We come into this world squealing, discolored, taking our first in-suck of air, and announcing “I’m here!” All else follows.

No one knows what their life will be.

As time passes and birthdays come and go, we begin to think: “When I grow up I want to be ________.”

Still, we do not know what our life will be.

More time passes. We’re expected to make certain choices. Take certain classes/apprenticeships. Narrowing the focus of our life/living.

Ready!

Set!

Go!

Some make choices that become their entire working life. Others somewhat “wander” – heading this way and that. No judgement in this. Neither way is better or worse – simply different. Each path has its own rewards and pitfalls.

Thing is – we don’t live in a vacuum. Other lives and living swirl around us, often influencing our thinking, ways of living, choices about working, taking a partner or not, etc.

Often, there comes a time when the wider world has an immediate impact on our life. For me, that time has been looming for the past several years.

To say that the past decade has been one of exhaltation and devastation would be a gross understatement. “It was the best of times and the worst of times.”

At this moment, there are leaders who spew hate, division, fear, chaos, and unending destructive narcissitic Executive Orders. The rule of law is all but dissolved and the promise of Democracy is shattered and scattered to the four winds. Smarmy minions do the bidding of this leader, either because they kissed the ring or in fear of reprisal, sucking up to apparent power like a drug.

Some may say my thoughts are radical. Some may believe I’m stepping too far out in all this. Others may say the opposite.

I say I’ve stepped back and watched enormous change over decades. I know the pendulum swings and the pendulum swings again. At this moment, there’s an existential threat that the pendulum has detached from the time piece and that that piece is being smashed almost beyond repair.

I’m a natural-born citizen of the United States of America. I’m a person of a certain age. I’ve seen leaders I loved and admired and leaders for which I have much less affection and respect. However, if I don’t take responsibilty for my given rights and the rights of others; to stand up and, with respect, voice my concerns – who am I? What am I worth as a member of this community you and I call America?

Is there some risk, some jeopardy in this – perhaps. Many who came before me took risks, stood up, spoke out, were detained, unjustly prosecuted, imprisoned, beaten, and died trying.

I live and work in a state whose motto is HOPE. I have hope and faith that this country will survive the ongoing strategies of distractions, red herrings being tossed around willy-nilly, causing constituents and countries to somewhat stagger with vertigo. I trust that enough good folks will continue to get into good trouble, hold true to the intentions of our founders, and keep up the good fight.

The radical art of living requires risk takers, reasoned and empathetic leaders, conscientious and concerned citizens who join hands, hearts, and efforts to act, to be watchful, to be the change we wish to see in our world.

Thank you for reading this far.