haha, my mom just came up to me and said, "I think your dad has been a better person because of what you gave him on Christmas eve. How many days can it last?" I told her it can last a lifetime if you gained wisdom and perspective, and believe in them. He just needed to learn how to relax without escaping, to back out of the corner that no one put him in but himself, to be present within a moment enough to see the world from a more positive, open perspective. His brother asked me for the tea and later said he went to play badminton and won two games. He was so excited. "I never win!" he said, "And I won twice in a row!" I gave it to him again on Christmas eve and checked on him later, asking him how he felt. He gave me this smile that lit up the room and said, "Happy!" My cousin said he was super nice the day he tried the tea, even taking the time to teach a kid how to shoot a basketball. I told him it often brings out the best in people, because you see the world in such an interconnected way, and you really want to be good and do good. You can't look at it like the herb changes you, but that the herb allows you to recognize yourself, and bring out the best (truest) form of yourself. It's not the herb, it's you.

For me, it's not about medicating people for short-term effects. I won't give it to people to numb themselves (except people who have cancer to help with pain). I don't agree with using this as a drug for escapism. This is about empowerment, not crutches. It's about showing them a different perspective, seeing themselves as more holistic and powerful, seeing how they can reach their potential. It's not about a short-term chemical effect. It's about creating space to recognize yourself and your potential, to go after openings that will help you be the person you've always wanted to be, go after the life you've wanted. Stop using so much energy to fight or feed fear and anxiety...open up yourself to efficiently use your efforts towards positive changes and attainment.

My mom said to me the other day that when they legalize it across the boards, she sees me as becoming some kind of healer and spiritual leader. I smiled inside. That's exactly one of my long-term goals.