Also this:

The bible belt actually exists.  I drove through it in a car-full of jews. 

And I was very, very, afraid.

And then I decided, next year, I'm moving to the south.

More on this later...

...but I've been thinking a lot lately about small vs. big scale activism.  And how they need each other.  How we need people planting gardens on rooftops, but we also need people signing legislature that makes farm subsidies go to the right farmers, and that makes it impossible to buy high-emissions vehicles, with affordable alternatives, so that not only rich conscientious people buy hybrids.

I went from an apathetic to an anarchist to a democrat in about 5 months- hot damn.

Correction- I'm now an amalgamation of all three.

Ultimately, I find that again, things rest in a spot of tension between equally compelling forces.  Maybe striking that balance without being ripped to pieces is one definition of wisdom?

Reinstituting the Sabbath

I was raised by my mother to be critical of religious observances as hegemonic, and taught that conversely, spirituality is a practice that requires no discipline and no rules.  This has been liberating for me to an extent, but beyond that extent it has not served me altogether for the best.

I have made a decision to reinstitute the sabbath.  I mean, sort of.  What I mean is that from Thursday sundown to Friday sundown, I will not turn on my cell phone or my computer.  I hope this will help to combat my constant need to attend to social/organizational issues and unnecessary extroversion.  I have also noticed that checking my email is an act of grasping, of hoping someone I want to hear from has sent me something that will make me feel good.  This habit is the opposite of mindfulness, and encourages me to feel dissatisfied, always searching for stimulation(/simulation?).  I think email and cell phone are helpful, and there are many people far away from me who I love and want to connect with.  I just need to be aware of how these positive uses of technology morph into more negative habits.

No, I will not ask other people to turn on the light switch.  And I moved the day ahead by one because it suits my personal schedule, and this isn't about a god that's watching, it's about taking better care of myself.  And because I believe the intention in this is more important than extreme observance, of course I will use my cell phone and computer if I REALLY need to.  Obviamente.  But I really think that this as a mindfulness practice will be good for me.  

Also, this.