40 Day Growth Spurt

I have really been struggling lately with dissatisfaction with where I am in life and feeling unable to make things happen.  As I'm fast approaching 30 I am unemployed, living with my mom, in debt, single, and can't seem to get myself to where I want to be.  Any of these circumstances on their own is certainly no crisis, it is the concurrent mockery that gets me down.  It really comes down to feeling like I'm not contributing anything meaningful.  And also that this is the first time in my life I have set a goal, actively sought to make it happen, and failed.  I have focused a lot of effort the past year on appreciating what I have in my life right now and taking advantage of the opportunities before me each day.  There is no lack of things for which I am grateful: spending time with my family, exploring new territory in the U.S., being in the mountains (the most immediate and sure-fire way to replenish my soul), developing new friendships, enjoying Colorado's micro-brews, enriching my yoga practice...

But my spirit is restless, challenging me to something more.  I have had moments of intense mourning for the people I have loved and lost, and since I identify very strongly with ontologies wherein a individual dies but remains present in our lives (my favorite term for this presence is "shades") I am compelled that there is something I need to learn from them.  Since I have been meditating on their lives and our relationships I have had a couple revelations.  Some of them not so easy to come to terms with, but valuable nuggets of wisdom none-the-less.  And I know there is more.  And I believe that these lessons will help lay the path to a more meaningful life both now and in the future. 

So, with the intention to ground, push, lift, and expand myself into all the possibilities this life has to offer I have set the following challenges for myself (adapted from my friends 30 day mindset detox).  It begins NOW!

For 40 days I will:

• Drink lots of water every day (at least 64 oz, including 2 glasses first thing in the morning).

• Take a 30 min walk every morning.

• Begin a "turn the world upside down" photo journal.  This entails getting a picture of myself glimpsing the world upside down every day.  Yes, it is totally silly.  I need more silly in my life.  But it's also about discovering a new perspective.

• Do yoga, swim, run, hike or other exercise at least 5 days a week.

• Work in the garden at least 4 days a week.

• Avoid animal flesh.  The exceptions will be fish in general, or meat cooked in family meals at home.  I would say no meat at all, but that would isolate me from my family when we share meals and that would be negative for my own growth and theirs!

• Not drink alcohol.

• Read something uplifting and empowering everyday.

• Write down what or who I am grateful for everyday.

• Not watch tv/movies/series (unless it’s something outrageously inspiring or educational).

• Meditate for at least 30 min. every day.

• Write down 10 wins (any accomplishment, big or small) for the day, everyday.

• Write down I AM statements: anything that I am, that I'd like to continue to be, or be more of, or anything that I am currently not expressing in my life that I would like to become.  Then strive to BE.

• Practice random acts of kindness everyday.  This means intentionally seeking out and seizing opportunities to share a joyful moment with strangers and loved ones. 

• Complete the first draft of 1 article for ASnA and at least begin outlining a second for African Conflict and Peacebuilding Review.

• Develop and deepen relationships.  Reach out to old friends whom I have not been good at keeping in touch with.  Share more of myself with those whom I'm close to.

• Do something that scares me. 

• One more which I will talk about if you ask me (helping me to satisfy the previous goal).

Change is in the air

The winds of change in the U.S. are blowing around the budget proposals in Congress.  Everybody wants the government to bring spending under control, but nobody wants to loose access to the government funded programs that we value.  Everyone cannot be appeased, but everyone should speak up for what they think the best decisions are.  Congress is a representative of the people, there to make decisions for the country on our behalf, which means we have a responsibility to express our needs and wants to them.  Believe it or not, it's pretty easy to do!

Being informed is the best first step.  Below, I have pulled some numbers from Obama's proposal for each department.  I encourage you to look at the full document.  Each section begins with bulleted highlights of what that money would be used for, so it doesn't necessarily require extensive reading.  Obviously, the GOP proposals are VERY different.  There is heavy debate going on, and everything from NPR to fighter jets to NASA to Pell Grants is on the chopping block.  You can follow the progress of certain amendments highlighted in the New York Times.

The numbers below are meant to provide an overview of expenditures.  How does it compare with how you think our money should be used?  It's easy to say what shouldn't get cut, but cuts are being made so it is most productive to identify where to make them.  Since we all have different interests and are impacted in different ways (as teachers, social workers, entrepreneurs, students, homeowners, parents, etc, etc), I invite you to share your ideas.

Once you've identified what you'd like to fight for, and what you think should be sliced and diced, then visit Congress.org.  All you have to do is enter your zip code and it'll tell you who your representatives are.  From there you can either contact them through the Congress.org website, or follow the link to the individual's website and access their contact form.  Tell them what you think!  It is their job to listen!

Personally, I'm a big advocate of participation, so as long as you take action, whatever your opinion is, I'm happy.  Debate is a useful tool for developing and testing opinions, which is why I've asked for you to share your thoughts.  If you've seen my recent Facebook posts, you know that I find it disturbing that our biggest budget item (by hundreds of billions of dollars!) is the Dept. of Defense.  I don't think that investing in the nuclear weapons complex, weapons delivery systems and fighter jets makes us, or anyone else in the world, safer or more free.  I'm not suggesting that medical care for servicemembers should be cut, I am suggesting that we wouldn't have thousands of soldiers coming home with traumatic brain injuries if we weren't involved in violent conflict (and gearing up for more in the future).  National security, in my opinion, means investing in the wellbeing of the American public (meaning health, education, a safe and comfortable standard of living, innovation...) and using our resources to invest in the wellbeing of other nations.  Why should we care about the wellbeing of other nations?  Becuase we need them!  Each of us does business with the world at large every single day as we buy gas, food, electronics, clothes, etc.  And since I believe in responsible business practices (as opposed to exploitation or oppression), that means spending/investing money in ways that has a positive impact on the people with whom we do business.  Now THAT would make the world a safer place.

Obama's 2011/12 Budget Proposal

A New Peacebuilding Tool

How much did you pay for your cell phone?
How much do you spend each month on the plan to make calls, send texts, and use data?
If you knew that $12.50 could help promote sustained peace in a county at a strategic point in transitioning from a long civil war, would you give it?
If you're on a tight budget (like me) would you sacrifice a meal out at a restaurant, or a cheap new shirt, or a couple of beers, to be able to make that donation? How much is peace in a tiny African country worth?

As many of you know, I did field work for my thesis in Rwanda. The histories of Rwanda and Burundi are tightly knit, and therefore so is their present. In fact, just as no man is an island, so is no county isolated. The politics of each country in the Great Lakes region of Africa reflect and impose upon each other, and those processes and relationships extend even further to the Great Lakes of America. How so? Because we in America (and Europe and Asia) are completely dependent on technology, and a great number of the resources we utilize to produce that technology come out of central Africa. But I don't actually want to pursue this argument. I recognize that there is something in human nature that compels us to want to get something for that which we give. But must we get a 'clean' iphone in exchange for supporting peace in Burundi? Not that I don't want responsible corporations, but is that the only compelling argument? Does the security of fellow human beings hold any weight? Is it worth $12.50? That's certainly a lot less than we might spend on a military or humanitarian operation should violence break out.... But enough with the guilt, what am I on about?

Healing and Rebuilding Our Communities is a trauma healing project which is pursuing an off-shoot project in response to the current elections taking place in Burundi. Since this is the first elections to take place in Burundi since a peace accord was signed in 2008, it is a volatile time in which many fear people will resort to violence to ensure whatever outcome they think is best. Many people feel that who is in office directly affects their daily existence, maybe even their lives, so a lot is at stake. As a result, things can get out of hand pretty quickly, rumors in particular being a fiendish culprit. So, after assessing what areas might be most prone to violence, HROC followed up the original workshop with trainings directly about community building in order to promote networks of support and to influence good communication. Along these lines, they are also training observers in each of the selected areas who will communicate with one another and with HROC 'headquarters' with cell phones. Having this rapid communication available to them makes it possible to stay informed about what is (or isn't) happening on the ground, which observers can also relay to their communities. How often have you felt comforted just KNOWING the details of what is happening? Communication is so important to sustaining healthy relationships!

There's one problem: the observers need cell phones! Few people in Burundi have the disposable income to purchase a cell phone, even when it only costs $12.50. Fortunately, lots of people with access to an extra $12.50 often find themselves wondering how it's possible to make a difference in a country like, say...Burundi, with the lowest per capita GDP in the world and which has essentially experienced decades of civil war. This is a fantastic opportunity! $12.50 puts the power in the hands of one observer, and his/her community, to actively build peace through good communication in a time of fear and questioning. We need to support more projects which use alternatives to guns, bombs and threats; which actively utilize peaceful means to peaceful ends and a more holistic concept of security.

You can learn more about Burundi, the elections, and this project from Andrew and Rich.
You can join the cause on facebook and make donations here.