Are you really, or are you just saying so?

Published on May 20, 2004 By dharmagrl In Misc

I'm reading this book called 'Roll Your Own'.

It's a how-to book about hippie-style bus living. You know the deal - you buy an old school bus, VW van or whatever, convert it into a habitat and trail all over the country in it. It has advice on every aspect of living on the road...from how to build a chemical toilet to ideas for decorating your place of abode.

At the end of the book there's some quotes from bus and van dwellers, 'professional hippies' as I like to call them. Not the wanna-be's, the real, walking, talking deal.

One of them describes an encounter with law enforcement in Iowa -

'... .. But the finest thing I thought he said was "You don't look scary to me and I don't want to be scary to you, and maybe we can work it out". And I thought that was a nice thing for him to tell me, because it wasn't even subtle or anything, it was right out in the open, flat out, and really neat, straight communication. We've had a lot of that, because we're being peaceful, not just advocating or saying peace".'

We're being peaceful, not just advocating or saying peace.

Those words struck me. Made me think. Made me look at how I am, daily, hourly. Am I being what I say I am, or am I just saying it and not doing it? Am I living my ideals to the best of my abilities? Because I think that's what really matters. Screw everyone else and their opinions, am I being true to myself? Am I upholding my own principles, am I walking the walk, or am I just talking the talk?

Are you?

I think I have a little more walking to do yet....and a little less talking wouldn't be a bad thing either.

Maybe other people should follow suit.

Comments

crimson

on May 20, 2004

Very good writing, Dharma. I'd love for you to list the author, and I'd love to say that you have a knack for giving inspiration to more introspection.

am I being true to myself?

I have been thinking about this very question for some time now, and I'd have to say that I fluctuate wildly in terms of saying rather than doing.

In regards to hippie living, I yearn for that sort of ideal, but wonder if I am cut out for it in reality.

KarmaGirl

on May 21, 2004

I think that the fact that you question yourself about if your actions are the same as your words shows that you are definitely on the right path. I doubt that anyone's actions are completely true to their ideals (especially if you hold high ideals). But, I think everyone should spend more time on actions and less time on talk.

You also pointed out another truism- there are plenty of "peaceful" people who do very un-peaceful things. They seem to be peaceful only when they do not have opposition.

dharmagrl

on May 21, 2004

The book is called 'Roll You Own' and it's by Jodi Pallidini and Beverly Dubin.

I told Dave last night that we should do something like this when we get older and the kids are out of the house. Even if we only do it for a summer...it'd still be a wonderful experience.

Karma, you're right about everyone's actions being not toally true to their ideals. We all learn to compromise if things look like they're going to be too hard or perhaps too inconveinient. I know I do.

Like I said, I have some silent walking to do.

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