This just makes me sick:

I really felt sick to my stomach when I read this:

"It wasn't just one cop attacking Oscar Grant on New Year's Eve. A new video shows that before Grant was killed, officer Tony Pirone punched him in the face without cause, hitting him so hard that he dropped to the ground. Experts have called it criminal. So why has the District Attorney said he's not pursuing charges?"
-James Rucker, ColorOfChange.org, 01/28/2009

Please sign this petition to have your voice heard in this matter:
http://www.colorofchange.org/grant/?id=1875-707419

If this isn't a glaring example that our tax dollars need to be redirected away from wars and towards real, longterm solutions and investments (like education), I don't know what is. We have too many issues on the homefront, that's forreal.




And this for-profit sh*t called capitalism really needs to stop.

It's time for a...

Change!

I've never in my life felt a new year start with more promise or more potential to be different from every year previous than this year. I'm sure they've happened before, but not in my 21 years.

With that potential for change comes sacrifice to realize it, and since different things need to be done to get different things to happen, I've decided to do things... well... differently. (Circular but logical, right?)

Over the past couple of days I've been analyzing my habits and comfort zones and seeing which habits work for me and which ones don't. I realized that I really need to break some of these stupid habits that really are holding me back instead of just staying comfortable. In addition to this, instead of my previously overcritical, overly self-demeaning approach to changing things about myself and breaking habits, I've found a couple that are actually indifferent and, actually, DON'T need to be changed for me to be happy. That's pretty cool!

I speak in vast generality so that you can maybe do the same for yourself and apply specificity wherever you see fit. It's gonna be a great and amazing year and there's no reason we should hold ourselves back from letting it be just that, we have enough out of our control to worry about as it is!

In hope, solidarity, advice and triumph,
Russell

"Voices for Gaza": Post-Rally Reflections

I feel pretty blank right now, no words coming to mind really, no passion spilling out on the page. Today was a lot of things, mostly synonymous to all things wonderful (all praise is due to God). Mostly gorgeous rays of beauty emanating from the unity. We* can always be better, but I think what we were today was awesome; because we put others before ourselves, because so many said "what can I do" and did what ever they could (no task was taken up with hesitation, nor viewed as miniscule or unworthy of one's time), because Gaza was in our prayers, because we cared, and above all else, we did the best we could to work together and get as many people involved as we possibly could. We dared to cross lines we hesitated to cross before, and that made this week all the more special.

I pray that we don't get caught up or sidetracked by the small matters in life, and that we always keep things in perspective; that we remain in a constant struggle to remain humble and not lose focus by becoming arrogant or prideful; that we embrace truth and stand by it; that we remain steadfast and sincere in our efforts, and that this really was an open door, an opportunity to get together, to get to know one another, and to share each other's struggles.

No step is small, we can start a movement in our own lives and lifestyles, a revolution of the mind, body and soul, we can make a difference, never underestimate the power of unity.

I'm going to go to sleep now, but I look forward to getting right back to work for next week as soon as possible.

Peace & Blessings & Love

___
*We = EVERYONE who was involved in contributing their time, efforts, money, and/or presence for raising awareness about the horrific massacre of 780 and counting civilians in Gaza, 220+ of which are children. "An injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere" - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (may he rest in peace)

Realizing how little control we have over our lives. It's a tough reality that's settling deep.

One of the hardest things I've ever dealt with is looking into the future or looking back into the past and find myself staring point blank at a question mark.

Learning to let go and drop this fear of the unknown is quite a challenge.

I realize all I can do is do. To be. All I have is now, and clinging to whims and fancies of what may be has gotten me nowhere but stressing.

It's funny how I have in so, so many instances and periods of my life, thought I knew what was ahead, or thought I knew myself. Each time, life unfolded in ways I could never have imagined or dreamed up in a million years. Each time, I found out how wrong I was in thinking I knew what was right for me, when God had other plans.

It's hard to let go of what I've always thought and clung to. but it needs to happen now.

I need to let go and move on with my life. To be in the moment, to make the most of the present.

What's going on in Gaza

Also, to better understand the situation, here is an article by Richard Faulk about the events leading up to the massacre.
http://normanfinkelstein.com/article.php?pg=11&ar=2338