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November 20, 2016 Welcome to Metaphor CityA few years ago, I took a day trip to Hollywood. Much like many young people from across the country who come to this town looking to make it big, I traveled a mere 10 miles up the road and cruised the boulevards, walked the streets, and talked to people, to see about breaking into "Entertainment." I lived in this area all my life, but never truly pursued something in this field. That day, I donned my wide-eyed, midwestern facade and headed out. Hollywood, from afar, is like one big beacon; a lighthouse, if you will. Drawing in those who seek its safe harbor. From a distance, Hollywood is a singular draw, like some faceless monolith of an industry. However, as you really get close, and look deeper, you see that there is no actual lighthouse. What greets you, is a massive amount of people, holding, in essence, small flashlights, huddled together causing their collective lights to shine as one. But instead of one clear way from a single light source offering that guidance, you have countless people, with their tiny flashlight, screaming, "Look over here. Look at my light. Look at me!" Upon closer inspection, these individuals are desperately trying to draw attention to themselves. There are so many players in that town, and all of them have something to say and want desperately to be heard. Oftentimes, their message is unimportant, but it's important to them, or bonus, they truly think it's important to us all. This could come from those offering "opportunities," or those desperately seeking them. So many little flashes of light screaming, "LOOK AT ME. HEAR ME. I AM IMPORTANT!"  Navigating that town is not impossible. It simply requires determination, and more importantly, vigilance against less-than-savory entities pushing their own agenda, oftentimes over yours. I guess it was unsurprising that in the last 10 months, I witnessed this same phenomenon unfold on the whole of the internet. We, the general populace, go online to seek information and guidance, and instead, we find countless little specks of lights screaming out, "Listen to what I have to say, for I am important." In Hollywood, you hear people caution against those who will tell you want you want to hear, as they are only after your money or your connections, and are just looking out for their own best interests. There are shady characters in Tinseltown so that is sound advice. On the internet, that caution would go unheeded as people desperately seek out what they want to hear, facts and truth be damned. Why is this? Simply put, those holding the flashlights and those seeking out the light, are trying to feel important. Like they matter in some fashion. If the one holding the lantern can bring people to his glow, he will have felt the power of the draw, and have felt important. Those going to that lantern, are seeking validation of their own opinions, and if they are able to surround themselves with like-minded people who believe they are all on the right path, they will feel a sense of importance, or better yet, a quantum of self-worth. As I let the days since the election go by, I struggle to formulate a proper opinion on the matter. It's not that I lack, what would obviously be, a well-crafted, enlightened, and witty opinion. If anything, I lack the desire to have that opinion get washed out in the surrounding lights. I really don't want to be out there, holding my flashlight high and screaming, "Look at me. My opinion matters. It could help you re-examine the world." I don't want to be one of the things that I don't like, and I don't like them because it feels phony and just feels like it doesn't work. The fact of the matter is that my opinion is mine alone. I can't make you change your opinion based on what I say (though if we're being honest, the world might be a little less messy if people listened to me). I could sit here and drop beautiful quips like, "This was an election where you had a easily beatable candidate versus a wholly unelectable one... and the fact that you're not entirely sure which is which is a huge part of the problem." While a fun observation, what does that actually do? Besides highlighting my brilliance, is the reader better off than before they read it? Maybe the path I must take is not to spout my personal feelings on the matter. Despite my recent ordination, my words are not gospel. Though, if you've gotten this far into this stream of consciousness, you may have some interest in what I have to say. So what should I do, and why should you care? If everyone is holding a flashlight up, maybe the way to get noticed is to not turn my light on. Besides, the lighthouse isn't providing the shelter in the storm. The harbor is where you find supplies, safety, and respite. And maybe, instead of an opinion, that's what I should offer up. No screaming, no "look at me," no one forcing you to think or be anything other that what you are. What I offer is more important than an opinion. What I offer is to be a friend. This is more than just wearing a safety pin (which I do love the idea of). In stormy seas, sometimes you need to seek refuge in a harbor. I will be that harbor for you. No matter how you voted, no matter who or what you are, you have a friend here that you can always come to. In a world that has never been so connected, yet paradoxically so fractured, we have to start small. For me, that small start is saying I am here, if you want me... if you need me. In the grand scheme of things, maybe that doesn't matter. Nobody may care that I'm being all soft and saying I'll be your friend if you need one. But hearing reports of boycotts and attacks and harassment, from both sides of the spectrum, maybe this is the approach we need to take. I'm slowly getting into rambling territory, so I'll wrap this up. At the end of each podcast (heard at solidcatdojo.com), I always say, "Choose love." It's not just a good sound bite; it is a call to action. You can choose to be hateful, or combative, or aggressive, or just a troll. I dare you to choose love. That's the choice that takes real courage. That's the choice that has the real impact. And that's the hardest choice of all. Love. I've made that choice, and will continue to do so. Being an friend is an extension of that choice. You may not need me all the time. You may not even think about me for eons. Yet, in this uncertain world, I will be here. Always welcoming, always happy to see you. Even if we don't agree on everything. If you need an opinion or advice on something (my fashion advise is Tim Gunn-esque), I will give it to you, but only when you ask for it. If you need to vent, I'm easy to find. If you need a suggestion on a Thai restaurant... well, um... ok, you're on your own on that one, but we can go try it together. You may have come for an opinion, but I think, you ended up with something far better.
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