I've a Rebel Soul

        I've a rebel soul. What about you?

        There's been a bit of a delay in my blog posts the past 2 weeks due to the very cool South by Southwest (SXSW) music festival in Austin. This was my first year at the festival and I will never again miss out on the opportunity. It was phenomenal. I loved walking along the crowded streets, music around every corner, people laughing, networking, expressing themselves, wearing leotards, carrying music equipment, running into friends, making new friends. It felt like all the reasons I love Austin had come vibrantly to life... times 10. It was a blast and I have never felt more inspired pursue my passions and more self-assured that I am exactly where I need to be right now.

        On a different note, before my SXSW adventures I was planning on writing about the state of American politics. Lately I've been feeling incredibly perturbed by US politics and it has really led to the resurrection of the rebel inside me. I can't pull myself away from the news feeds and podcasts even though I'm continually disappointed by the absurdity and sheer hostile stupidity of some of our politics. Every passing day I feel less assured that my basic rights are being protected by our political system (especially as a woman), and every time I'm disappointed I feel more personal responsibility to produce change.
        Anyway, I was planning on writing a passionate blog entry about all my political opinions and the reasons behind them. However, now in lieu of SXSW I don't feel as inspired to voice all my frustrations. It occurred to me... most people I meet on the streets, even the more conservative folk, are not nearly as radical as some of this years presidential candidates and public figures. Now I find myself asking a rather concerning question: WHY are more and more political figures so radical in their politics? Why aren't they representing the majority of peoples interests? Are they even aware of what the average US citizen wants? Do they know what the average US citizen is? Voting used to be a method of peaceful political expression. Instead of protesting in the name of our opinions outside the White House we could select one person to represent our needs and have him campaign for our political opinions. Is that what everyone thinks is still happening? Occupy protests didn't just illuminate the economic issues we face, it demonstrated the inefficiency of our political system. I for one have lost faith in our systems capacity to represent my convictions and protect my rights. Radicalism, bipolar politics, lack of transparency, economic inequality, regressive political campaigns against women's rights to contraception (the most recent embarrassment to our politics)...
        I'm almost ashamed.

Check out THIS article though, I agree with it completely.

NOW, this blog is not normally a political blog... but I thought I'd write about politics because lately I've began to realize the effect politics has on my creative life. It has become a really big motivation for me to do the most I can in my own unique way to live according to my beliefs. It's brought forth what feels like a vintage rebel in me from the 1960's or 70's. It's given my work a whole new layer of significance.

I believe that people are completely capable of living according to their convictions- political, spiritual, artistic... whatever it may be. I think a key ingredient in living a fulfilled life is to have enough courage to do so. Especially if you're a creator, an artist. Why follow by example or shy away from doing something eccentric or "weird" because it's not the common method? Do it anyway. You're more likely to succeed when you create your own structure or method. Progress requires change and we all have the capacity to direct it.

Warm Regards,

Anika