PURPOSE is my New Favorite Color

My intelligence has never relied on your accreditation. I play dumb with some of you because I know you take my silly-heart perspective of the world as a weakness of mine. The funny thing about all of this is that you still rely on me to help you find your smile when it’s lost. I’d probably even help you find your lost dog, a missing set of keys or a better job opportunity too. My silly heart accepts the fact that we’re all lost from time to time, regardless of our I.Q.’s. An ounce of compassion can humble even the most unconvinced smarty-pants in the room, especially when their brain finally steps out of the way of their heart.

Lately with all of the poor political insults being thrown around, it’s made me realize how weak and afraid everyone seems to be of each other. If there are any moderate politicians left in the arena, they certainly aren’t speaking up to the right people or saying anything at all. Americans will not prosper if one side completely eviscerates the other, this is just a cold hard fact. What sucks even more is that there are a lot of us slumping on the sidelines, spewing commentary and pretending it makes an impact. When really we're just being as ineffective as the next guy, regardless of our point of view.

On a truly personal note... I can tell you that it nearly enrages me to think that we have to choose a political affiliation in order to soundly protect our environment. It nearly enrages me to think that neither side of the political spectrum makes education a top priority, coming in second behind our environment. It nearly enrages me that not only does our healthcare belong to those with great wealth, but the wealthy won’t even foot the bill for our veterans - our heroes. It nearly enrages me to know how some Americans are so naive, they truly believe that other Americans will successfully do the challenging work that our immigrants are grateful to do here in this country.

These are only some of the ideas and misconceptions of the truly detached people we have running our country. If there were only a way to collectively exercise our brains and educate our hearts better as a whole population, I would demand it be implemented. Our social progress is instrumental to the longevity of our country and telling certain Americans that they’re less important just isn’t going to cut it anymore. We’re too informed for that bullshit.

A good friend of mine had said that we might not be able to change the system, but we can definitely change who it is that we’re nominating to vote for - and that’s something I really want ALL of us to understand. Our political opinions derive from our social circles and yet we still willingly let the wrong people represent us. I’ve been reading articles about how our elected officials are cancelling events just to avoid questions from the people they are supposed to be representing - IF YOU CAN’T DO THIS JOB THEN YOU NEED TO RESIGN.

Honestly depending on who you ask we probably all have a murky reputation, at best. I know I do, but I’m starting to really realize some things about this place. The actual “American” is a flawed individual with a fearfully selective heart and a strong misguided propensity to feed their own pride. We aren’t broken, but we are suffering from an ever evolving identity crisis and we need people with just enough brains in their head, just enough heart in their chest and just enough sense in their soul who are willing to govern us through these very complex times.

Last week I had a lot of response in regards to finding the different ways we can make an impact. I heard from people with different backgrounds and political opinions, but the one unanimous notion that came across was a genuine desire to be more involved. People shared with me how much they really cared and how they didn’t want to be helpless with their involvement. A lot of people asked me what they should do, like specifically, and that really caught me off-guard.

I , just like you, sometimes spout off without realizing the power of my words. I’m just more of an idiot about it because I write them all out and publish them for the world to read. Which I guess means if I want to make a difference, I better become more responsible for the things I do say here on this blog - and maybe just life in general. This is our awakening… or at the very least, it’s mine. There are great call-to-action movements, petition signings and educational pages via Facebook (links at bottom) that make for a simple start, but there’s clearly more work to be done.

My fiance and I are relocating in a couple of months (not far, but to a new county and city) and we’ve already begun researching different conservation efforts in the area. We’ve also contacted the local farmers market and the center for women in transition in regards to volunteer opportunities. We’re going to create relationships with our new community, listen to others and be a part of what people are actually saying and feeling out there.

In my eyes the only way to ignite a grassroots approach is by being neighborly as fuck, but not nosey. We have to invite people to our ideas and welcome theirs when they bring them along too. We have to create environments that people gravitate towards. The kind of environments capable of inspiring and motivating any willing walks of life. We won’t be seeking out anyone else’s influence, but merely combining all of our own. Music, food and the arts are all interpretations of the imperfect world around us. These are what brings that very simple human part of us together and celebrating them locally is just another way we’ll make an impact.

Urban Roots Community Farm and Education Center - Grand Rapids, MI

We just have to fill in the blanks with a little less Netflix and little more love for where we live. We have to meet with people in our communities and consider the fact that some of them are going to represent us (or maybe even that we might be representing them). We can no longer blindly accept that someone else is doing enough to protect our interests. If we care enough to have outspoken opinions, then we sure as hell should make them count!! Of course another crucial aspect is understanding the who’s, what’s, when’s, where’s, why’s and how’s of our government and of course the people willing to teach others this too, but I digress. One step at a time.

I do really wish this was just as easy as opening an app on your phone and swiping twice to be involved, but for now we have got to do the extra work. As for my fiance and I, we’re still going to plant a garden to feed our neighbors, our friends and ourselves - whatever is left will go to the food bank. We’re still going to go fishing, hiking, swimming and camping because that’s what really recharges our “batteries” in this world. We’re still going to entertain and continue on partying with a purpose…. We’re just going to start throwing a bigger party.

-Scotty J-

CHECKOUT THESE LINKS:

Indivisible - "A non-political initiative energizing and informing Americans about the value of potential government."

Indivisible Guide - "Former congressional staffers reveal practices for making congress listen."

Daily Action - "Resisting extremism in America, one phone call at a time."

Urban Roots - "The mission of Urban Roots is to cultivate durable, resilient families, communities and ecosystems through urban agriculture" (Located in Grand Rapids, MI)

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO GET IN TOUCH, IT'S GOING TO TAKE ALL OF US!!!