By caring for your Howl.
Howl. In addition to "Arooooo!", the word may also bring to mind Allen Ginsberg's famous 1955 Beat poem. He opposed capitalism, but please watch this video anyway, AnCap friends. He is brilliant and poetic as he exposes the immoral power of government... describing the State as:
"...Moloch whose soul is electricity and banks! Moloch who frightened me out of my natural ecstasy!"
Watch. At the very least, it'll refresh your synaptic nerves, and top off your creative juices, as that's exactly what great poetry does!
Your Howl is a deep, COMMUNICATIVE URGE.
I think it's safe to say most of us here on Steemit have that urge :-) And for whatever reason, the platform is mighty conducive to self-exploration and self-expression. Other social media sites are busy being:
- Reductionistic: 140 censored characters, to be precise;
- Controlling: Download messenger! While we play algorithmic peek-a-boo with your friends!; and
- Troll-saturated: Love ya YouTube, but those commenters, tho!
And while Steemit isn't perfect, yet, we are enjoying a beautiful ad-free space (at least for now), where long-form writing, mature sensibilities and personal genius is THRIVING. Content consumers are now creating out the wazoo. People feel inspired, innovative, introspective, incentivized.
Show me your soul, and I'll show you mine. <--- Duck-face selfies are cute, but c'mon... is this not a refreshing change?! To add vulnerability, confession, dreams, failures, and whatever other human aspects we'd like to have with our deeper social media experience. Ooooh, yes... I've been craving something like this for a very long time. And I accept responsibility TO ADD THE PARTS I WANT TO SEE! A writer's group? A psychonaut's lounge? Well, yes... why the hell not? But back to our four-legged teacher... Though a nocturnal species, the wolf actually does NOT howl because of a full moon.
The wolf howls because it has something to communicate.
I know, I anthropomorphize. (It's fun, you should try it!) But there IS correspondence between why wolves howl, and why human creators should, too. Here are three tasks we share:
1. Wolves howl to assemble their pack.
I joined Steemit one week ago, and still have a lot to learn. But I'm already clear on where I most enjoy hanging out... which is in the positive mindspace of those who value love, freedom, joy, wholeness and success. I have 'followed' those whose howl I heard, and vibe with. This post, and my previous 7, are all howls to attract my resonant folks.
2. Wolves howl to sound an alarm.
More and more often, reality is requiring us to quickly integrate catastrophic information... and then get into helpful positions for others. This kind of howl is to mobilize, moreso than socialize.
3. Wolves howl to locate each other in a new territory (like Steemit), or during a storm (like the coming US presidential election).
Tags really help with this locating function... especially in a sea of posts that's increasing by the day. Choosing a few topics/tags you'd really like to shine in, like 'anarchism,' 'writing' or 'life,' for example, seems a good way to more quickly connect with your content family.
The only things NOT to do with your howl, are ignore, deny or whisper it. Throw your head back. Raise your voice. Say your things.
Follow me at @erikaharris. Now living in Acapulco, via Chicago, I write about the cultivated inner life + liberated outer life. I also advocate the (re)joining of plants + people, because green minds grok better.
"The only things NOT to do with your howl, are ignore, deny or whisper it." love this part! I have only been on Steemit about a week as well and it is definitely a very vulnerable feeling to show my thoughts and beliefs on some subjects. But it is also very liberating!
Your post makes me feel more secure - that this platform is the place to bear my soul. Thank you!
This place is made even better by what you bear, @mscleverclocks! Am following, and look forward to more of your work + words, Bright One.
Love the idea of 'caring for my howl,' and viewing it as a way to connect with my "tribe" in this rapidly growing sphere. Look forward to seeing more from you in my feed.
Aloha, @venusdehilo, and thanks! Your art + quilts are amazing. Followed back.
Another excellent post, Erika. I love reading your work.