether nomadic or planned, I’ve met men and women of all different backgrounds, capabilities, and levels of ambition. There are some micro cultures that flourish and others that fizzle. And almost always the main difference is how connected the people are to EACH OTHER. Nothing separates humans more than religion and politics, both of which are largely unnecessary AND in the limelight right now. The communities that live the best lives are the ones who help each other. They help each other with rides to school, watching the kids, medical bills, or even just a smile on the walk to their neighbor’s house. Those that give a shit receive something good in return. And it won’t matter how phenomenal or atrocious our next president is; the morale of communities across America go deeper than that.
When in Portland, I witnessed about 20 people in a park surrounding a group of picnic tables, having a great old time. As I got closer to the group, I noticed that each of the people looked or acted homeless. Many dirty outfits, odd smells, and tent bags could be observed. But each person was as happy as could be. It didn’t matter to any of them who was making laws, because they were there for each other. They weren’t focused on a homeless stipend or how easy legislation made it for their soup kitchens to stay open. They were sharing what they all had scraped together and fully enjoying their lives. A few of them were snacking, and many smelled of sweet (legal Oregonian) cannabis.
Over the last several years of traveling, whether nomadic or planned, I’ve met men and women of all different backgrounds, capabilities, and levels of ambition. There are some micro cultures that flourish and others that fizzle. And almost always the main difference is how connected the people are to EACH OTHER. Nothing separates humans more than religion and politics, both of which are largely unnecessary AND in the limelight right now. The communities that live the best lives are the ones who help each other. They help each other with rides to school, watching the kids, medical bills, or even just a smile on the walk to their neighbor’s house. Those that give a shit receive something good in return. And it won’t matter how phenomenal or atrocious our next president is; the morale of communities across America go deeper than that.
When in Portland, I witnessed about 20 people in a park surrounding a group of picnic tables, having a great old time. As I got closer to the group, I noticed that each of the people looked or acted homeless. Many dirty outfits, odd smells, and tent bags could be observed. But each person was as happy as could be. It didn’t matter to any of them who was making laws, because they were there for each other. They weren’t focused on a homeless stipend or how easy legislation made it for their soup kitchens to stay open. They were sharing what they all had scraped together and fully enjoying their lives. A few of them were snacking, and many smelled of sweet (legal Oregonian) cannabis.
In Lima, many children I observed were obviously living in poverty, some in extreme poverty. The ones I would regularly see would congregate at the local skatepark and spend their downtime there. They’d share boards and tips for riding them. They’d exchange smiles, giggles and words of kindness. It was the least I could do to offer them half of whatever I brought to the skatepark, and I’d occasionally give them weathered skateboard parts before buying replacements. They had no qualms about asking for things, and no anger in being denied. They simply were living their lives in a way that didn’t need much else, support or otherwise, from outside forces. The children weren’t American, but they shared a common thread with those of other communities that I’d seen. They communicated with love instead of hate, and they were doing just fine without any strings attached.
On many visits to Florida, I’ve seen humans at skateparks, bars, and grocery stores who will never see another US state (the same applies to almost any American state). And that’s okay. Especially to them. There’s not much reason for them to test their boundaries. And those are the people most affected by their governments - those without mobility or great desire to escape. Even they are better off, from my experience, than those that focus on the negativity they can most easily attach themselves to. They create their own happiness, like from scratch, with only what is immediately around them. They don’t need much and accordingly don’t want much to live their lives.
On many visits to Florida, I’ve seen humans at skateparks, bars, and grocery stores who will never see another US state (the same applies to almost any American state). And that’s okay. Especially to them. There’s not much reason for them to test their boundaries. And those are the people most affected by their governments - those without mobility or great desire to escape. Even they are better off, from my experience, than those that focus on the negativity they can most easily attach themselves to. They create their own happiness, like from scratch, with only what is immediately around them. They don’t need much and accordingly don’t want much to live their lives.
Meanwhile, other “better off” middle to upper class Americans insist on being pissed off at their “friends” on Facebook, because they don’t approve of gay marriage or some other controversial topic that doesn’t really affect their lives. It is surprising, but not refreshing to see how many people choose to burden themselves with opinions that are hurtful to others or even to themselves. I’m not suggesting that anyone should seek to be uninformed or ignorant in the name of that bliss. But I am observing that many who choose to fight for an arbitrary stance in lieu of creating their own guide are some of the least happy and even least effective people I’ve ever met.
We each have a dream. And we each have always wanted to keep that dream alive. Are you pursuing the ideals of a political party/institution/rule book assigned to you, or are you creating your own each day? Is it hard or easy? Is it enabling growth, or is it stunting the growth of others for the sake of being "right?” Are you helping others or only yourself?
If you adopted others’ opinions & morals and then stopped, you never learned how to practice & build your own. This is not advice to ignore the presidential election, by the way. But 88% of Congress is up for re-relection, and no one seems to talking about that. By educating yourself and acting with true intention, each person is doing their part to make this place better.
It’s every day. Choose to love and to leave what’s unimportant behind.
Focus on the significant and not on what’s popular.
- 7Ply Epic
We each have a dream. And we each have always wanted to keep that dream alive. Are you pursuing the ideals of a political party/institution/rule book assigned to you, or are you creating your own each day? Is it hard or easy? Is it enabling growth, or is it stunting the growth of others for the sake of being "right?” Are you helping others or only yourself?
If you adopted others’ opinions & morals and then stopped, you never learned how to practice & build your own. This is not advice to ignore the presidential election, by the way. But 88% of Congress is up for re-relection, and no one seems to talking about that. By educating yourself and acting with true intention, each person is doing their part to make this place better.
It’s every day. Choose to love and to leave what’s unimportant behind.
Focus on the significant and not on what’s popular.
- 7Ply Epic