Keep our legacy alive children!

[60sHippie]

Young hippies i put this call out for you to carry the legacy of us old timers we will be dead before you will be and you must carry on fighting for peace love and humanity!
:) Bring the world to its knees using peace!

Dont stop fighting this battle may or may not be won! everyone can make a difference!

STICK IT TO THE MAN!!

- an old hippie

[DejaVoo]

Aw, thanks for the encouraging words! I hope we can...or..no i know we can!

[Goddess Om]

Yeah, I totally agree...

"Oh very young, what will you leave us this time?
You're only dancing on this earth for a short time
And though your dreams may toss and turn you now,
They will vanish away like your dad's best jeans
denim blue, fading up to the sky
And though you want him to last forever you know he never will
You know he never will
And the patches make the goodbye harder still...." (Cat Stevens)

Personally, well I am going to be around forever, its one of the perogatives of a goddess, you see...we get to be eternal in the flesh if we really desire it.
But even being eternal doesn't mean I can sit around on my ass watching the clouds go by...so you youngin's, here's what we need you to do:

* don't believe what the media and the politicians tell you
* trust your own instincts and inner knowing, above all things
* dare to be different and dare to be free
* find out what is unique about you and nurture it
* be passionate about human rights, the environment and a peaceful world
* allow your soul to be moved...every day...by the little things
* follow your bliss, follow your bliss, follow your bliss!

"Before you slip into unconsciousness
Grant me just another kiss
Another flashing chance at bliss
Another kiss...another kiss..." (Jim Morrison)

And always remember we LOVE YOU...carry the flame!
Goddess OM

[60sHippie]

Respect, you guys got your act together!
'
Legalize Marijuana! peace!

[kilted2000]

My thing is how do I start. I signed up at www.war-times.org (http://www.war-times.org) to hand out free issues. I guess thats a start.

[60sHippie]

yep thats a very good way to start!

But eventualy youll need a shaggin wagon :sunglasse

Still smokin~Legalize

[Goddess Om]

yep thats a very good way to start!

But eventualy youll need a shaggin wagon :sunglasse

Still smokin~LegalizeYeah...a shaggin wagon that rocks!
Kilted2000...that's a perfect way to start. While you are handing them out, speak to people, take the time to find out what they are about...engage them in conversation. It's the best way to start. We need to stop being afraid of eachother and start being afraid of the politicians (they are the truly scary people)
Still groovin~disgracefully (ha ha)

[60sHippie]

i think we need to start not fearing people and we cant fear the polo's either because that gives them some advantage over us!

Just makesure you be carefull i get beaten by police regularly even in these days For protesting!!!

Peace And Love but carry a derringer to kill off the coppers lol jk!

[soulrebel51]

yep thats a very good way to start!

But eventualy youll need a shaggin wagon :sunglasse

Still smokin~Legalize
I would love to keep the legacy alive, but you do know that it was drugs who killed off the prominent leaders of the movement right?

[60sHippie]

yes but they were fucki with cocane and opiates like heroin etc. that stuff fucks u up! keep smokin weed keep fightin the man!

~still smokiin~legalize~

[Raving Sultan]

I like the whole sticking it to the man bit.
I love older hippies, always an encouragement to see that not all hippies sold out after they got past 30.

[60sHippie]

:( yea a lot of them have quit and im glad to see some fresh new recruits but they have much to learn yet!

[purplesage]

I don't believe marijuana and hippies are mutually exclusive issues, but regarding general social issues I agree it's time to be less scared of people. What an important issue that is. We've each put such solid walls around us and I really believe we can't continue doing that for much longer.

It's hard for me as I'm naturally a very shy person and I come from a shy family, but I'm trying to break out of it. I'm not at the level where I'll talk to strangers on the street, or even look at them, but I'm slowly moving in the right direction.

[60sHippie]

take your time, you have a whole life ahead of you man!

[purplesage]

Thanks from a fellow Aussie :)

[LaurelBayTree]

its people like you who give me the faith that i can keep on screaming "FIRE THE LIAR" "RAGE PEACE NOT WAR" "GIVE PEACE A CHANCE" and I will be heard. I went as far as thursday to have a tattoo of a peace sign on my left shoulder. get rid of the weapons! let the inner love and peace in! I had to stop a almost horrible politcal fight in my economics class yesterday. one was pro-bush (who is a friend of mine. she respects my choices as I do hers) and one who sees that voting is not a means, there is nothing that can be done. I stood up and just said "Peace man! peace!" Let us embrace the differences and respect one another's choices. One is a republican and one sees the world as clouded. we all have a voice who can speak and let us enjoy this freedom we have. My friend smiled and nodded and sat down. The girl who believes voting does not help sat down with a sour look on her face. One day one day we will all live as one...

[kilted2000]

I think that the SDS should be revived. This is because part of why the 60's counterculture lost momentum in because of the lack direction. This new SDS could be led by original members. If we could be united then who knows what we could do.

[LaurelBayTree]

I think that the SDS should be revived. This is because part of why the 60's counterculture lost momentum in because of the lack direction. This new SDS could be led by original members. If we could be united then who knows what we could do.


i dig what you are saying. i think that is a wise and groovy idea. our voices need to be heard. the guns need to be put down and our hands embraced in unity. peace and love brother.

[celeste]

Yes! Keep it going! You're the Future NOW! The govt. has the so called anti drug campaign,it's a farce.There's big money in the drug industry,money runs this country.They wipe out a few farmers in Colombia,it's just a visual aid to shut the 'anti drug mothers',etc..up. This has been going on for years,you'd think the govt.would have a grip on it,huh? The booze industry is thriving,it along with the drug industry,keep the courts rolling and the prisons full.It's all 'bidnez as usual'. I did more than my share of dope as a wild child of the sixties,I shot dope,snorted coke,toked,gobbled up tabs of anything my friends handed me.I then got into booze,Southern Comfort,just like Janis drank(I was so-o cool...right...)I travelled a long,dark,humiliating road with my buddy alchohol. I guess what I'm tryin' to say is be careful out there testing the waters,what starts out as a 'fun buzz' can really fuck you up long term,your life,mind, health, finances,friends,family will all be affected. Natural,growing plants & herbs,that's the ticket! Keep the Faith! there,I'm through ramblin' on!

[redbarcheta]

im 15 and i have already begun bringing peace into this world. I am seeking to live a hippy life. PEACE

[kilted2000]

I think that the SDS should be revived. This is because part of why the 60's counterculture lost momentum in because of the lack direction. This new SDS could be led by original members. If we could be united then who knows what we could do.
I don't just want to talk about this, I want to acually DO it. I just don't know how.

[LaurelBayTree]

I don't just want to talk about this, I want to acually DO it. I just don't know how.
But how could it be done...not eveyone in the areas we live in want to revive this. Some have forgotten what our brothers and sisters fought for in the sixties and just take for granted what we can do today.

[Berkeley Bama]

We old farts can direct, advise, and support; but the ENERGY that comes with youth can make the movement live again! I'm only 50yrs. here, but my life-force is very tired... Since I was 14 and getting suspended from school for wearing blue-jeans, I've fought the system and yelled at the top of my lungs, 'Hell no, we won't go!'; I've smoked and hitched my way across this country several times and found tons of folks who felt the same as me...that we need to make a stand against the establishment and make main-stream amerika listen to us. The wish for change is still in my heart...but my body is not being cooperative these days. Revolution is a hard task-master and we need the younger , stronger members of our clan to carry on the fight. The desire for change has not left me. Indeed, if anything, it has gotten stronger with age! And if anyone has questions, I'll be here to give you what answers I can and try to show you the way. I think all of us old-timers can put down the doobie long enough to do that much!!! I am very pleased to see the kind of response 'old hippie' has recieved from our 'children'. It makes me want to pick up my sign and lay down on the tracks in front of Rocky Flats one more time!!!
"There's a chance peace will will come
in our life, please buy one..."
MELANIE

[oldwolf]

So often as we age we get caught in the programs that, had we looked more closely, we would have seen the insidious forces at work trying to keep mankind from Being all they can Be.

Speaking from experience - and how many others put their own dreams and visions on hold to raise their children - - and would not the children have been better off seeing their parents go full tilt after making their dreams and visions a reality. I mean, from experience, we can say that nobody is ever satisfied with what they have, so why not be the dreamer who fulfills their dream - and move on to the next.

And now the children are gone and the energy is waning - ENERGIZE - make those dreams a reality - be come young again through Doing. T'is a long hard journey oft fraught with times of not seeing a damn thing manifest and to keep chugging away seems so exhausting and for what ? But keep on keeping on. Put everything into it - your security is your dreams coming true - not the money to live a life you really despise.

Yes the older can teach the kids a thing or 2, but will they only teach that their actions belie their words - what are you Living ? Hey you olders - be elders, show the Way through Doing - we do know some of the pitfalls and are not so liable to be stymied by the system - I mean what have we to lose ? ! And O my how very much we have to gain.

And you youngsters, from one who is ancient yet still younger than, dare Live your dreams or be old in the ways of defeat before even trying. Find your own Way, but listen to those whose Doing emanates the Truth of being real - because they live what they speak - they Walk their Talk. And beware of those who do not yet, honor them for the lessons they give you ... I remember telling someone older back in my younger days as they told me that they had much to teach me -that I hoped I would learn their lessons vicariously and not by repeating them - because they were witholding their energy - even not giving your all - from living the life driven.

And yet be at peace, and Know that all of life draws to itself the lessons it needs - as do we all, and judge not another, but look to your Self and Be True.

[MoonjavaSeed]

i'll do my very best 60sHippie. Scout's honour!



.........wait a second........I'm not at scout!!!!!!!

......skip's honour maybe?

[LaurelBayTree]

i'll do my very best 60sHippie. Scout's honour!



.........wait a second........I'm not at scout!!!!!!!

......skip's honour maybe?

LOL. i tricked my husband out yesterday...we are moving to asheville,nc in a few months and in nc that is where all the hippies have gone old and new. well we got into a converstation about how i was in girl scouts when i was younger and that our children will never do such a thing because it supports conformism (at least he says I did learn a lot about camping...hated the uniform though...never wore it) anyways i told him that if we stayed in asheville out children could join hippie scouts. he believed there was such a thing and agreed to it :) Wish there was such a thing though

[Goddess Om]

As an older hippy...I know it feels like we have spent all our energy raising kids and now grandkids etc...and that was a beautiful job too...we helped make some more beautiful people who will love others and respect our planet. But we can do more, surely! I think the belly that we get with age has to go. I think it just shows the collapse of our lifeforce, and we don't have to accept that! We need to breathe, to stand straight and tall, and to get our muscles working again. If we are tired, we need to re-energise ourselves, reconnect with nature and the morning sun, get out and walk etc.
I will now chant as my anthem, the song from Inxs: "Stay young, just this once. I want a thing of value, I want to see in the dark, I want to win with you". So my earth mother, I vow to stay young in mind, body and spirit, and to keep on groovin' as hard as I can. Bring it on!

[shameless_heifer]

OMGODDESS... Goddess Om has been looking under my shirt.. at my belly.. I need that belly fat to keep me warm this winter... it comes in handy in other ways too.. it keeps the grandbabies from sliding down your hip.. you can rest your beer on it while you type..if placed just right it will prop up a book while you try to lite up a doo b..my mother used hers to hold her plate steady while she read in bed..I have also seen it used to bump the door open when your hands are full.. mine has been used as a pillow at times in a pinch.. and then there's the new wardrobe ( i like that part tho)..I know your perfectcaly right saying we need to get fit..but it would be quite an adjustment to make.. (sigh) what we do for Peace.. well I'm willin' if you are.. we can still have chocolate can't we..

[LaurelBayTree]

Peace and Love Om Goddess...you are very groovy sister ;)

[doseup247]

yes i want to help i really do but should i start now while im a senior in highschool or should i go against everything now that i hate about the system? if i chose to my mom would be mad because it would probably cause me to fail and not graduate but it doesnt bother me...has anyone else had the problem of worrying about their mothers reaction...or should i just trust myself in knowing that my life will be great without the system?? someone please if you understand where im coming from help me!!!

[LaurelBayTree]

brother you can have your views about the system. trust in your heart and mind and they will lead you on a path. finish out high school...you are so close and in this day you need that degree. wear tie-dye, hate bush, go veggie...whatever...keep the peace and love.

[Goddess Om]

Yes Shameless - A little bit of chocolate goes a long way sister - dark choc is actually good for you!
And...to doseup - finish school, but do what you can in your own time.
Your mother just wants what is best for you, so when in doubt, compromise - do enough to keep her happy, but follow your heart and principles by doing whatever you can that won't conflict with your education.

Many, many blessings to you!

[doseup247]

Ok thanks, yes i do need school i guess....but i really dont think i need this kind of schooling its like teachers these days dont teach anymore they "babysit". I just feel its wasting my time because im not learning really anything they just give busy work but i guess i should to keep mama happy...

[LaurelBayTree]

tune in, turn on and stay in school brother :)

[stoney]

start where ever , do u guys have a food not bombs there join that, we offer the homless and oters who need it good food, its mostly vegan food, but its still good, sometimes it gets a bit funny we will be sitting in peace park (madison wi) and shout out free food, and then i usally shot out boycott taco bell, we got free food here lolMy thing is how do I start. I signed up at www.war-times.org (http://www.war-times.org/) to hand out free issues. I guess thats a start.

[LaurelBayTree]

acutally my friends are doing the drop food not bombs tomorrow. we put up flyers today for it! :)

[KasabianRulesMan!]

Yeah you're right man for this main word you called "peace"...
But(oh no ...not the "but" lol) if only 10 % of people in the world are real
activist of love how can u change this world ?
I'm not a "bad vibe man" i'm just realist...
So there's my theory...

brothers and sisters the only solution is to form large communities ...to built hundred of beatin' heart everywhere we can(communities = tryin to love each other= heart)
Beein' isolated men and woman will sure lack of force to change even just a little this complicated world.

UNION is the ANSWEAR


Marc

[kaboom666]

Ok thanks, yes i do need school i guess....but i really dont think i need this kind of schooling its like teachers these days dont teach anymore they "babysit". I just feel its wasting my time because im not learning really anything they just give busy work but i guess i should to keep mama happy...
I don`t know how old you are but ANY schooling you can get is better than none. I left school when i was 14 (same attitude as you) but i was lucky enougeh to have mates and older freinds that were still going to school. after a couple of years they had good paying jobs, what did i have??
somehow i ended up a building forman after many different jobs.
KEEP MAMA HAPPY FOR GODS SAKE. SHE`S THE ONLY ONE YOUR GOT.
I HAVE A 21 YEAR OLD SON. HE IS OK BUT STUPID LIKE YOU. I HOPE YOU DO THE RIGHT THING AND GET SOME SORT OF EDUCATION SO I DONT SEE YOU IN THE SOUP KITCHEN WHEN I RETIRE

[Psy Fox]

Ok thanks, yes i do need school i guess....but i really dont think i need this kind of schooling its like teachers these days dont teach anymore they "babysit". I just feel its wasting my time because im not learning really anything they just give busy work but i guess i should to keep mama happy... That is what school is all about but you still need that paper. I learned next to nothing in school and learned far more on my own but employers still want that stupid paper.

[LaurelBayTree]

I like school just because i enjoy some of the talks and discussion i have in some of my classes and the new stuff i get to learn. i really don't care about the degree...oh and the people you meet are cool too.

[kaboom666]

Young hippies i put this call out for you to carry the legacy of us old timers we will be dead before you will be and you must carry on fighting for peace love and humanity!
:) Bring the world to its knees using peace!

Dont stop fighting this battle may or may not be won! everyone can make a difference!

STICK IT TO THE MAN!!

- an old hippie
Hey man, Old hippie, Young hippie?

I know what the OLD HIPPIE was about. I was there.
Drugs, drugs and sex, if you could fit it in between drugs
But what is the young Hippie about??
Dont tell me that hippies are anything to do with saving mother planet or such. BULL SHIT!!!!! A true hippie wants to bath in mud, get stoned, and tye dye shirts.

[flowerchild89]

Hey man, Old hippie, Young hippie?

I know what the OLD HIPPIE was about. I was there.
Drugs, drugs and sex, if you could fit it in between drugs
But what is the young Hippie about??
Dont tell me that hippies are anything to do with saving mother planet or such. BULL SHIT!!!!! A true hippie wants to bath in mud, get stoned, and tye dye shirts.That's definitely not true! Although I love the mud, I'd rather help save the environment then take a mudbath. Maybe some people are hippies for wrong reasons, but you can't speak for all of them.
And about Dosed's whole problem...I know exactly how you feel. Except for me school is so easy that it's become boring and I just don't try. My teachers are always telling me how smart I am, if only I would apply myself I could have straight As! But I hate grades. And I'm not just staying in school for the credibility or to get into college. I'm not relying on my average grades to get there anyway, I'm relying on my music. There's something about school...a lot of it is useless, but there are some things about it that just make me want to stay there. I don't want to be ignorant and uneducated when I'm older. But sometimes I do feel that if I was out in the real world learning about real life lessons, I'd be getting something far more valuable than the Pythagorean theorem. It's only a few more years, we can make it.
That was extremely long and disjointed...sorry guys, I have ADD :-).
Also, most of the posts here are really inspiring and beautiful. Thank you, Old Hippies, for handing down your legacy.

[PizzaProphet]

Right on!!

Peace

[Goddess Om]

I have been thinking about what makes a hippy?
It's only my slant on things, but I see these things - peace, gentleness, love, freedom and non-conformity- but I think it is the way we express those things that makes up hippies.
Like not being afraid to go barefoot or grow your hair long or whatever - not feeling that you have to conform to how others look. And feeling free to speak your mind, or speak your heart, and not fear it because other people find it so hard to do.
Like standing up against injustice or inequity, fighting for what you know is RIGHT, regardless of the consequences. Or protesting as a group against something that needs to be changed...ie. group action as well as individual action.
Caring about people and the environment and doing whatever you can to help - so feeding the hungry and homeless, maybe going to live in the forest and plant seedlings beside trees that have been felled, or maybe forming an experimental community where people learn to live closer to nature and be self-sufficient.
It's about an attitude that is open to new ways of living and being.
It is being able to be still and JUST BE, when that is what is needed.
Being cool with silence and not always having to 'fix things'.
It is having the courage to keep your heart open, keep your mind open, and keep connecting with people, with animals, with nature itself and with all the little moments of living. Awareness, I guess. Not blanking out or numbing out, but keeping the fire of passion inside you, and the hunger for freedom and for joy that you hope the whole world can share in...one day...

[BradinTheGreat]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

My name is Alyssa. I'm 15 years old, and I'm a sophomore at a Catholic high school. For just about my whole life I've been conforming to ideas or beliefs that were being driven into my brain since I was born.

Since I was little, dancing with my Dad to the magical melodies of The Grateful Dead, to current times with having to start planning for my future the whole Hippy scene has been really appealing to me. I have been researching Hippy ways, and I soon found that I had many of the same beliefs that Hippies commonly have (give or take a few).

Like Doseup247 said earlier, I have also been struggling with the idea of school. Like Doseup I want to live a Hippy lifestyle, but with my parents urging me to graduate high school and then go to college so I can get a good paying job, the whole idea of becoming a true Hippy seems to be a conflicting concern. I have no desire to go to college after I graduate high school so that I can get a job and become a slave to the system.

I much rather be out in the country getting in touch with my inner self, or out in the woods living hand in hand with others who want the same things in the world like peace, love, brotherhood of men and women, and a government in which the people and the officials are on the same playing field.

I don't want to conform to the traditional ways of thinking, and I have a passion to actively support my beliefs and ideas with people who share the same beliefs and ideas as me. I want to exercise my right to peacefully protest against the things that I believe are wrong with society today, and with God's help make a difference in the world.

Maybe you think I'm a poser or hopefully you believe that what I have said earlier is what I honestly believe. Whatever you think can you please help guide me in the respected ways of the Hippies of the past and present.

[flowerchild89]

I understand EXACTLY where you're coming from...

[oldwolf]

Alyssa and dose up,

Normally I try to stay clear of advising people or showing insight to what your real questions are. As we go through life we hit various stages of demanding answers - and the one we really demand them from is our Self. Who are we, what are we, what can we do, what gives us some meaning ?
The indians used to do vision questing about this time in life that you are going through. Those of us that can find a way to get apart do so too.
You see without an internal something to give us fire and purpose we aimlessly stumble from one crisis in our lives to another. Once we find something that we can aim toward - a meaning (and it grows and changes as we do - and those that do not change are part of the living dead) - we can hold that up and see what things help bring this purpose to manifestation and what doesn't. Make your dreams and visions and then Do something to help make them happen - act as if they will. Yes, be flexible and open to chenge, but believe in your Self. And to thine own Self Be True.
There are many who will help you on your Way - and many who will talk the talk - be one of the few who Walk the Walk - follow your own Way.

Brightest Blessings and energy sent your Way - Do it.

[redhatter]

Having seen high school from both sides, as student and many years later as substitute teacher, I certainly understand that it can be boring and seem pointless. School systems are products of many forces over the years, not all of them for the best interests of students. First, it is unnatural for people of that age to be supposed to sit still and quiet for so many hours out of each day. Far better would be a kind of modern day apprenticeship, where young people could actually try out different types of work. The criticism of this would be that such a system would track students into some careers, closing the door on college and other possible careers. In my opinion, such critics do not take into account what it is actually like for many students now, where so little learning of any kind takes place. Also, school systems are massive institutions, and as such, are bound by intertia. Change is just too difficult, and it is so much easier to keep bureaucrats busy writing new proposals, and have the teachers try them out each year as the innovation that this time will surely make a difference. As a practical matter, students that can manage to stay in the advanced placement or college preparatory classes will do much better, both in terms of classroom environment being interesting and not debased, and in potential to do well in college. This advice is not much help to those who are already academically behind by the time they're in high school, though. I will let you in on a secret: the business world does not mind at all that you are bored in school, because most of the jobs out there require a highly developed tolerance for boredom. Schools just the way they are now are perfect for turning out service workers who are already used to pretending things just to get along. My advice is stay in the advanced classes if at all possible, and if not, start thinking now about how you are going to make a living once you get out of school. Then start doing something along those lines. If it's something you really love doing, great! If it's just something that you're good at and can tolerate doing, that's fine too. You're already better off than most of the world, and can spend the rest of your time doing what you love. The point is, to have a skill that can be used to earn some money so that you'll have a certain amount of freedom to do what you really want to do. The alternative is unhealthy working conditions and mind-numbing long-hours that sap so much energy that there's none left at the end of the work day. I've done that too. Ordinary people are losing the gains that were made by the working classes over the last 140 years. I'm sorry that we adults have failed you like this. Many of us are still working to improve things, but many others have given up and are only looking out for themselves. There is a fierce struggle underway globablly for dwindling resources, and the corporations know no limits on their greed. That's the way the stock market system works; the only measurement of value for management in a publically traded company (that's almost all of the big ones) is shareholder return. Everything else means nothing to them. Think about that. The implications are staggering. And this is the accepted economic system in this country. If you object to it, they call you a communist. Welcome to the brave new world order.

If there is an upside to all this, it is that things have become so out of balance that it is very hard for anyone to fail to see it. The problem is, most people are too scared to speak out. They have families to support, and cannot afford to lose their jobs or chance at promotion. For this reason, it has always been young people that have driven change. There are many of us older people who want to help, but you have got to get involved to the extent that you're able to. At least vote! The good guys, or the lesser of two evils, however you want to view it, lost this last election because not enough young people turned out to vote. The radical right, who for the most part have been persuaded by the world's most sophisticated propaganda machine to vote against their own best interests, turned out to vote in far greater numbers than young people. It will take much more than voting to really improve things, but voting is a prerequisite to any real change for the better.

[BradinTheGreat]

Dear oldwolf and redhatter,

Thank you both very much for your guiding messages. I appreciate that you took time out of your day to lend me some very helpful advice. I feel much more confident about my future. Thank you for everything, you have both helped me in ways you could never know.

All my gratitude,
Alyssa

[redhatter]

You're quite welcome. I'm wondering about your thoughts on college. You wrote that it seems to you that the main reason your parents want you to go to college is so that you can get a well-paying job. I have a feeling that if you asked them more about this, it would turn out that there are other reasons to go to college. There is more to going to college than learning how to better serve the ''system.'' However, I personally think it can be good to take a year off between high school and college. There are lots of interesting things one can do for a year that allow for taking a break from schoolwork. Working in a job or an internship helps to get an idea of what the world is like outside of an academic setting, and can help to focus better on returning to college. I'm still not saying that college is necessarily right for you, but you've got a couple years to think about it, right? That may seem like a long time to put up with something you may not enjoy a lot of the time, but these years are the best time to get that high school degree (rather than get a GED later, which is what most people eventually realize they need). My personal belief about college is that it should be taken seriously. I have a lot of friends who teach in college, and they tell me too many students skip class, etc. We just get one chance at life, and once you get to be my age, the problems of the world really do start to appear in focus. Based on what you've written, my guess is that you are going to want to look back someday and think to yourself that you were effective at doing something to make your part of the world a better place. The college experience can help a person to be more effective in implementing real improvements, where they matter. That's real. Best wishes to you.

[Goddess Om]

Hi Alyssa,


It makes me happy to hear your views. I understand just how you feel about school and college. I think we adults tend to forget that education can and should be a life-long thing - not just about a few years in school or college.
I wanted to be a Psychiatric Nurse and I left school at 16 to do that.
Later, when I was married with two little children, I went back to complete my education at night. It was fun and I was actually interested this time!
But the point is...follow your heart.
The only thing I would add is that everyone needs some kind of income or assistance to survive in this world right now. Even in the forest you still have to eat something. So if you have some kind of creative talent or interest, think of ways that you can foster that so that one day you may be able to get by with it. Even if you stay at school you can focus on creativity and making a difference, instead of only making money. There must be courses that you can use to full advantage? Maybe environmental awareness, social work, political studies, anthropology, art, music, performing arts, permaculture and self-sufficiency etc.
Anyway, you have a great head on your shoulders and a good heart. I know you will make a wise decision...
Many, many blessings to you.

[solargarlic]

Hey everyone,

I'm a high school senior and for the past year I have been thinking about the whole college thing. I had some problems with the idea at first. I thought it would make more sense to skip college and travel around the world spreading good vibes and good ideas. After talking this over with several people (some hipforumers included), I decided that college was the place for me. College campuses seem to be the hot beds for change. These are the places where young people unite to spread their ideas. I want in. I'll be attending Oberlin College next fall and I know from my visit that there are many liberal students with great ideas on campus. I'm excited to jump into that pool of thoughts and maybe form/join some movements along the way. I encourage all other young people around my age to take a step in this direction (if you can feel it is right for you). All we need, besides love, is a bunch of young hippies, who are true to the cause, to speak out on their campuses and settle for nothing less than change. I know there are already plenty of us out there, but let's keep growing! Don't stop until our voice is heard. Even if the man tries to put you down, remember that our services are for the good of ALL humanity, even him. Keep up the love, keep up the passion, and like an earlier poster side, "Tune in, turn on and stay in school."

Love, light, service, and good vibes to all :)

I bid you goodnight.

[billisgod420]

hey everyone i have 2 questions!! first (please dont smack me!!) what is SDS??? and second is there a food not bombs website or something so i can find out if i can help out in my area???

i totally dig the idea of standing up for what we believe in and i want to be a part of it as much as i can!!

if there are anyother orgaizations that could use a helping hand let me know i wanna do everything i can to help the world from self destruction!!

[oldwolf]

SDS back in my day - Students for a democratic society - or damn that's what it used to be - been out of the loop on so many things that may have changed too.
On the food not bombs web site - don't know and just too lazy to look it up for you. but you could probably find it with any good search engine
And hey no slap upside the head - so please don't take it that way.
Blessings along your Way

[billisgod420]

thanks for the info and the no smack!!

[Susiland]

Watching yesterday's inauguration made me cringe. How could we have allowed a warmonger in the Oval Office?
I thought we remembered our friends and family members who died in Vietnam. Where are all the people who walked with me, who chained themselves to an overpass in Boulder, Colorado in 1971, shouting "Never Again! Never Again!"
Well, we did it again. We've gone to WAR without justification.
I thought we would be the generation to change things, to end war, to
promote love and peace and tolerance. But we're just like all the other generations... maybe worse, because we knew better.
Thank you for giving me this forum to get this off my chest.
I don't know who to scream at.
:(

P.S. My husband's band still plays "hippy music." Check out www.lordtiger.com (http://www.lordtiger.com) and see if you agree.... :)

[oldwolf]

You know - what we said and what we meant,
though we may walk it - or not
was that we would not let our own lives be determined by a corrupt society.
Some do - some don't

[Midget]

Hey, guys...wow this thread has been very inspring to me. :-) Anyone fimiliar with Americorps? I've been looking into doing some stuff with them...