This is a guest post from Shelby in POCA Tech's Cohort 3.

Falling in love

You know that feeling when you just feel excited and happy and light? When you’re sitting on the bus staring out the window and just smiling at nothing? When you’re just so excited at how things are going and you want to tell your friends and family about how fucking awesome this person is? You know that state when you’re a little stunned at your dumb for luck for meeting someone who shares your core values and is trustworthy, kind, and works for what they believe in?

There is something maybe loco about this state when you spend two hours on a bus, trudge through snow, falling on ice a bunch of times and at the end of the day the journey was totally worth it because you got to spend it with that doing awesome things with someone you adore, respect and admire.

So this is how I feel on certain days, especially certain days of the week, but I didn’t meet one particular person. I’m not dating anyone at all. Hell, I’m mostly bouncing back and forth from work to clinic to the library and back. How could I feel like I’m falling in love?

Well, I feel like I’m falling in love with a whole bunch of people and a whole bunch of really neat systems, ideas and methods. And not just methods to treat Liver Qi Stagnation, or Large Intestine Dry Heat, but learning how to contribute in a network of people that are actively breaking down barriers and providing a viable alternative to the current system.

Growing up I wanted to either be a conservation biologist or social worker and I thought I had to choose between either Nature or people. Then I discovered ecofeminsim and was like, “Oh my God! It’s all connected!” Coming to POCA feels the same way, I don’t have to choose between practicing a skill I love or treating people i love.

I am so glad I don’t have to try to do this crazy business of alternative medicine and social justice all on my own, I know I will be able grab hold of the hands of people around me and make a much bigger dent by working together.

Thank you all from the bottom of my heart (and pericardium) (and triple burner).

-shelby

Author: lisafer