I Am Not Afraid

One of our beautiful sunsets taken recently as I reflected and enjoyed my simple life here on Guam.

Today was the day the North Korean dictator said he would send out a missile to Guam, where I live. I really do not think it is probable that we will be hit by a nuclear missile. I refuse to take that in. When a friend tried to describe to me what it would be like if it were to happen, I had to tell her, I don't want to hear it. 

But I do not live in a bubble and these events DO affect me. They do make me think about life and what is important. They DO make me speak out against warmongering, and the tough guy rhetoric coming from our president, supported by and repeated by many others as the way to deal with a dictator as crazy as KJU. How dare Lindsey Graham minimize the impact of a war "over there" (meaning here in Guam and the Asia-Pacific region) in an attempt to reassure Americans that DT would never let it happen "here." (meaning the continental US). The LACK of recognition that we are real people HERE, is beyond unacceptable. 

At the Peace rally yesterday, I was interviewed by an AP reporter and felt inarticulate when she asked why I was there at the protest. I don't know if she used me in her article. I haven't seen it anywhere. I said something about the combination of Guahan Independence and Prutehi Litekyan with the North Korea situation was appropriate, that the military plans to use Litekyan (Ritidian) for a firing range is wrong. The Independence movement calls us to question the US control of our island and our inability to have a say in the protection of our sacred places. I didn't say that in the interview, but I meant that. She also asked me if I was indigenous. No, I am not. But it doesn't mean that I can't support what is right and protest what is wrong. 

Group photo of participants at the Peace Rally yesterday. I'm way in the back, playing with one of my friend's kids.

But, what I really wanted to say is to take account of my life on this day, August 15, 2017. Again, I am not afraid, but I do think that anything could happen - a car accident, a health event, a natural disaster and I would have left things unsaid. Most especially, to my daughter, Dance. I love you more than words can say.

Currently, I am fortunate to be able to pursue interests that speak to me, that move me to action, which includes my desire to travel.  I have a creative impulse. I want the thoughts in my mind to manifest in form of some kind. I believe that thoughts can be gifts and that one must discern and honor those gifts. Art is taking these raw materials - inspiration, ideas, thoughts - and shaping them in a form that communicates to others. 

The young woman, Heather Heyer, who was murdered at Charlottesville showing up to stand up against the racist demonstrations there, posted on Facebook right before she was killed. She said: "If you're not outraged, you're not paying attention." I hope her murder will be not just senseless but can be transformed into a moment of truth to many. I conclude with this current event because it made me wonder, if something happened to me, what would my last lucid words be? 

Maybe these words that I said to a friend who started talking about the "end times." There are more good people than bad in the world. We have to be the good.

And also: Thank you to all my friends and family who have shared the walk with me, the walk to do good and be good in the world, in some shape and form. Keep up the good work. Let Love be your guide.