The day of
my 24th birthday I’d whispered out to the Earth from the top of a
hill in Berkeley: ‘Universe I want to know now what exactly you strive to teach
me’. Hours later, with the night sky for company, I’d venture to meet a friend
at a pop-up civic venture project at Mission and 7th in the Somo
District of San Francisco.
A
four-storey building would reveal everything I’d ever searched for. Free Space
they’d call it, a project for the month of national civic-hacking. A property
owner would decide to pass over his property for a month to some of the most
experienced civic-hackers. Four stories high and spacious, in days they’d
transform the space. Cultural-hacking they’d call it. A massive network of burners and civic-hackers
painted the walls and filled a month’s calendar with more than a 100 free
workshops. Allowing me to taste first-hand what it would feel like to live in a
free-world.
All my
needs were met. I’d attend the contact dance classes, yoga and book-readings.
Rummage through a free-cycle of clothing; I’d find new outfits to replace those
lost on the road. And food-hackers ensured boxes of food were donated in the
second floor kitchen. I’d even find a place to stay just blocks away for free!
The
abundance of social engagement and goods to be shared for free uplifted me to
heights of elation. It was the best gift the universe could give me. After
months of living out of my back-pack to prove some inner intuitive knowing that
humanity can be as free as the birds in the sky… This social-project settled
beyond my imagination my inner-stirring that believed that we could live for
free.
Free with
value and worth. The project would go on to be recognized by the White House
for its innovative nature. And to think all it took was a pure intention, a
wish and a well-placed coincidence for me to discover magic. It was one of
those miraculous experiences that would prove beyond all doubt that all dreams
can be manifested!
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| In front of Free Space in June 2013. This whole wall was painted in less than 10 days for free. Check out the video below to get a virtual tour of the space! You can find me in the video below at 6:29. |
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