¿A qué te dedicas?

A statue of the Buddha in the Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park, October 2015

How many times have you been asked, "So, what do you do?" Since becoming intentionally unemployed, I have realized just how often I am asked this question. Meeting new people. In classes, both in-person and online. During conversations that spring up in lines at grocery stores or on public transit. Volunteering. At a birthday party or happy hour. Traveling. In other words, almost every single time I leave the house and interact with people.

In my Spanish studies, I have learned that a common way to ask this question is, "¿A qué te dedicas?" If one were to translate that back into English, word for word, it would become, "To what are you dedicated?" or "What do you dedicate yourself to?"

In general, I know when someone asks, "¿A qué te dedicas?" they are asking, "What's your job?" And most of the time that's the question one should answer. But, the thing that I love about learning and studying another language is how it changes how you look and think about everything. When I ask myself, "What do you dedicate yourself to?" my perspective shifts.

I am dedicated to learning Spanish and becoming a fluent speaker. To supporting walking, biking and transit as safe, reliable and useful means of transportation in my city. To loving and supporting my friends and family. To practicing gratitude, self-compassion and self-care in my life. To dismantling patriarchy and white privilege in myself, my community and my institutions. To reading and learning about the world and universe. To writing in order to learn about myself.

¿Y tú? A qué te dedicas?