So I flew into Austin Wednesday night from Seattle. The air lifted me as I took off. And as I landed here, I found I haven't yet touched the ground. You think I’m describing that seriously fine feeling of power, force, and speed on takeoff? Or that thud, squeal, brake, screech, ping, you can unfasten your seatbelts, we have arrived adrenaline rush on landing, MD-80 style, Texas-style? Nah. I’m talking about the rarified atmosphere surrounding the person who can afford to fly. One who flies. I’m not referring to the departure from the airport, or the release of the plane from earth as it catapults into the sky. I’m remarking on buoyance of spirit. I just realized I have set anchor too long.
Each choice, each responsibility, each task we take on has a density, a weight. For me, it’s a mental weight – I procrastinate; that decision not made because of daily shifting priorities turns into the monster in the closet, under the bed, an adult night terror left unexamined because the minimum effort to kill the priority is overwhelming. Far, far more attractive things call out. Paying that bill instead of this one. Eating instead of car repair. You understand. The necessities are rattling cans on a string tacked to our asses. Release the noisiest debris and accumulate more.
I have been given a gift and through all the expressed frustration, sadness, near-despair, angst, anger (indeed), in the progressive blogosphere – here at Netroots Nation, and out there, where everyone else is, I ‘ll confirm as an aside that there is no more generous a group of people than this community and those in Democracy for America. If not for this community and the offer of a funded ticket to Austin, I would easily have forgotten the world outside the continuously swirling snowglobe I inhabit. I might not have remembered there were like-minded folks who actually exist behind some of these more obscure usernames (this is subtle and random reference to the fact that nobody knows what the f**k my username means). With the naïve rapture of a baby, I assure you there is heart and soul and so much more behind UIDs such as claude, OPOL, Daniel, PaintyKat, asimbagirl, dadanation, Land of Enchantment, trashablanca, cedwyn, jotter, ben masel, ctliberal, Dreaming of Better Days, Got a Grip, srkp23, occams hatchet, paradox, Lithium Cola,...too many to list. Faces and bodies, too. Imagine that.
In this rarified air of Austin, my eyes open wider, I breath a bit deeper. I do have wings. I’d forgotten. And now, just this moment, I recall that action and progress often doesn’t happen in times when people believe they are wholly content with life.
Yes, Aunt G, you were right. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. In fact, it makes you progressive.
Buy some flowers – bypass the paper products aisle just for today. Rearrange those essential priorities, even if you think you cannot afford it. Donate to your compulsion for just a moment (and that may be a candidate or a cause.) The spirit is fed and the nourishment is so fine.
Thank you, Dailykos community and DFA, for the scholarship opportunity you’ve given me.