The Action Challenge: Sleep Outside

Yesterday was the day of The Action Challenge where all willing participants would get together and sleep outside in recognition of those who do so every night.

Here's what I wrote in my journal:

I'm sitting here in Seven Palms waiting for everyone else to show up. It's just me and one other person in a small field, but the absence of people make it seem large and empty. If no one shows up, will I stay? If I knew this would be the case beforehand, would I have come?

All I brought with me was my sleeping bag, a journal, and a phone that's low on battery in the hopes that it will last long enough to serve as my alarm. Maybe I should have brought my Bible. I should have definitely brought my Bible.

Sleeping outside never scared me. That is, until people started wishing me luck. All of a sudden I was brave for being willing to experience something that some people live through everyday. For some people outside is all they have. The stars don't even shine on them in LA.

I can't be brave for doing this once in a controlled environment. I can't be brave for pretending.

All I want to do is get some sleep, but people keep walking by. People keep looking. But I can't be mad because I'm just as guilty. I do it all the time. As much as my heart bleeds for people who don't have a home, I still see them as them. I'm not like them. I'll pray for them. I'll help them.

I can't change the world in one night. I'm not even sure that what I'm doing can do anything, for me or anyone. But I'll still fall asleep here.

No one else has showed up yet, but I don't think I care anymore.

People showed up and I didn't sleep well. I woke up wet and cold with only one other person left in the field. I packed up my stuff and went back to my apartment and into my bed. Last night broke a little piece of me and I don't know which.

It's not too late to sign up for The Action Challenge.