2009 Inauguration and Trash Pick Up

Being a non-profit (well, soon to be) Dreem Reality isn't allowed to take any political stances and we wont. But I still would like to talk about the Inauguration and a new project it inspired us to take on.

We spent a whole 24 hours or more in chilly DC, exploring the East Coast culture and really getting to know at least a few streets of the city. It was honestly incredible to see how people of all ages and races were so loving and friendly to each other. I'd have to say that at least for the attendees and work force of DC on Jan 19th and 20th people were more friendly than I have experienced in a lot of California. Especially beautiful was how people of different races interacted as though they were one-in-the-same (which of course...they are!). This may have been primarily due to the fact that there is now an African American President and most people in DC were there to celebrate this! It was truly beautiful.

The energy and community within the thousands and thousands that stood in the DC mall as Obama was sworn in was brilliant. It was wonderful to be a part of. However, I honestly became ashamed of my "fellow Americans" as they quickly stampeded out of the mall when the speeches were done. There was trash EVERYWHERE!

As people cleared out, the wind would pick up and a storm of trash swirled all around the mall. Handwarmers and their wrappers were strewn about every few inches. Newspapers with the newly elected President, the touter of "Change" that all these people had voted for, were fluttering through the sky like flocks of birds. It was very saddening.

So, Dreem Reality took action. I handed a bag to Phoenix and we started picking up every piece of trash we could get our hands on. Our knees got dirty as we crawled around chasing bits of paper flying in the wind and pulling newspapers out from people's feet. One woman bent down and grabbed my face, kissing me on the cheek and thanking me. Others barely moved when they saw me at their feet. Some thought we were park staff and asked us for directions to the metro and Smithsonian. Others made rude comments about not having gloves, or shot back remarks when we asked for help.

Still others, though, came to us with hands full of garbage to put in the bags - thanking us as we thanked them back. A few park staff told us that we were the heroes of the new Presidency, and that this is exactly how change would happen. And eventually we had built a small task force of Dreemers that worked side by side with us, filling one huge garbage back after another. There were three or four in particular that stuck with us - two of which we got their names: Scott and Kathy. Another Dreemer in an Orange shirt and hat even began recycling some of the items, but unfortunately we didn't get his name - thanks goes out to the Universe for him.

It's EXACTLY this type of change we want to make. Through our actions as Dreemers we will inspire others. Sure not everyone, and even some people will actively struggle against change and betterment....but there will be those few people that actually make that difference. And they will in turn go out and inspire MORE people. This is how I feel the world can be changed, in small but significant actions.

Therefore, we have decided that Dreem Reality will take on a new facet of projects revolving around community service through environmental awareness and volunteering. Because in order for our Dreems to come true we need to have a better world for them to exist in, and through volunteering and environmental awareness we can begin to see that change.

Starting the week of February 1st, 2009 we will begin a weekly litter removal walk. It's our hopes that we will be able to get more people to join in our weekly walk, as we inspire through example. Perhaps through a consistent effort and sharing our experience we can spread the walk to other counties, cities, and states!

~Dani