The Trouble With Being Awake

"I can't keep pretending that I'm still asleep..." Local Natives

I've always been an empath. But I wasn't always awake. This awareness feels like a heavy mantle when I look at the world around me, especially on days like today. I usually keep things apolitical on here, staying to bikes and training, sometimes books and music, family and friends. Today though, I am gutted. I can't let this moment pass me by without a frank and honest statement.

If I am to make any difference in the world around me, I have to let the news of the day flow over me, not through me. Fear has no place in my heart if I intend to send love out into the world as my response. I have friends who are rightfully afraid. My heart aches for them. My strength goes out to them. We are not strong if we do not share that strength. Hatred is no better founded in my actions than those of the other side. I can't hide.

This is the moment for us to be gentle-hearted activists, to care for others who live on the fringe. To give love to those who are scared. Protect those under threat.

The time has come to live our lives awake, to avoid numbness brought on by too much time worshiping our screens, excessive moments out of contact with the world around us. If we devote our energy to goodness, hopefully those vibrations will reverberate and exact real change in our communities, states, country, and world. Meet the brutal force with a torrent of empathy, beauty, kindness, love.

Go do something nice today. Take care of someone who is afraid. Drive less and walk or bike more. Let your fear drive you to seek the best things, and use your privilege for the betterment of your sphere. We can only do these things and hope our raging river of kindness manages to awaken others. Be a real gangster of love.