We live in a land of reinvention.

It occurred to me early this morning while in the midst of a workout at
my local gym.

I looked up at the concrete beams in the ceiling and remembered hearing
over and over again the words...this used to be...and then I remembered
that I too, live in a re-purposed building - I live in what used to be
ladies lingerie - or so I am told...

I am used to land and space - from vast acreage to smaller more
intimate gardens of my own creation.  And never did I anticipate how
this life as an urban cliff dweller would take hold of me.  I love the
proximity to everything and yes, I am even learning to fully embrace
all that this neighborhood is.  There are truly days when life here feels
as though you are living in the midst of a modern day Victor Hugo novel -
the juxtaposition of abundance, abject poverty and sometimes a
dash of madness thrown in for good measure. This used to be
a different kind of town...


It may have been decades ago while living at UFW headquarters that I
truly comprehended that true change comes from the bottom up.  Was it
the traveling to the growing fields to try to educate people to help
themselves?  Was it conversing with Caesar Chavez and learning of his
quiet determination and will?  Maybe it was sitting in on the meeting
with all the UFW  national organizers and listening to Jerry Brown ask
for their support in his first run for governor.  Maybe.  And maybe it
was that I was always one of those kids who organized the neighborhood
into our plays and carnivals and rescuing animals.  Maybe.

We live in a land of reinvention and purposeful determination - mindful
of the past and hopeful of the future.  Some are marred by debt and the
addictions that this upside down economy is laying bare, it is a
cautionary tale.  It is a time for change.

So while we reinvent ourselves once again, perhaps we can do so with a
bit more wisdom.  Perhaps we can stop worshiping at the false altars of
money and power and all that is perceived to accrue to them.  They have
no true bearing in all that is truly important in this life and those
that worship at their feet will always be lost unto themselves.

Perhaps we can learn to value people in their every iteration and
discern what is beautiful within.

Perhaps.