Ozzy & Oigy, Maripat’s 4-legged babies, 2014
Maripat: Don’t take things personally, laugh as
much as possible, drop unrealistic expectations,
focus on the positive and remember that it’s neurological wiring, not a subversive plot. And when
you do all these things, give me a call, because I
always need to be reminded of them, too.
Okay, before we give you your kettle corn back,
how about answering these just-for-fun
questions:
Zoom: Coffee or tea?
Maripat: Yes, please.
Zoom: Dog or cat?
Maripat: Both.
Zoom: Cake or ice cream?
Maripat: Can I say cookies?
Zoom: Mountains or beach?
Maripat: Mountains.
Zoom: Movies or reading?
Maripat: Both, in copious amounts.
Zoom: And last but not least, if you could have
any super power, what would it be and why?
Maripat: The super power of acceptance—to
work hard toward solutions while relinquishing
outcomes. That doesn’t mean we don’t need activism. There are unacceptable situations playing
out all over, and we need to fight for the rights of
those who can’t fight for themselves.
It’s paradoxical, but once I’ve done everything
I can about something, and I surrender the outcome of that work, it opens up the space for
other forces to come into play. People can’t help
if we don’t create the space for them to do so.
I’ve learned that every difficulty I endure can be
turned into a positive by helping others face the
same issues. From that principle comes all my
peace, strength and purpose.