The Glasgow Manifesto

The drive for a better, kinder, more adventurously lived life has begun again. I want to allow my life all the richness and experience it was born to see, do, receive, give. I’m in Glasgow starting a year of newness and experience. What do I want to do, what do I hope of this year here that will make me a kinder, deepened, more whole person? What can I give this period in my life to make it bloom, make me bloom? Why should a rich, vibrant life be put on hold?

 

I’m going to begin today. Now.

 

 I’m going to lie in bed and read because it fills my soul and draw my feet because it feels good and sip warm chamomile tea because its soothing. Tomorrow I’m going to make myself decent breakfast and eat it slowly, not in a rush to somewhere else. Make something for mom and dad because I regret not giving them something big enough, personal enough to say thank you and I love you. Talk to people in my class despite feeling shy or uncertain because its one moment and if it goes badly I’ll eventually get over it but if it goes well I’ll have a new friend. I’ll take the time to email Chamki and Maddie and Pallavi and Vatsala and Bhots and Sam and Amit  because they are friends and meaningful and they have all contributed to my life, my joy and have all put their faith in me at different times in my life. And that’s important to me.

 

 I began today and made myself some dinner and instead of bringing it back to my room to eat while I email like I had planned, I sat there on the kitched table and talked and laughed with mariyam and made her laugh while I ate. Because she’s come a long way from home too and would love a good laugh. And because shyness is not worth the loneliness.

 

 I’m going to spend more money on other people. Affect more people with kindness and generosity. Buy someone a coffee. Or a beer. Or a small little present. Or post a letter. Not feel I have to save or stinge obsessively. Trust that there will always be enough for me and for anyone else who needs it. Not feel like generosity means sacrificing money management or responsibility. I can always afford to give: time, money, food, art, love.

 

 I’m going to go through my Mlitt course bravely and boldly and fully. I’m going to work for it with every cell in my body, give all of me to it: my intelligence, my ideas, my creativity, my determination, my dreams. Every area of my life allows me to put each of these to use. And why should I not? I’ll do every assignment with deep interest and aim for the biggest stars (in my opinion!) for my celebrity interview and go bravely to press conferences and ask my questions aloud. I will apply for placements in places I aspire to be and trust and write and voice boldly. I will allow myself to be changed by it.

 

I will draw more because it makes me happy and because bad drawings are ok and because the point is the process not the accuracy. I will draw bravely in buses and cafes with people looking over my shoulder- I will try also develop the courage to smile at them, ask if I can draw them. I will draw what I see and what I imagine and draw without a pristine outcome in mind. I will draw because I can.

 

And I will write. Write to give voice to things that are not words but emotions, ideas, identity, ideals, images, experience. Write to account for my days and to pen for ever after my experience of GLasgow at 11:04pm on October 14^th 2007. Write to express and savour twice. Write to write. Write to share. Write to let them know. Write to understand. Write to leave behind a legacy. Write to learn. Write as prayer. Write to grow. Write my stories.

 

My list is longer than this. Its a manifesto. A blue print. A guidebook. My everyday decisions will contribute to a richer life. Even the small decisions. That’s the way to change big experiences.

 

What can you do today to make your life sweeter, richer, kinder?

 

Begin.