I know it's real
I was asked today, "if you could wave a magic wand, what would life look like?" I have been ruminating on it since 13:30. it's 10:58 the following morning, I'm on my second cup of Cafe Bustelo and am feeling in the mood to write into existence the life on Earth I would like to see. The earth I KNOW can exist because magic is real and dreams come true (oh and it's existed prior to capitalism. everything i say is not radical, it is natural). Here it goes:
Everyone has access to every possible medication, treatment, mobility aid, and therapy they could possibly need. For free, or under $10. Parks for weed smoking parents to bring their kids, naturally. Public transit widely available for the free or cheap. Safe infrastructure. Food is provided to all. Housing too. Agricultural workers are paid more than CEOs and shareholders. In fact, no more CEOs or shareholders...No more stock market. No more mining for cobalt. No war. Close the prisons. Peace on all blocks. No fucking cops. do I sound like Luigi yet? Drugs make me SAFER, I don't want to die and I don't want to kill, so keep me medicated. My magic wand would bring mad shrooms and weed to all who need them.
No psych holds. Compassionate care for people at any level of sobriety/intoxication or mental presentation. No hostile architecture. Shelters over every bus stop. Bike lanes. Public bathrooms that are self-clean or regularly cleaned by sanitation staff. Community swimming lessons. Reading circles and mending circles and naptime. Always naptime.
For me, life wouldn't change too too much. I'd still smoke. and lounge in the sun and bundle up and walk hurriedly through the wind and rain. But I'd live someplace more accessible, in a more dense urban environment so I can get to everything I need with ease, no highways. I'd work 5-10 hours a week for money, ideally teaching curriculum from a recliner, in sweats, with a heating pack on my aching body. I'd work another 5-10 on writing, 5ish on exercise and PT, 5ish on recovery stuff like women's group and mutual aid activities. Acupuncture once a week. Community meal at least once a week. Live shows in the backyard. Fairy lights and flags that stand for peace. Art. Fluffy rugs. A new duvet. A recording studio I can just pull up to and do my thing, and work with other vocalists and narrators.
I put the pic of me with my face needles in to show you that acupuncture isn't scary, but it does go hard. I felt so floaty and delicious during my treatment this Thursday, damn I just want everyone to feel that wonderful. Fucking do it already. It's not just about the needles, its the whole medicine system. It's fascinating and it is science NOT magic, even though it sure does feel like it. It's about harmony and balance of your system, so that you can function within the broader system. It's not hierarchy, it's not meritocracy, it's qi flow. And ya'll, when you do work with your qi??? You enter another level. I mean look below, look how relaxing that fucking room looks, shelves full of aromatherapy and herbal tinctures. Zero gravity chairs. Heated massage tables. Snacks (Thanks, Masha!!!).
In my dream world there's a clinic in every neighborhood. Providing excellent, varied treatments to all the individuals who find their way in. My acupuncturist in North Hollywood, CA had to shutter his community clinic because he couldn't sustain while giving people the goods at an affordable rate. He went into IT. I could never. Mark my words, I'm gonna co-create the safe space in my city. There will be all that I mentioned above, and more. I won't claim to know how it should all go, it has to be a group effort from bottom to top. I've already started so, to those who doubt me, suck it!!!! <3 Thanks 303 for the prompt. Hope this answer sufficed ;-D
