Our political state is a mess.  The economy has tanked.  Locally, state-wide, nationally, and internationally we're dealing with huge issues and situations we've not seen before.  How can we solve the problems before us?

Here's a couple ideas. Tell me what you think.

1.  It's time to look beyond the big groupings.  Labor, student, community, are some of the titles of the movements.  They are handy titles for developing an understanding of whose involved, but they are are dangerous limiters of the work.  Every person is defined in multiple ways every day.  We need to use that.  We need to remember that student in the classroom right now leaves that classroom and heads to work, later they go pick up the kids from day, and maybe the whole family heads someplace for worship.  We lose if we stop at seeing them just in the role they are playing at the moment.  We're almost certain to find a connection if we see the person first then look at the roles they play.

2.  Not everyone has to do everything, but everyone does have to do something.  Recalls, redistricting, fighting bad legislation and advocating for good bill, it's all important, so is planting gardens, starting co-ops, figuring out alternative currencies and much more.  If you want to, you can work all day every day on saving the world and still have a lot more to do.  That's probably not sustainable though and this is a long term struggle.  So, breathe deep.  What feels good to you?  Where can you contribute valuable skills?  Where will you get to spend time with people and activities that energize you?  Do the work that feels right and you'll want to do more.  That doesn't mean it's always fun.  Hopefully, it is often fun.  When it's not fun it's still supported and supportive. 

3. The political systems are broken.  They need to be fixed, not a little tweak more of a major overhaul.  A political overhaul will take a long time and meanwhile people will suffer and die.  So, we need to work both outside and inside the political systems.  Build co-ops, create local currencies, step  outside.  We need those who provide services, take nonviolent direct action, organize on the shop floor and in the streets, and create alternatives.  These folks will save lives and places.  Meanwhile, we need those folks who can play the political games to play their best.  Learn the rules and use them.  We also need the bridges who can connect these working inside and outside our political systems. 

4.  We're living in tough times economically.  Economic struggles open the door to new opportunities.  It's our time to get creative, build connections, give our spirits space to stretch, let go of the stuff and grab hold of the place-- the community, the people, the that which is truly important. 

It's time to walk hand in hand and become a community.