Maria and I have been talking a lot lately about what it means to be political. In our country, it often means joining one of two political parties, or accepting one of two labels (left and right). If you think outside either of those suffocating boxes, then it often seems there is no political place to exist. Even the act of independence is considered a political party, and is.

We have strong beliefs, but labeling ourselves and arguing with people are not among them. I see politics as the shrinking of the American mind. Yet we are political, we have beliefs. So our choice is to live our values, not fight about them. To not argue, but to do good as we see it.

I choose to support the refugees coming to America, I have never argued about it with anyone, and have no intension of doing so. Everyone is and ought to be free to make up their own minds.

For Maria, her politics is her art, it shows up the time in her works that speak to independence, finding voice, and standing in truth. This week, she took one of her creations – the “Show Your Soul” goddess featured in her last quilt, had some posters printed up and we have spent some time these chilly couple of days riding and walking around and putting them up on telephone polls.

They are a statement about finding your ground in a world of division and hostility. Show your soul. As happens sometimes on the Internet, these posters have become a thing. Lots of people want them and are asking to buy them.

Maria plans to have them printed on heavier paper and to sell them when she returns from India, she hasn’t yet figured out a price or a format. Obviously, no time to do that now. But I see they are powerful, and they speak to many people. Maria lives her values, she shows her soul every day and I was quite proud to be her driver and helper. More to come. Stand by.