How do you do?

How do we do?

What is the manner in which our actions are made real? What kind of energy do we put into our decisions and projects and for what reason do we choose them?

My name is Thought. I'm a human living in Grand Rapids, Michigan in USA Inc.

This question of why we do what we do is one the continually invites me back into contemplation around who I am and what kind of effects I want to see from the way I decide to use my time and energy.

Ultimately, my intention is to live in a way that heals the Earth. It's a big lofty goal that I know I will fail at often. I know I won't escape from participating in the convenience culture of mainstream America overnight. I know that by operating within the parameters of the state I'm consenting, on some level, to the violent, coercive, and imperialistic behaviors of the government. This blog is not about being liberated from these systems right now, rather, it's about living the journey to get there.

I've helped build a grassroots community in Grand Rapids called the Grand Rapids Autonomous Support System. I've worked on 5 farms across the US, I've been a baker for the past two years, I'm a Spoken Word Poet who has performed around Michigan and down into Appalachia, I've presented workshops on poetry, eye gazing, masculinity, food as activism, community organizing, and storytelling, and I'm about to be a father to two beautiful twins.

My world view sees nature as alive and sentient, aware of what is being done to it. I believe that we are all unified in the biosphere, the circle of life, and that the more we support each other the more are supported ourselves. I think that if we do the work on ourselves -healing our traumas, localizing our sourcing of food and goods, and engaging others through being fully present and listening deeply- we create the kind of change that will help us towards the future we hunger for in our hearts.

Like every life, mine is not one-dimensional. I'm always looking to learn through gaining knowledge and experience. In this space you can expect to find fermentation, photography, community building, musings on our society, art, ideas, questions, cob ovens, hugs, frustrations, hopes, history, and story.

I'm looking forward to sharing this journey with you and learning from this community.

I wish you well and I hope this day treats you kindly,
~Thought