Now is the time.  We are all about to cast our votes, to be the deciders.  I am reading a book called Ruling your World by Sakyong Mipham.  Today’s chapter is about exertion – moving into action.  Without exertion, he says, our ideas and minds are like a canoe with no paddles.

That is why I am out here, canvassing, phone calling, doing what I can do to support Barack Obama.  It is humble work. There is no part of it that is about me, about being a choreographer, a dancer, about good reviews or lots of followers.  It is about connection, conversation, and just putting one foot in front of another in support of something I feel passionately about.  Surprisingly, it is not about anger or righteousness, it is about appreciation, joy and love.

When I encounter someone angry or combative, I do not engage or take it personally.  When I meet someone who is undecided, I do not bombard them with a stream of facts.  I ask them what they are concerned about.  I do my best to provide good answers.  Many times, I tell them my story.  I tell them that I am out because I have daughters, because I do not want them to have to fight the battles for equality and reproductive choice that we of my generation fought decades ago.  I say that equality IS an economic issue, that social equality is the basis of a sound economy.  And then I tell them to make the best decision they can and have a great day.

I always carry in my mind an image of Barack Obama, of his great heart, his integrity and honesty, his values of social equality, compassion and helping all people to have a better life.  When the focus is on the human, rather than the accumulation of more personal wealth and power, we are pointed in the right direction.

Exertion means not sitting at home hoping things will go well.  It means putting one foot in front of another, and doing the humble little tasks that it takes to be a foot soldier.  That is what I am asking each of you to do now.

Move into action:  make a phone call, knock on a door, help someone to the polls. Call your local Obama office and ask if they need help with anything.  Put your heart into your feet, you hands, your voice and move.  You can do it!  Here is how:  http://my.barackobama.com/What-You-Can-Do

Up at 4am.  Out the door by 4:50.  In Concord, NH by 5:30.  Cold, very cold.  Hand warmers being distributed to volunteers.  I put them in my boots.  We are to be inside ushers, which means that once people go through security, we are directing them  – blue tickets this way, white and e-tickets, this way.  My particular job is to help people who need disabled seating.

The music is wonderful and I am dancing – to keep warm and because dancing feels good.  Good morning, I say and dance-direct people this way, that way.  Good morning they say and dance back.  Smiles, excitement, community, movement – it is all infectious.  We are happy to be here, happy to be coming together to see these wonderful men.

Before President Clinton appears, there is a big cheer as the snipers on the rooftops make their appearance.  Big gun cases, massive binoculars, vigilant.  Then there is a flock of secret service near the entrance, they take their places and suddenly there he is!  Silvery hair, that wonderful smile.  We listen, we cheer.  He is clear, funny, and as President Obama says, the Secretary of Explaining Stuff.  He introduces POTUS.  We are swallowed in cheers, in waving, in face-cracking smiles.

The President is so clear, so passionate, so real, that I cannot imagine why anyone would even think of voting for anyone else.  To me, he is a Bottisatva – a wisdom being, a goodness being – pure and generous. An embodiment of right action and right thought

At the end, I squeeze myself like a slippery flounder toward the front.  I want to shake their hands, I want to say thank you thank you thank you.  Bill Clinton is first, and his hand is soft and surprisingly small.  He looks at me and says, bless you.  Barack Obama’s hand is large, angular, and I am so close to that brilliant smile.  He grasps the hand of a small boy next to me who says to him, you are my favorite.  No, you are my favorite, he says, and disappears from view.

Tomorrow (I am writing this Saturday night) I will be about this close to the President.  I am volunteering at a Clinton-Obama rally in Concord, NH, and my job allows me to be pretty close to the stage.  I am beside myself with excitement.  I will be up at 4:00 and there by 5:30 am.  Hopefully I will be able to sleep tonight!

Besides the warm clothes, gloves, scarves, hats and my iPhone, my pockets will be stuffed with Kleenex because I am sure that I will weep.  I love this man.  To me, he is an incarnation of all that is great and good in this country.  I did not think that I would ever see a leader of such integrity, heart and courage in my lifetime.

Every day that I canvas, with each house that I visit, each phone call I make, I remember his great effort and I strive to meet and support that in the best way that I can.  Have I been disappointed in the past?  Yes, but I have also seen him course correct on issues of marriage equality and gays in the military.   i have seen him grow.  Watching him campaign, I have felt his heart and his honesty.

So tomorrow, I have the gift of standing in that presence, receiving that energy.  By the time you read this, it will be today, and I will be there.

I have a practice that I do with canvassing.  I noticed that I was doing it without thinking about it – that is effortlessly – and that I was doing it all day, with every house, without exception.  It is what makes the door-knocking flow, keeps me going, nourishes a sense of optimism and eagerness.

As I approach a house, I notice something nice, some small pleasing detail that makes me feel good about that particular house.  Maybe it is the rich green of the moss between the walkway stones, or some crysanthemums arranged on the front steps.  Perhaps it is the way the light strikes the trees, or a flock of small birds that flew out of some holly bushes. Welcome signs make me feel welcome. I find something to like, something that makes me happy as I approach the door.  By the time I ring the bell or knock, I am smiling, inside and out.  I do this with the biggest most elegant houses and the smallest and shabbiest.  Everywhere has something to savor.

Yesterday, we came across this tree with its astonishing harvest of crab apples.  An appreciation bonus!