June 25
One of the finer things in my life is participating in the Minneapolis Voices for Peace. I had my first practice since returning to the land of the brave tonight, and I when I walked in, all the ladies applauded me. Diversity is such a beautiful thing, because we grow unevenly... some of us grow in one dimension and some in another. I love singing beautiful songs about peace, with women who can't carry a tune, women who can't hear much, women without much of the memories left, because the women in the Minneapolis Voices for Peace have taught me that life goes on until we breathe our dying breath. They continue to fight for what matters, and force their voices to be heard. They make me excited for what is to come, and they always give me hope. I am proud to be a part of them, and they also make me proud to be a part of this humanity, and this world.
June 23
To that mute man living in Kolkata,
You inspired me, brother. Your smile, and your outlook will stay with me forever because it changed who I am and who I am becoming. I've never been accepted by someone so quickly, nor have I ever met someone so joyful as you. You seem to feel the tug of life, and while I was with you, I wondered how it is possible that you and I are the same species. I want you to know that I have this idea that you have this incredibly important purpose, which is to bring that out-of-this-world joy to your city, and all of the people in it. I believe you have changed the world, are changing the world, and will change the world. Ironically, I never heard you speak anything with my ears, but you have spoken volumes into my life. Keep smiling, brother.
You inspired me, brother. Your smile, and your outlook will stay with me forever because it changed who I am and who I am becoming. I've never been accepted by someone so quickly, nor have I ever met someone so joyful as you. You seem to feel the tug of life, and while I was with you, I wondered how it is possible that you and I are the same species. I want you to know that I have this idea that you have this incredibly important purpose, which is to bring that out-of-this-world joy to your city, and all of the people in it. I believe you have changed the world, are changing the world, and will change the world. Ironically, I never heard you speak anything with my ears, but you have spoken volumes into my life. Keep smiling, brother.
June 18
Inspiration.
This exalting influence.... when you walk away from an interaction with a new spirit. Spirit to change, and to make yourself better because of who you have talked to, what you have seen, the things you have heard, tasted or touched. It feels good. It is like a new breath, it keeps you unsatisfied with what you have, and forces you to desire more.
I find myself inspired by the strangest people. People like my friend Pabi, below. I was inspired by a mute man's smile once, it was really simple, but it changed some things for me. I am inspired by my favorite Indian boys, the way they love school, the way they have fun, and especially the way they love. I am inspired by my family, and the way they make me and other people laugh. I am inspired by laughter, and the thoughts and the ideas of others. I can be inspired by paintings, and especially photographs.
Danna Amma, and her bravery and faith that one day, things will be better.
Eleanor Roosevelt, and all of her ideas.
Violins.
People who know everything will be OK.
Maya didi, a woman who truly lives and loves for others.
Zach, and the joy he brings to everyone.
Hard workers, from anything to construction to office work.
People who bring out the best in others.
So You Think You Can Dance.
Holding hands.
Dancing in Africa.
This exalting influence.... when you walk away from an interaction with a new spirit. Spirit to change, and to make yourself better because of who you have talked to, what you have seen, the things you have heard, tasted or touched. It feels good. It is like a new breath, it keeps you unsatisfied with what you have, and forces you to desire more.
I find myself inspired by the strangest people. People like my friend Pabi, below. I was inspired by a mute man's smile once, it was really simple, but it changed some things for me. I am inspired by my favorite Indian boys, the way they love school, the way they have fun, and especially the way they love. I am inspired by my family, and the way they make me and other people laugh. I am inspired by laughter, and the thoughts and the ideas of others. I can be inspired by paintings, and especially photographs.
Danna Amma, and her bravery and faith that one day, things will be better.
Eleanor Roosevelt, and all of her ideas.
Violins.
People who know everything will be OK.
Maya didi, a woman who truly lives and loves for others.
Zach, and the joy he brings to everyone.
Hard workers, from anything to construction to office work.
People who bring out the best in others.
So You Think You Can Dance.
Holding hands.
Dancing in Africa.
June 14
Dear friend,
You are a teacher to me, and a teacher to the world. You are full of grace and sweetness. You are teachable and thirsty. You have been an amazing friend, and I am always encouraged when you are excited for me to come and be with you. You have such a kind spirit and a soft presence. You are not intimidating and it is easy for me to feel comfortable to be who I am around you. I think you offer that to all your friends you live with. I hope you dream, Pabi. I hope you imagine yourself doing great things, and going great places. I hope you don't think too much about your disabled body, and I hope you love yourself a lot. You were meant for amazing things. Thanks for being my friend, I love you and I'll never, ever forget you.
June 08
I am back among the Americans: the beautiful and harder-to-love Americans.
When our plane left Kathmandu, I looked out the window, at my favorite city on the planet and let myself cry really hard, and it felt really good. It is good to be back here though, trying to find a way of living in the United States that could honor my tea-serving, dahl bhat-preparing, beautiful, beautiful friends back in Nepal. I was thinking about things on the plane, which turns out, is a good place to think. (However it is a little bit harder to think when the man sitting in front of you is trying to convince you to marry his son, and saying things like, "Try my son, and you may have a chance... just try him.") I was thinking about how to tell my friends and family here about my friends and family in Kathmandu. I was thinking about how impossible it would be for me to try to explain in words what these people mean to me, and what spending 4 months with them was like.
It seems like it would be too much to say- too much to try and explain but I have discovered that the reason the explanations seem impossible is because it is too little to try and explain. I spent for months mostly just, sitting, and I did tons of laughing everyday. I sat, and I laughed and I talked with people. I have no idea why it was so sweet, I just know that it was.
I can do that same exact thing here, but for some reason, I realized it more and seized in more in Nepal. I will do that exact same thing here, until I get back there.
When our plane left Kathmandu, I looked out the window, at my favorite city on the planet and let myself cry really hard, and it felt really good. It is good to be back here though, trying to find a way of living in the United States that could honor my tea-serving, dahl bhat-preparing, beautiful, beautiful friends back in Nepal. I was thinking about things on the plane, which turns out, is a good place to think. (However it is a little bit harder to think when the man sitting in front of you is trying to convince you to marry his son, and saying things like, "Try my son, and you may have a chance... just try him.") I was thinking about how to tell my friends and family here about my friends and family in Kathmandu. I was thinking about how impossible it would be for me to try to explain in words what these people mean to me, and what spending 4 months with them was like.
It seems like it would be too much to say- too much to try and explain but I have discovered that the reason the explanations seem impossible is because it is too little to try and explain. I spent for months mostly just, sitting, and I did tons of laughing everyday. I sat, and I laughed and I talked with people. I have no idea why it was so sweet, I just know that it was.
I can do that same exact thing here, but for some reason, I realized it more and seized in more in Nepal. I will do that exact same thing here, until I get back there.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)