Over the Shoulder Gratitude

For those like me celebrating the last day of 2007, it's a day of many things, often anti-climactic, but still an important day.

Each 31st of December, I kick back, run my hand over my round belly and speak gratitude, prophesy, and hope. Deep reflection, I believe, is necessary to meaningful existence. Without processing, minimal learning occurs.

The lessons of 2007...

• Raspberries possess amazing healing power.
• Big media is beyond unreliable.
• The sporting world reflects much of the privilege, dichotomous racism, and sexism I loathe. That being said, I am learning - through the sporting world - how to be a feminist and co-exist and even enjoy elements of what I fight against (e.g. College football)
• Critical questions can be misread as jealousy.
• It's more about the mind's will to make it happen than anything else.
• All of us are always looking for genuine inspiration and hope.
• Cooking is expensive.
• Disregarding perfectly functioning televisions irks me more than I thought.
• Action should follow reaction.
• The revolution will not be funded and it will not begin in the coastal cities.
• I am not ashamed of my Midwest roots.
• Polylingual tongues have it made.
• Moderation is harder to practice as one ages.
• Wine is a fine art.
• Feminisms require radical leadership.
• Blogging has grown to be a significant function of my activism.
• Privilege blinds the mind and softens the skin.
• Allies save.
• Tabasco.
• Fingerpointing accomplishes nothing unless you have an idea of your own.
• Building community takes time, consistency, and work.
• I still need a mentor.
• Online feminism is about picking your battles and gearing up with allies.
• Body piercings can be liberating.
  

08 is going to be oh-great.