I Am Not Playing I Have a Life To Live Here
In the book Pedagogy of the Oppressed, the author, Paulo Freire, says.
Hope, however, does not exist in crossing one’s arms and waiting. As long as I fight, I am moved by hope; and if I fight with hope, then I can wait. As the encounter of men seeking to be more fully human, dialogue cannot be carried on in a climate of hopelessness.
I had a conversation tonight with someone, who probably has not read Paulo Freire’s book, but has exemplified what he was saying in her day-to-day living of her life.
It felt like I was riding a huge electrical bull from an Alien planet. It was coming hard and fast, but then, in an instant I surrendered to the communication and made a decision to have the exchange. I decided to do what my Companion Henry did so often and so well, just listen. I realized that my job was to just actively listen. To take it all in and to not react or respond until I could hear when it was time. The deeper I listened the more I found myself surrendering to all that was being said . I was rewarded with a fun exchange. I didn’t need to have answers, just questions. There was such a freedom and joy with this process.
After about fifty minutes I expressed to her what I was feeling and observing. She acknowledged what I felt and was seeing was truly happening. Then she said something that really rang true for me.
“ I am not playing. I have a life to life here”.
Wow, what a wonderful way of looking at life. I could feel the truth in her words and why I call her the Bull. In truth she is playing. Play is a part of life. What I sense she was really saying was, “I am not messing around”. I am working and learning and have a deep desire to find the fulfillment in my life. It made realize that people around us, governments, corporations, families and educational systems, are not trying to encourage one to live a life. It’s more about survival, compliance and the new one sustainability. I realized that my companion (wouldn’t have called her that when we first started the conversation) has been reaching for some time for a life beyond all of creations traps and tricks.
The American dream is something that we have all been told to pursue and after chasing it we are seeing the assassins killing it off one by one. People are occupying Wall Street, marching against government, all in trying to shift their bank accounts back into a positive flow. None of this will bring them the fulfillment or life they desire. It won’t stop the foreclosures of homes built with Loot. The All is calling for payment on principle. For greater embracing of change. My companion told me a little story about when she was desirous of more life flow. She acknowledged the desire and put Mickey Mouse in her heart for 3 days and things happened that amazed her.
Hope has to be worked, along with trust and as my companion expressed tonight, with the recognition that each of us has a life to live here. No one is going to give that to us, each individual has to fight to obtain it. Freedom comes at a price. Are you willing to pay?
Things I learned from tonight’s phone call.
First, surrender is important to learning
Second, similar to fresh baked bread, you have to see people new in the moment, especially if change has occurred. Reflecting on history is a waste of time and energy.
Thirdly, patience and listening are key to life’s adventure.
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