Frustrating frustration

I sit in a coffee shop often, pretending to study, looking at people walk, talk, interact, and begin to wonder and imagine the lives they've lived, the dreams they've had, the things they love, the things they love to hate. I often get caught up in listening to conversations and think why do some people live in frustration?

I sit and listen to discussions on politics, school policies, movies, friends, family, work, and most of what is talked about is what the person hates about whatever they are talking about. Why President Bush is the worst president ever and Senator Obama will lead us into the warm arms of the anti-christ if he isn't him himself. I think of Gandhi writing "become the change we want to see. ... be willing to surrender what you are for what you could become" and I consider the idea that if I am not willing to shoulder the responsibility of seeing change, then I am not in position to denounce or condemn.

I want to be a frustrator of the frustrated. I want joy and peace to be the tattoos of my life, unable to take them off. I want to swim upstream, I want life.

I am going to be the change I want to see; I am going to live as I want to become; I am going to be free.