The Revolution of Self-love

At a certain point, I had to ask myself, "what can I do?" I mean, the world seems to be going in a violent and oppressive direction. Many things which occur as a matter of course erodes my confidence in humanity on an almost daily basis:

• My tax dollars fund large corporations, military action in other countries (read: killing of innocent people) and funding PACs
• The amount of racism, sexism and homophobia which seems to be acceptable in this world is suffocating (read: any is unacceptable)
• The political system is completely screwed. The government is owned by corporations
• People all over the world are starving; starving for food, water, education, and opportunity
• Many people in this country are supporting a candidate for President who is as stupid as he is hateful

I am not saying that these are new developments. I know that through history, this has all been going on. I am saying, why are we no closer to eradicating these things? Why are the people of the world not rising up and collectively saying, "enough?"

Well, I know I have no power. But, as I said, at a certain point, I asked myself what I could do with the skills and abilities that I have, to help people. For over a year, I have been writing and making art about self-love, body confidence and sex positive philosophies. I have been mentoring young people, and coming up with creative ideas to communicate to people that they are not as powerless as they think. That they are not as worthless as the media and The Man would have them believe. That everything they have been taught about how to move through this world is to a great extent a way to keep them under control.

So far, I think I have been pretty effective at starting that conversation.

I believe, more than anything, in the ability of humans to rise above. I believe that if people are given the opportunity, they will do the right thing. The problem is, people in this country have been brainwashed into believing that they are not exceptional. That being normal is something to strive for. That fitting in is most important. I want to encourage people to stand out, and further, encourage others to support that.

Right now, so many people believe that being "normal" is the goal, and this creates and angry and sometimes violent reaction in them when others have the nerve to stand out or be different. Because they have allowed themselves to be beaten down into normalcy, they take it upon themselves to beat others down. It is a sickness that must stop. We must stop beating each other down. We must take our own experiences with mind control and turn it around. We must be strong in the face of this ridiculous oppression. There is simply no other way.

And this, I now ask of you: celebrate the people you know who are taking risks. Share THIS news on FB or Twitter or whatever the kids are doing these days. Celebrate the people who are willing to take a stand for humans. It is clear that there is nothing I can do about our twisted government or the oppressive nature of international dynamics. But I can inspire people to love themselves in simple ways, so that is what I do. I tell people in no uncertain terms that if I could do it, if I can struggle every day with my demons and get to a place of love, that surely there is hope for them. 

I tell people that if I can open my heart after the heartbreak, they can too. If I can forgive the hateful and abusive nature of some of the misguided individuals I have come into contact with, they can too. And finally, if I can find the courage to openly love my body, and write about how that affects every part of my life in crazy beneficial ways, then yes, they might be able to find the courage to work on that themselves.

I beleive that as a group, humans are not realizing our potential due to the fact that a small group of people for so long have needed control for whatever reason. I know that on a certain level, I cannot be free; I will always have to operate within a system whereby the fruits of my labor go to kill people in other lands. I know that my source of income will most likely stay the same as the cost of living rises, making my life smaller and smaller in some ways. But, I also know that there is one place where I can have absolute power, and that is how I feel about myself. This is where I draw the line. I refuse to let the government, the media, The Man, or the people around me dictate how much love and respect I will give to myself. I acknowledge that it is a brainwashed system, and many people do not realize the damage they do, but this fact does not in any way matter to me.

I am the most important person in the world to me, and while I have to do many things that make me profoundly conflicted, there is one thing I will not feel conflicted about; how truly lovely I am, and how truly lovely humans are. I will always keep my faith that people will be better, that people will improve, if they can wake up to their greatness and manage to shut out so much of what tells them otherwise. 

Yes, I have been worried lately about humans. I have moments where my faith feels shaken. But then I remember. It really just takes one. If I can be the change I wish to see in the world, if I can keep my integrity and speak out against the bullshit that is dividing us, then surely, my actions might influence others to do the same thing.

Lots of people want to get behind politicians who seek to change the system, and I think that is fine, but a more profound way to change the system is to change the people which the system seeks to control. Show them their light. Show them their potential. Encourage their growth. Demonstrate that even within a system which seeks to control them, they can be free.

How much are we willing to do to save ourselves and each other? That is the revolution I want to be a part of. That is the revolution that I see as having the potential to change everything.

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Share please. Also, this week I hope to launch my Kickstarter project for my Love Yo'Self Coloring book. I will letcha know when that becomes a thing.