Reality wins! Society fails! F!

That's the letter grade I give society.

Here is another lyric. This one is by Ani DiFranco:

I raise my glass and give a toast to all our saviors
Each so badly behaved --
It's too bad that the world is the one that they saved.

I got naked in public a week ago and it has caused many of my loved ones a great deal of "suffering". I mean, I am almost 30 and all . . . doncha know there really are norms that ought be strictly observed. Haven't you read the RULES, people?!

My wife had me move out. My mother is flogging herself for raising me "crazy". And who knows what everyone else is saying about me.

But, just between you and me though, dear Internet Cosmos, I would be laughing at them if they didn't take themselves so seriously!

They can't see beyond the act, and they are stuck there, going around and around, wondering, "Why did he do it? What made him do it?" And there is simply no answer to that question that has a lifespan of more than about a week.

To understand why I did it requires a clear understanding of reality. I did not say society, I said reality. These two aspects are entirely disparate from one another at this time.

I gave myself approval to do it because, in terms of reality, I could see no fault. In fact, in terms of reality, it isn't even a notable act. Even among humans, our puritanical American culture is arguably the most stuck-up about the unclad body. Could that be related to our obsessive sexuality?? Hmm!

Therefore, I suspected, I theorized, that in terms of reality no harm could actually come of it. I knew the rewards would be profound in terms of insight. So, after the thought had occured to me and I determined that it was only an issue of personal fear holding me back, chickening out would have just been one more check-mark in the "weak" column.

And is that how a person ought to live? Passively?

For myself, I answer, no. I want to actively manifest my life. I give myself permission to do what needs to be done.

Though the circumstances will be for no other person a matter of walking naked in public, the reasoning employed here is the proper way to live life. I know it. We fluctuate only between infinite potential and infinite reality.

My task and frustration for several years now has been this process of stripping away that which I desire because I'm a backwards-bred, miseducated, dreamer (my potential) and that which is natural and appropriate for me to desire AND revel in as life affords me the opportunities to experience (my reality).

One of the greatest things I believe that I deserve, as a member of the human race, is a sustainable, gratifying way to make a modest living with my God-given aptitudes -- a career that does not break me in half and make me a slave to the dollar bill, and a career that challenges me to hone my aptitudes to a master level.

I believe this is a fundamental human right, so I set out to make it happen for myself. I did not expect it would happen easily or without conflict, but I was shocked to find that those who most challenged me to succeed on this path were some of my closest loved ones. Which actually makes perfect sense, no?

It took nearly two years, but I have undeniable evidence that I'm on the right path. I am happier and more confident than I have ever been that I have done the right thing. If my wife were to remain serious about the separation, at least my career would prevail and I would take a lot of pride in that.

But that is my point. The more time that goes by, the more ridiculous and impossible the madness of a "naked glidewalk" seems, especially as it actually did not pose any threat what-so-ever to the physical aspects of my life. Only people's minds and emotions have been upset -- and that happens all the time anyway!!!

I am absolved.