Energy flows where intention goes

Donald L. Hammen

This column is leading with me fondly remembering Adam Schindler, a favorite acupuncturist of mine when he was practicing at Everspring Health in Uptown. At that time, he knew I was starting to write Stories and Journeys. He was around long enough to read the column a few times. Today he is living in Northfield. He has his own private practice, Cannon River Acupuncture whose logo includes the words 'Energy Flows Where Intention Goes.' I am leading with those words playing over and over in my mind.

The photo for this column fits the theme protest and resistance the beat goes on. It could read energy flows where protest and resistance intentions go. Such was the case on Feb. 19 before the monthly meeting of the Minneapolis Regional Retirees Council (AFL-CIO). The photo for this column was taken by retiree council brother and Seward resident Tom Beer. We, along with other union retirees, participated in a pop-up protest in front of the United Labor Centre (312-Central Ave. SE).

In one hand, I am holding a Minnesota state flag Ice Out sign. In my other hand, I am holding on to one end of the Minneapolis Regional Retiree Council banner with my walker behind me in case I lose my balance. I believe that protesting and resisting are for the long haul until ICE and the Border Patrol are dismantled and re-constructed under a democratic administration. And if you have read this far you have taken the plunge into the river (flow) of life experiences which is Stories and Journeys.

COMMON SENSE. WHAT IS IT? I SURE DON’T KNOW
It has always been my intention to write about me and common sense. It’s Saturday, March 14. I’m watching the replay of the Twin Cities PBS public affairs show Almanac. During what is called the political panel segment I heard the words common sense three times as the reason I should believe what the speaker was saying. Really? I said to myself. You believe that what you are saying is common sense is why I should believe you?

When I hear the words common sense used in that way I ask myself: Does the speaker know what these words mean? Whose version of common sense? It would help me if the speaker would say, "in my opinion, this is common sense." I think my issue is this: quit using the words common sense as if you believed there was a common understanding of what common sense means. I don’t know and your using the words common sense is not helping you make your point with me.

So, dear reader, consider this a cry for help coming from me. What do the words common sense mean to you? Do you share my issue? I’m drawing a blank here. You can tell yourself and leave it at that or tell others or help me out and tell me via tesha@tmcpub.com.

DEMOCRACY ACTION COMMITTEE AT MINNEAPOLIS REGIONAL RETIREE COUNCIL (AFL-CIO)
Tim Mungavin (chairperson), Deb Wolking and myself live in Greater Longfellow. Tom Beer and Rita Doucet live in Seward. Some live in Southwest Minneapolis. We are members of this newly formed committee. Recently this committee held a Zoom meeting to consider “age appropriate” ways retirees can participate in pro democracy actions. The pop-up protest mentioned earlier in this column is one example. The upcoming No Kings Rally on March 28 might work for some people. Other actions under consideration involve civil disobedience. Energy flows where intention goes. Stay tuned.

As for myself I’ve started thinking about more protests I can do from my front yard.

ELDER VOICES
I will be at Fireroast Cafe (3800 37th Ave S), 10 to 11a.m. on the last Friday of each month. This is a new meet-up location for the dates of March 27, April 24 and May 22 (not the last Friday). Look for the table with the Elder Voices sign. I am stepping away from Elder Voices at Turtle Bread to take what I have learned to explore other venues for doing Elder Voices including at least one in southwest Minneapolis. I will be taking with me "The Inner Work of Age: Shifting from Role to Soul" by Connie Zweig. There is a core group of regulars who are going to continue Elder Voices at Turtle Bread. For now look for Sylvia Gonzalez, and a table with an Elder Voices sign.
Stay safe everyone.

Donald L. Hammen is a longtime south Minneapolis resident, and serves on the All Elders United for Justice Board of Directors.