Glee Beans

I spent the day trying to articulate the magic I feel in just being alive. At first I tried to describe my Quaker Friend's faith as "being naked in a world full of people in clothes". Naked being, living simply, living peace, interacting with integrity, biking not driving, and hugging the homeless. Some will accept that you feel good about being naked and seeing your joy is enough for them to leave you alone. Others will join you because they know there is power in numbers. However, the masses will try their best to convince you that what you are doing is madness and joining the status quo is the healthy route to take and to, "Please put some clothes on. The truth in your naked body offends me."

Then I remembered that following my gut is what I do best. I listened for the quiet voice inside of me. I thought, "There must be something leading me in life that has nothing to do with theology." Where do my footsteps take me when I "walk the walk"? It certainly doesn't mean taking my clothes off. That was just an analogy for the discomfort of transformation.

Magic beans came to mind. They always come to mind. There is a Tom Robbins quote from Half Asleep In Frog Pajamas about great opportunities. "You should never hesitate to trade in your cow for a handful of magic beans." Though this quote was not the impetus for my thoughts on magic beans, it helped me to turn my thinking around. Jack And The Beanstalk, the fairy tale, always put me off in a visceral kind of way. Yet, it inspired me. It inspired me to believe in the magic. To take the path less travelled. To bet big on creativity and to stay awake in a culture hell bent on being numb and afraid. I have always used recycled materials to make art. Objects thrown away have already lived a life and have a story to tell. Putting that creative journey into words ends up being Gleebeans. The beans that lead to living a joyful life.

Next time... more about the meaning of Jack And The Beanstalk and how stealing from the giant and then killing him probably wasn't the way to peace. And if you need more Tom Robbins: http://dagsrule.com/tom_robbins.html