Good day and welcome to DKos Asheville. This is the weekly DKos Asheville open thread where we try to get together every weekend to share with everyone what we're all up to in Western North Carolina and beyond. We hope this group serves to invigorate us locally and regionally here on Daily Kos, building on the sense of community that's grown through our online engagement. DKos Asheville can give us all a better sense of connection, a better understanding of who we stand with, work with, and share with. We hope this community can help leverage our orange passion for progressive politics to elect more and better Democrats.
In this corner of the Earth, this morning is the full moon. When I returned from town last night, the moon had not yet risen above the Eastern ridge behind the house. It was cloudy, and the cloud floor was so low that when I parked the car, the clouds were passing in front of the headlights. The cloudy sky above was infused with the light of the moon, though it was still behind the ridge. The air was cool, but not cold; and all was quiet and peaceful. It felt good to be in that space, connected so intimately with this Earth.
One of the things we work for here is environmental justice, working to raise awareness of our connection to and dependence upon this Earth, and of the damage that we as humans are doing to the ecosystems within which we live.
But in addition to this important work, I would suggest that it is also important for each of us to deepen our personal connection with this Earth, to deepen our direct experience of and with her.
It isn't enough to look at a sunset, to look at a mountain range, to look at the clouds; let go of the separation, let go of the idea that one is separate and apart from this Earth. Open to, surrender to, be fully present with, this space around you, this place where you stand, where you breathe and feel.
Reach down and touch the Earth. Renew your connection with this planet, our mother Earth. Open your heart to her; be thankful.
And teach others. The work we do for environmental justice will depend in large part on our efforts to raise awareness among the peoples of the Earth. Take someone for a walk in a national forest; teach them to be still, to quiet the mind, to be present with the energy of the trees, the creeks, the rocks, the life all around them.
And as the full moon rises in the East, as your heart opens in gratitude and wonder, turn to your friend and point to the moon, and share that moment together.
Enjoy!
January 17 and 18 will mark DKos Asheville's seventh meet up over the last few years. Over this time we have developed rich relationships, been inspired to register voters, have driven people to the polls, canvassed neighborhoods, and spent endless hours at phone banks. And we have built ourselves a network of like minded brothers and sisters who are in this fight for life. A place we can come to find inspiration, power, solace and community.
So please mark your calendars and plan on joining us for a wonderful weekend of camaraderie, inspiration, networking, fun, food and entertainment.
What A DKos Asheville meet up in Asheville, North Carolina.
When Saturday and Sunday, January 17-18, 2015. 1:00 pm Saturday till 1:00 pm Sunday.
Where Crown Plaza Resort Asheville, One Resort Drive • Asheville, NC 28806. tel:800-733-3211, tel:828-254-3211.
Accomodations Pet friendly, Vegetarian and Vegan friendly, lunch, dinner and breakfast provided, five double rooms have been booked for attendees, extra rooms provided if we need them. Private patio or balcony, deluxe bathroom, complimentary high-speed wireless internet access, Cable / Satellite TV, much more. Excellent open meeting spaces. Easy access to downtown Asheville for fun and frivolity. From their website: Located in Asheville, North Carolina and only one mile from the stylish and eclectic downtown area, the Asheville Crowne Plaza features accommodations that offer more than just a good night’s sleep. Inside this hotel, you will find towering stone walls and a grand stone fireplace with a newly renovated lobby perfect for relaxing with a good book or before your night out on the town.
Why After this election season we obviously need to regroup, get charged back up and start focusing our orange passion on how to turn this whole thing around. And we need some well deserved rest and relaxation with good friends. Grow our network, grow our community.
Goals Promote this meet up vigorously through local blogging, progressive radio, and arrange for local Democratic movers and shakers to attend for speaking and discussion. We will be building a schedule going forward and will update every Saturday as usual on DKos Asheville Open Thread.
Cost The gas it takes to get there and of course, the beer, wine and drinks. As one of our event organizers has noted - we are providing five double rooms with meals, etc, etc, etc at no cost to anyone who'd like to attend from out of town. If more rooms are needed we can add them to the package.
Details Please Kosmail RandallT if you would like to attend and whether or not you will need a room. Let's get local, build this community and help win this next election.
Even though we have to check out by 1:00 PM on Sunday, we will still be welcome to hang out and watch some playoff football!
RSVPs:
1. randallt
2. davehouck
3. Joieau
4. Gordon20024
5. SteelerGrrl
6. SteelerGuy
7. LamontCranston
8. Otteray Scribe
9. Joy of Fishes
10. Burns Lass
11. Mary Beth
Maybees:
IamGumby
smiley7
NBBooks