redefining patriotism, part 2

Remember: If we allow ourselves to fall into fatalism, or wallow in disappointment, or become resigned to what is rather than what should be, we will lose the long game. The greatest enemy of positive social change is cynicism about what can be changed. -Robert Reich

in this current age, we must allow ourselves to imagine the future: not from a place of fear and existential dread, but through the abundant creative mind of our inner child. & then, we must take steps to turn thoughts into actions, to solidify a future we can all be proud to have co-created.

as it is, the world seems to be collectively holding its breath. which way is everything going to go, in these uncertain times?

all we have is this moment, right now. the past is gone. the future is uncertain.

positive social change is possible. it greatly depends upon what we choose to do with the now moment.

if we give up before we’ve achieved the changes we want to see in the world, then they won’t happen … but we don’t have to do it alone.

we must not allow ourselves to be overwhelmed. we must regulate our nervous systems, so that we can make better decisions toward a future we deserve, not the one they are trying to hand us. we deserve better than table scraps.

we deserve to feel proud to be an american, something i have not felt since i was a young child. however, i still believe it to be possible. in order to foster a sense of national pride, there are changes we need to make.

in an effort to help facilitate change, i have put together a survey to gather feedback towards the endeavor of redefining patriotism. i know it is a lofty goal that will take a lot of work, and i certainly can’t do it alone. but it’s important, so let’s gooo~

hello stardust .𖥔 ݁ ˖ִ ࣪𖤐

wow. since the time that last post was written, a lot has happened. whew. these monologues at the end of my posts have become my lil "real talk corner"—a space where i share personal thoughts, because i believe it's important to connect with the reader.

this is so you know i'm human, just like you. and maybe, through that connection, we all feel a little less alone, and a little more okay being our authentic selves. with that in mind, since that last post, my entire world has been thrown off its axis. that might sound dramatic, but to me, it feels true.

i thought everything was going one way and then—bam—life sidelined me. i went home to kansas city from tennessee, expecting things to be the same as when i left. instead, i faced betrayals out of left field, and slipped into isolation-mode.

instead of running my booth, i dropped out to avoid confrontation, letting others take my place. i stayed home instead of going to the social gatherings i'd been so excited about. that excitement turned into hurt, then apathy. so i retreated inward and focused on myself.

aside from a couple things for peaceworks kc, i dedicated my time to healing. i worked on continuing education credits for massage therapy and got my massage license. i wrote poetry, took long baths, made art, cleaned, organized, and said "fuck you" to the outside world.

then i drove my daughter back to her dad’s, where she started middle school, and returned to indiana to begin again. now, i live on a farm, exchanging work for room and board. i’ll do massage therapy a couple days a week for supplemental income. and if things stay peaceful here, i can finally focus on piecing my life together.

in all the chaos and new beginnings this year has brought, i've craved stability. and now, since i've had a moment of fucking peace, i've built a schedule for myself, since the mountain i must climb—the biggest obstacle in my life—is the audhd.

& even though i've had to cut off most of the people in my life... even though my friends are few and far between... even though my life looks nothing like i imagined a year ago... well, here's to starting over and doing it right this time. i no longer care about those wishing on my downfall. boo-hoo, i've cried about it. now i'm climbing this fucking mountain—and i'm gonna enjoy the view on my way to the top. ( ˘͈ ᵕ ˘͈♡)


                                                                            until next time,

                                                                                          willow silverayne
                                                                                                (they/them)