The Realist Idealist

I’ve been busy.

(even as I write it, I wonder why it’s necessary to put it out there… we are strange creatures to need to say such things for validation! ;-))

Since my last post here on July 28, I’ve changed jobs, moved my house, traveled extensively (including 9 days in Denver for a Democratic National Convention that I will never forget), and both been part of some of the coolest and more challenging things of my professional career.

I’ve done a good bit of writing at www.powervote.org/blog and www.itsgettinghotinhere.org and my Twitter feed has been a constant stream of consciousness…  just have unfortunately not put my thoughts down here on my own site.  I was reminded of how much it matters to me, though, when my friend Nancy emailed to say how she stumbled upon The Realist Idealist when she Google’d the word “idealist.”

I miss it.  In part for my own sake of (often) being able to capture and process my experiences and thoughts as I write, but much more so because of the interaction that occurs with all of you.  As usual, the realization led to a reflection on the importance of this process in my life (and I suspect others’ lives?).

Back when I was highly involved with alternative breaks at Vanderbilt and at Break Away, it never occurred to me NOT to stop and reflect on any action or experience.  It was an integral aspect of everything that we - and subsequently “I” - did.  I credit the development of consciousness from that period as being fundamental to the way I see and operate within the world today… so why do we stop? Why did I stop, rather?  How does reflection ever become less important and not a priority to us when it is so clearly valuable?

I don’t like this “returning” thing.  Pausing, reflecting, and integrating the lessons gathered is something I want back, and I want it to stay there. I hope you’ll join me… it’s inherently not something I can do alone.

While I don’t want to get into a habit of talking about my personal life (I’d rather talk about thoughts, ideas, events), I’m feeling the need to do so tonight, so thanks for indulging.

Tomorrow I want to talk about personal energy history and how it’s led to my new work… and I want to hear about yours!