They say enlightenment is living without attachment to the outcome.
Call me spiritually stunted, but I’m DEVOTED to the outcome –
knowing full well that it’s going to be
riddled with plot twists
new lovers
with body parts
I didn’t expect
and quite possibly
a perfectly precious
and anticlimactic
ending.
“If it be your will
That a voice be true
From this broken hill
I will sing to you.”
–Leonard Cohen, If It Be Your Will
I treat my illogical impulses with reverence –
because, truly, when have my instincts ever been wrong?
I’ll deliver the most encouraging NO you’ve ever heard.
And we’ll both be softer, kinder, richer for it.
I can tell you I LOVE YOU –
hear nothing but echoes –
and SURVIVE.
“I long to feel my heart
Burned open wide
Till nothing else remains
Except the fires from which I came.”
–VNV Nation, Nova
This is extremely important:
If I’m out in public
with anything less than
cosmic-WOW hair,
something is terribly wrong.
I seek professional help
where I need it most –
namely, my spiritual growth,
and anything involving
sharp knives, circuit breakers
and small motor skills.
I rarely ask permission
for anything I want
but when I’m ready to marry
I’ll probably seek
his // or // her
father’s blessing.
“I said why walk alone
Why worry when it’s warm over here
You got so much to say
Say what you mean
Mean what you’re thinkin’
And think anything.”
–Cat Stevens, Can’t Keep It In
I am a teacher,
simply by telling the truth.
I stand for love, liberty,
and the pursuit of ecstatic self-expression.
I’m living proof:
there are no absolutes.
Gray is the most beautiful color.
“You pull me like the moon pulls on the tide
You know just where I keep my better side.”
–Richard Thompson, Dimming of the Day
Let’s be poems and hymns.
Let’s yield to our impossibles.
Let’s make today our never.
And let’s make art together.
You can read my 2011 manifesto right here –
and my 2010 manifesto over here.
Have an exceptional year.
Dearest Alex, you are Radiance, a poem, a hymn, an anthem of devotion. May 2012 be the year of Great Homecoming, for you and all you love.
xoxo Hiro
Your manifesto’s are absolutely brilliant. I love reading them and seeing how you evolve with them.
Just fabulous. Truly.
And amazing hair is always appropriate.
Amazing, as always!
Quotes from Leonard Cohen always make my heart flip.
Oh, how I love this. I, too, have long held that gray is the most beautiful color – it felt refreshing to see someone else say it.
Wishing you an exceptional, heart-bursting 2012.
P.S. You know who has amazing hair? Zoë Keating. Check her out if you haven’t already.
So beautiful!
My manifesto is further inspired by you and still brewing….
Wishing you a 2012 with fireworks, freedom and lovely tea.
* Grace * xxxx
P.S also magic wand waving, naturally.
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This is so inspiring – love how you write as always.
Also, I love that Cat Stevens song!
May your year be blessed with lots of amazing opportunities, radiant colours and quirky people! ;)
Alex Unicorn?
Your 2012 manifesto was so marvelous that it gave me shivers!! My 2012 plan is slightly similar. Sort of. In a way. My plan for 2012 is to let go of the plan, and in doing so, stumble into a revolution against the tyranny of expectations. There will be (there already is!) a little more kindness, re-evaluation of priorities, and trust, and a little less guilt and uncompromising belief in accomplishing xyz in precisely this yzx way, and by zxy arbitrary age/time. I, uh, outline all of this a fair bit more coherently in my Goodbye 2011, Welcome 2012 post: http://theheightoflife.com/?p=421
May the year of 2012 truly be a year of Party Time! Excellent!
HIRO BOGA :: ♡ ♡ ♡
EMMA :: Thank you! It’s astounding to look back at previous manifestos, and see where I’ve transformed — and where I haven’t. Like looking at old love letters…
JUSTME :: Always & forever.
STORM JAMES :: Leonard is the Man.
MARI HUERTAS :: Zoë DOES have amazing hair! And what a talent!
GRACE QUANTOCK :: Can’t wait to see your fully-brewed manifesto. Or even just a sip.
MARTHE :: Many thanks. I seem to be attracting ever-increasing numbers of quirksters. Always a bonus.
KYLIE :: “A Revolution Against the Tyranny of Expectations” = the title of your (first) memoir. Please.
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