We All Have the Force, Ignoring This is Futile

I left the house on Super Bowl Sunday and walked out into the snow. The county was tucked in, by choice for the big game, but by default due to the slick roads, the iced tree limbs cracking under the weight, and many without power and rigging up generators to turn on the tv.

In town, we were lucky to have electricity and I spontaneously decided to leave the kids with their dad to watch football and walk myself to the movie theater for the first time in...I don't know. I can't remember the last movie I saw by myself, without a small person asking to explain plot points in loud whispers and spilling greasy popcorn across my lap.

So I made the short trek to the cineplex and paid too much for popcorn and sat in a mostly empty theater to see "Star Wars: Rogue One" for the first time. Yes....I'm horribly late to the party on this one and, already anticipated the story, as my son said (spoiler alert!!) when he saw it on opening day "Everyone dies, Mom."

But it was the best option for the "big screen" experience at the time I was there, and I am a Star Wars fan, albeit a moderate one compared to the six year old who still shares my bed.

I haven't written anything much since the election.

In a real way, I haven't had words to express what I see and hear and take part in.

Both the incomprehensible, criminal, and heartbreaking,

And the powerful, inconceivably inspiring, and heartwarming show of support and love and resistance that has begun to swell into a tangible resistance.

And as I type, more news is unfolding at such a pace that it's difficult for even the most aware and alert to be involved and keep up. So what can we expect from those who really have never paid close attention, locally or nationally, who work too hard to look up from their lives and see the greater picture. It's damn near impossible to keep up, to stay focused, to care at all. When LIFE is all we can really handle.

I am caught in this space: Between the attempt to be all in at every turn, and fulfilling my duty as mother, friend, woman, employee, etc. All the roles we all must accomplish within the larger place of a resistance and a movement.

Someone recently said to me that big changes and movements happen because individuals are so deep inside of the cause, so infused with it, that they have no choice but to build something and make it come alive. That there is no choice. I feel some of that. The sacrifices I have made have been minimal. I watch far less drama tv and movies, I was an admitted binge watcher pre-election and that time is now soaked up in following articles, digging for the facts as best I can, and trying to be aware. I also have the luxury of moments in my day with two small children where I can tune in while caring for them and it's minimally invasive in my world or theirs. Mom can follow the conversation while also making lunch and helping with math.

I guess I found myself identifying with the character of Jyn Erso in "Rough One" when she claims to have no investment in the cause, because it's just easier to not look up. I have always prided myself in being part of the/a cause, and somewhat intelligent on political activism, but even I was, and still admit I am, lacking in how involved I could be. I don't fault myself, or my peers. We are all busy parents, artists, farmers, and employees with a lot on our plate. Choosing to look down at our limited space around us and trust that the bigger picture was handled by the "adults" the "pros" "The Man" etc. was the easy option.

But we all know, that's not sustainable. So here we are. All of us collectively looking down the barrel of the gun that is our fate and how our choices brought us to this place in time and what we are going to do about it. No more looking down, time to look up and out and view the reality. Like Jyn and her inability to look away from her own destiny and small but critical part in the whole cause. Even if it means all who are on that ship, for that part of the story, meet their end. At least they fought.

I'm actually quite grateful I found this story, this film, the day that I did, besides the empty seats around me. It gave me yet another boost of vigor for involvement.

It's not news to my fellow Star Wars fans and Resisters that this film is steeped in the message of what we are all a part of in the Trump era. The one liners I gathered are important reminders, though. This is a marathon and not a sprint and we need to remember that every day going forward. That we all are individual pieces to the large puzzled map of reaching a better place. This means if you are into reproductive rights and that is your cause, be it so. If it is to fight for veteran access to home and healthcare and support, that is what YOU do. If it is phone calls and letters, reposts and awareness, it is your role within this. There is too much to encompass and be aware of all the time. Choose to be alert, but also choose your cause and get into it, go all in and infuse it into your being so that there is no option but to create the movement around that.

WE need to rise up against those who are "confusing peace with terror" and this is done by a network of marchers who then go home and pick their focused battle and make it their very own in the towns and cities that claim as their home.

WE "make ten men feel like 100" when we choose to show up and gather and share and speak and rally. We do. This is already proven and we are barely a month in. So keep going.

"Rebellions are built on Hope" and indeed they are. Hope that we are powerful enough, worthy enough, and valid enough to "Save humanity, save the dream" Whatever voice you bring to the table is important enough to be heard and to be considered and included. This is a dialogue that MUST take place. As hard as it is to have. If you feel like you aren't educated enough on the issues, then ask the questions and admit you have some learning to do. Dive in and start admitting our faults and lets attempt to fix them. "Trust goes both ways" and indeed it has to in a divided climate of this sort. Trust that we all have valid voices and perspectives that need to be respected.

This battle won't be handled and played out between the "adults" at the top. They have proven their incapability. But we don't have to settle for that as reality. We have power.

Quoting "Rogue One" is easy. And inspiring.

Showing up at the local council meeting is less easy, except that it's not.

What else are you planning for on a Tuesday evening for two hours...binge watching Netflix? It will still be there Wednesday night. Trust me when I say, you will feel really really good for showing up.

Everything is built on Hope and we need all we can get right now.

May the Force be with you, and may we all begin to see our important place in the whole.

You matter. So go make a noise about it.