Politics Schmalitics

I am an old school militant and I firmly hold to the belief that true power can only be achieved by taking to the streets.  Many times I have joked to my friends that I am so far to the left of the political spectrum I have fallen of the edge. In reality, it is actually true.  

I have not always been a militant though.  When I was younger, much younger, I was a liberal Democrat, loyal to my party.  I worked on a congressional campaign  and was very vocal about the issues of the day.  The transition from being a Democrat to my party of choice was seemingly gradual.  In hindsight, I do believe though that the fertile ground for my militancy was always there.  Much like a rock that is nestled amongst the fallen branches and ferns on the forest floor.  One that is just existing, waiting for the moss to slowly creep over it until the rock becomes one with the forest floor.  I also know in hindsight that this fertile ground is rooted in my insane childhood experiences, ones that predisposed me to fling myself at every injustice I perceived.  There were a great many years when I consistently donned my shining armour, mounted my horse, and rode off into battle.  I fought for the greater good, for the benefit of my friends, for things that appalled me, and for things that were near and dear to my heart.  I marched in the streets, walked down candle lit thoroughfares, fought behind the scenes, flinging myself into very battle that came my way until I was literally exhausted beyond reason.  The turning point was an epiphany I had in my late 40's.  An epiphany that was to change my life in ways I could not very have understood at the time.  My whole world was essentially turned inside out and upside down.  The resulting work I have done over the past 5 years has helped me to understand that much of my donning of armour was in reality rooted in my deep need to save myself.   I also came to understand that before my epiphany, I identified with everyone and everything that was in danger, whether it was real or perceived.  In a very complicated way I internally took it all on as if it I myself was in grave danger of losing my very life.  Things have changed now and my very different.  This is not to say that I no longer struggle with my issues.  I do, and often.   The difference is now I know why.