The Women’s March on Washington
After the election, I wasn’t going to go. I was always interested. But, I’d written it off.
I’m too introverted. Too busy. I could just march near my hometown. It would just be easier to be supportive from a more comfortable standpoint.
But comfort and my own needs are so not what this is about.
The Women’s March.
We just got off the bus and had to walk to the end of the line. As we walked, folks cheered.
A little voice kept talking to me. Inside my head.
I need to live my intentions. I need to live my values. The time is not when. The time is not if. The time is now. No matter what reservations I have. No matter how I feel. Introversion – whatever. Discomfort? Well, you should be used to discomfort.
I posted a video on my Facebook feed about what folks needed to know for the march. I wasn’t going. But I was supportive.
C’mon. You’ve wanted to go since the beginning. This is it. This is your moment to walk your talk. Look at the comments you’re getting.
A friend commented. “I might have a cabin.”
My senses perked up. A cabin?
If this works, this could be epic. It will mean I was meant to go. Don’t get attached to the outcome if you go or not. Even though your heart wants to go. Needs to go.Â
I got a message a day later that the cabin didn’t work out. But an acquaintance said she had space in her car and needed help with the hotel room.
Great! I’ll message my phone number. This could work. But, what if it doesn’t? It’ll be the second thing that doesn’t work. Maintain calm. Don’t get attached to the outcome. If I’m supposed to go, my intentions and actions will come together. In effect, I’ll be in the right place at the right time.
It turns out, I never heard from that acquaintance. Chalk it up to busy-ness, or just not knowing that person well enough, but two days passed and now it was six days before the march.
My heart was feeling the need to go, more than ever. With two possibilities falling through, would this happen?
Then husby heard Pannavati on NPR. How she said we need to ‘walk our talk.’ You see, she’s an African American Buddhist nun. (Her story is incredible…she started out as a Christian minister!)
She said that they had a bus going. That there was space.
Then, husby told me about it. My heart begin to hope against hope.
Third time the charm?
You need to call. There will be space. This is going to happen. Surreal? Yes. But necessary. You need to do this, even if you won’t have time to blog and go to the grocery store like I usually do, to stock up for the week. You need to do this even if you won’t get all your laundry done for the workweek. You need to do this even if you feel exhausted.
I just happened to have some money left over from the holidays. I had set aside some other funds for worthy causes.
This was a worthy cause.
When I called, there was still space. With three days to go before the march, I found a bus with space and a whole itinerary for the weekend with an incredible human leading the adventure.
Things lined up! Synchronicity at its best. What’s meant to be is meant to be.Â
But why did this mean so much to me?
The location and content of this particular sign were significant to me
My intentions were to do more for those who need help. I want to do more for the downtrodden and empower them.
I work with immigrant families every day. The new president has alluded to targeting them. I cannot stand by and let this happen.
The Latino part of me had to stand up. For those who never learned English even they’ve been in the US since before the Mexican American War. For those who don’t know English and are escaping life-threatening poverty or war or a decimated economy and are recent arrivals to the US.
No human is illegal.
It wasn’t only that, though.
I marched for those whose religions aren’t part of the mainstream. This includes me – a spiritually independent person. I honor all religions and no religion, agnosticism and atheism. All need to be respected.
I wanted to march for the impoverished among us who work so many hours for such little pay.
I wanted to march for every single marginalized group that, for so, so, long still continue to feel oppression and ostracism.
I wanted to march for those who didn’t understand or didn’t care about the march.
I wanted to march for those who have different viewpoints than me. I might exercise my right to assembly for them.
I wanted to march symbolically because I believe in the dignity and sanctity of every human and every living thing (even if it’s hard to really like the crocodiles or pythons that exist – they have their place).
It became a way to stand up for what I believe in.
The March
After working all day on Friday, I ran home and packed and drove another hour to where the bus would be loading.
Nearly 50 of us piled in and rolled out of Hendersonville, NC at 9:35 pm on Friday night – January 20.
We drove all night, and most of us slept fitfully at best. We got to Fredericksburg, VA at 5:30 in the morning and got breakfast.
As we continued on toward Washington, DC, everything started taking on a whole different momentum.
The interstate was packed with other buses of people ferrying into town. I’d look and see entire busloads of fellow women wearing their characteristic pink pussy hats. All buses had people that waved at ours and we waved back.
We disembarked at the south end of Washington, DC – the closet place for us where buses had permits to get into town for the march.
We trekked alongside the growing line of fellow marchers as we walked toward the end of it for the metro. The whole way we were cheered for being there. People shared their signs, smiles and hugs.
We waited in line for nearly two hours. After boarding, we waited another hour as scores of people boarded at each stop. The metro authority had to close several of the stops due to overcrowding.
At no point were we angry: so many fellow marchers and supporters were sitting with us who had their own stories to share, signs to wave and pink hats to don. The mood was hopeful – peacefully defiant, even.
I likened our experience to being a tributary that would join forces with the pink river of fellow supporters.
After three hours had elapsed, we finally arrived at a metro station near our destination. It was still a walk. But, just as well: seeing the signs, the costumes, the women, the solidarity only reinforced my desire to be there.
We marched all afternoon. At the National Mall, we met up with a friend who would later prove that she not only had a heart of gold, but who also helped us navigate the complexities of metro stops, Uber drivers and freeways that make up Washington, DC.
Many other groups were part of the march: LGBTQIA, Latinos, Native American Indians, African Americans, and so, so many women. So many of us came together to unite for diversity, unity and equality.
It was synchronicity that allowed us to meet up with her; I had other friends I wanted to meet and navigating the crowds and streets was difficult at best. We all quickly realized that it would be impossible to trek through the crowds and streams of people to try to find each other at an exact time.
Yet we were able to meet up with this beautiful soul who came with water, phone chargers, and an encyclopedia of information about Washington.
I had no idea how to navigate the metro, where I was going, or how to get back to the bus. But somehow I ended up with folks who had intimate knowledge of the city and led me wherever we needed to go. I never had any qualms that this would all work out.
We had to leave too soon: at 4pm due to the metro system’s limitations.
But I wouldn’t take the metro again.
It turns out, I had my first Uber ride when we got a glimpse of the crowds lining up to try to return to their buses. Only a few minutes after summoning our Uber ride, we drove by the Pentagon, the Air Force Memorial, and other notable places of interest. (I will go back someday to actually visit these places.)
My heart swelled and I don’t think I ever stopped smiling at the unity, the power and the camaraderie I felt the whole time during the march.
I knew the march was only the beginning.
The beginning of an era where I know we will overcome.
We will overcome the notion that skin color matters.
Or that someone’s religious belief system matters more than someone else’s.
We will overcome the notion that any one person is better than anyone else.
This is it. This is the test of our resolve as humanity. The earth is reaching its tipping point. Will you stand by as humanity stands on the brink, or will you use your voice to connect with your inner being and try to change it? Will you stand by and do nothing, or will you act in accordance with your heart?
That is why the march became a spiritual endeavor for me.
I chose my heart. I chose to sacrifice my comfort and my aversion to crowds to make a statement. Any “leader” who singles out groups of people based on playing on people’s fears is not a leader.
I cannot tell you how many times I’ve thought about staging a meditation in front of my town’s courthouse. But that’s either a bit crazy or it’s not crazy enough. But I resolve to stand by my beliefs.
If this march was any indication of the power that humanity has when it unites against nefarious forces, it is unstoppable.
On that bus with me were three women who were mother, daughter and granddaughter – three generations! Four sisters – all over the age of 55 were with me. Married couples, single men and a sweet friend I met on my meditation retreat last summer were all there. We didn’t know each other but by the end of our trip, we were exchanging emails and Facebook friend requests. We were giving each other hugs and best wishes.
We were all together 48 hours. But those 48 hours changed my life and I became a part of herstory. The rest of the women and their supporters helped to make a statement that we will not stand by idly when it comes to the equal rights of others.
Whatever you do, make sure it helps people. Make sure that its purpose is to help the downtrodden and fight for what’s right. Fight for equality. Fight for love. Spread love. Be love and compassion. Be a light to other people.
That voice. That voice in my head that, as I continue to meditate, seems to gently push me in the direction I need to go. It seems to be getting a little wiser, too.
I’m still doing my meditation experiment. I only missed one session on this trip: when we stopped for breakfast so early in the morning. I managed to fit all my other meditations in and interesting things are happening.
As for my fellow bloggers and readers, I am a little behind in posting. I’m behind in commenting. But I promise to catch up soon!
The irony here is that this is in front of Trump International Hotel. We stumbled upon this as we walked. It was all gated off.
I am so, so proud of you for doing this!
It takes a LOT for us introverts to get out of our comfort zones most of the time, but I find, when it’s something we care so passionately about, and especially if it’s something where we feel we are compelled to be a voice for those who don’t have one, or for something that we feel is unjust, it’s easy.
It was great to read about your experience. This is something you’re going to remember for the rest of your life.
And I LOVE that photo of you. It’s just *awesome* 🙂 x
Oh, Melanie! This is such a profoundly sweet comment! You know, one of my favorite signs at the march was “So bad, even the introverts are out!” HAHA. I *so* badly want to be a voice and change the world. CHANGE IT, dang it! 😛
Thank you for this. Thank you for reading about this. It was pretty much a life-changing experience. I’m still dog-tired and haven’t caught up from lack of weekend time, but well worth it. And you’re right: it’ll be something I remember forever.
Hehe…that photo. My cool friend from the meditation retreat is a photographer. She took it for me. 🙂 Sending you happy, healing, loving hugs. xoxo
You’re experiencing the high I felt back in the late 60’s and early 70’s when protesting against Vietnam and for civil rights. Congratulations, you really will never be the same person you were. You’ve done something that will separate you from the crowd for life, and you’ll relish in telling the story for eternity. Besides, in how many posts can you say, “pink pussy” and get away without blushing? 🙂 Seriously, stay strong to your cause. I respect you for having the guts to stand up for your beliefs!
Rich – WOW!! I only had a moment to read your comment earlier today, but didn’t have a chance to respond. But I’ve been thinking about it all day. I kept thinking about how you said I’d never ben the person I was. From the bottom of my heart, I think you’re right. I don’t yet know how this changed me. I only know that I had this need to go. I had this need to go and be out of my comfort zone while husby and the rest of my family stayed behind. I’m not sure what compelled me other than the desire to walk my talk. Your words mean so much to me. And I have infinitely more respect for you knowing that you marched against Vietnam and for civil rights. You’re a good human. Just reading about what you did for your parents was more than enough proof. 🙂 HUGS
What a beautiful story, Cyndi. I love you for going. I have been working on a historical novel for over a year now centered around the Selma marches, so I have been tongue-in-check all week. “Herstory?” LOL.
Rebecca – thank you, sweet friend! A historical novel centered around Selma!? I should like to read that! Yes, hehe, “herstory.” 😀 Sending you hugs. Thank you for your feedback and keep us all posted about your book. 🙂
I cannot say enough how humbled I am but your marching and sharing all about the march, as well as you desire and feeling why you marched here in your space. Seriously, I have bene walking around so down and in a funk since this election happened. So to see the numbers that came out for this gave me more hope than I can express. I am just wishing that whatever the outcome that good will indeed overcome evil and darkness here. But this march was definitely a step in the right direction. Thank you my friend once again for sharing and just being you. So many hugs and love today and always 🙂 <3
Janine – that’s the sweetest comment, ever. I hear ya. I’ve been in a funk, too, and just wanting to DO something. When I headed to the march and saw all the people, I was renewed with a sense of such hope that the majority of us don’t support laws and policies that are disparaging toward others. Sigh. I guess this is when our beliefs invariably get political: the fight for our fundamental values and the rights of others to live out their lives in peace. Love always wins. Sometimes it goes into hiding to help us to appreciate its goodness, but it always wins. We’re likely headed for dark times, but I take solace in knowing that what’s good and what’s right will prevail. Hugs and love to you, too! <3 <3
It was historic, Lil Sis, and I don’t want it to end, and that is my fear. First, I’m so damned proud of you. Second, movements like this one are always in danger of dying on the vine because there is no central governing body…it is fragmented and could die quickly without someone to keep it moving forward…I saw it happen far too often during the 60s. I hope someone picks up the banner and continues to breathe life into it.
Big Bro – indeed! I have a feeling this won’t end: there are too many people and too much progress has been made to let it all just “go away.” To be sure, I’m pretty sure we’re headed for tough times. But I have to believe that love will prevail. But your statement impacted me profoundly: “it is fragmented and could die quickly without someone to keep it moving forward…” Indeed. I find myself asking, “if not me, then who?” I’m not being presumptuous. There are a lot of folks out there asking the same question, I think. But I ask myself that because I’m thinking about what more I can do. How can I help? How can I help change the course of this airplane? I’m not sure what the answer is, but I’ve even gone so far to think, “well dang, what if I marched like Gandhi and made a statement like that?” Haha, I don’t know, though. But I’m going to come up with SOMETHING. Dang it. LOL
Kudos Cynthia. I admire so much of what you do. How you do live your values, your passion, your deep caring that you put into action. And your meditation and listening to your inner urges is wonderful (something that I’m still learning in my 50s!).
Congrats again on being part of this historic march. I hope it grows seeds that blossom throughout our country and world to make a better, more loving and inclusive world for all. blessings, Brad
Brad – you’re awesome. I really try to live my values and walk my talk, but I still know that what I do is not enough. I have such a burning desire to change everything for the better and I don’t always know how to do it and I settle back into complacency. But we’re all works in progress, no? All we can do is try. 🙂
I’m in full agreement: I hope the historic march grows seeds that blossom to make the world a better place. I will also continue to do something. I’m not sure what, yet, but I’m going to keep moving forward and doing…something. Still thinking on it. 🙂
Cynthia, I’m so proud of you! You did it! What an experience, and something you’ll always remember. I love the sign about the introverts being out. I can relate! Like Bill, I do hope the movement lasts. I think it has lots of momentum and people around the world, not just in the U.S. I know that locally there are several groups that are spreading information and doing things every day–making calls, speaking up. This election has certainly made people more active than before! I’ve done several different and perhaps small things, but I’m super impressed with those who do so much more. LIKE YOU!
I love the photo! You look so happy. Again, so, so proud of you! And I really enjoyed reading about your experience. Living vicariously . . . . 🙂
Vicki – aww, thank you for coming by! <3 Haha, I LOVED that sign, too: "So bad, even introverts are here!" BWAHAHA. I wish I had thought of that. 😀 The witty signs were left to the wittiest among us, but I still loved my sign. I'm going to keep it forever. 🙂 We'll make the movement last. It has to. So much is at stake. And like I said down there, "if not me, then who?" And not in a pretentious way. I think a lot of folks are asking what they can do. I'm brainstorming. I've gotta come up with something fast, but it will be along the lines of what I'm good at and what I stand for. 🙂 I've never been quite this politically active, though I've always been interested in the rights of the people. 🙂 As far as the photo, I had this vision of holding my sign high, either in front of the Washington Memorial or the Capitol Building. It was too cloudy to see the memorial, so I went with the building. Hehe. Sending you hugs and thanks for your heartfelt comment. <3
Oh where oh where do I start Cynthia to say WOW… Well Done YOU..
I told my hubby when we watched on TV how DC and London were on the news about the Women’s March.. I said my blogging friend is going.. 🙂 and I was so excited to see so many join forces.
And as you shared your thoughts and your own excitement I so got the sense of how ALL of this is meant to be.. Its all now flowing as it should.. Synchronicity working at its best. Meeting and greeting those who you are meant to that helped you navigate..
This is just the beginning my friend.. And there is NOTHING we cannot do when we join together in LOVE and HARMONY..
And this is the Renewal that is going to take shape..
Yes I feel collapse is coming, but this is needed to ensure that we rebuild and regenerate.. Which is what I have just drafted for my next instalment of the Elder .. I can not wait to post it.. For I am recharged by the insights that are coming and they are all connecting now with what is happening within the world..
And its good that we are all now connecting within that energy..
Loved seeing your photos and my smile is from here to HERE.. LOL
Lots of Love my dear friend.. Who is walking Her Talk.. 🙂 xxx <3 <3 <3
Sue – your comment just takes my breath away. I so value your insights and wisdom and they inspire me. So many women and so many good people came together to make a statement that we will not stand down. It’s amazing how it all worked out – with only figuring out that I would go only days before. I wasn’t sure…but this little voice kept telling me I had to do it.
Synchronicity. YES!
This is just the beginning: for all the good and all the not so good that is yet to come. But you’re right: there is NOTHING we cannot do with love. LOVE ALWAYS WINS!
Honestly, when life is good, it’s easy to not appreciate what’s going right. I kind of think that’s what people were experiencing with the end of Obama’s administration. “Oh, this is fine. Maybe life could be better and we’ll elect a radical to shake it up and see if it can happen.”
There are so many lessons here. But I think folks will look back and see how they didn’t appreciate the awesomeness of the things that WERE going right. With this situation, as in life, there are summits and troughs. The summits become the culmination of hard work and determination, and the troughs make us appreciate the summits. But they also offer the most chance for growth.
I can’t wait to read more of the Elder. What an incredible story you’ve started! Insight. Synchronicity. The words of the day. Lots of love to you! I will continue working on walking my talk. I’m starting to LOVE that phrase. 🙂 Sending you so many hugs! xo
I still can’t comment from my reader. Anyway, here is my response to yours. I hope you can let the passion move you forward with gentle love. We’re never going to get it all done. Enjoy the process and yes we are very much works in progress. Hugs and thanks for caring and acting Cynthia.
Brad – true words! I admit I have *no* idea about the reader. If it’s any consolation, it’s never worked for me on any site. I literally cannot “reply-to” and have never been able to no matter the wordpress site I’ve had, and we’re talking years. I might be a hopeless case there. But again, I totally understand not wanting to have to come back to respond. 🙂
Honestly, I’ve got two ideas brewing in my head right now: I love to walk, so marches seem like a natural choice. But working anywhere between 40-50 hours per week and trying to blog and draw, it’s all I can do to keep up with the whims of my own life. That said, I’ve thought about doing monthly 8-hour marches around my town. I’ve thought about meditation flash mobs. I’ve thought about just going and sitting in front of the town courthouse and doing a public meditation for love and compassion. I’ve also thought about meditation flash mobs. I’m cooking up something. But…we’ll see where I end up going. Teehee.
You’re a whirlwind of ideas Cynthia. :)I just hope you and others march with love and stand FOR what you want, not against what you don’t. I’ve been listening to the videos of Dr. Sue Morter and she’s helping me understand both my personal and universal path much better. She suggests that all events happening are for good, parts of us we reject (looks like other people doing things we don’t like) are asking for acceptance back into the wholeness within and without. Food for thought. 🙂
Hugs and blessings!
Brad, haha, Dr. Morter sounds intriguing. 🙂 I concur: the peaks and troughs of life are what make us who we are. The times of struggle get us ready for the triumphs and vice-versa. Hugs and blessings back!
very cool!
so much is true and valuable in terms of your insights and intentions, but what jumped out at me the most was,
“…no matter what reservations I have. No matter how I feel. Introversion – whatever. Discomfort? Well, you should be used to discomfort.”
that last phrase is the perspective that all clarks will benefit from if we can only allow ourselfs to accept it. Although we feel the discomfiture of being the Outsider, we forget (when confronting seemingly new and/or novel instances that threaten to be non-comfortable)… as you so ‘hey-guys-look-at-what-I-see!’ we’re already non-comfortable.
what an astounding irony for us… pay the price and forget to pick up our merchandise! lol
nice work, yo
Clark – Hey there! I love that: “The perspective that all clarks will benefit if we can only allow ourselfs to accept it.” I think we are good with acceptance – at least after a time – and learn to operate effectively within that discomfort. And isn’t it ironic: pay the price and forget to pick up your merchandise. Story of my life. lol
Thanks Cynthia.