Burningman has Changed Me...

[theCryptofishist]

Finish the sentence. This might be an "Open Discussion" topic, because I perfectly well accept things like "Because now I am suspicious of the practices of any institution that uses a lot of volunteer labor" and "Because now I carry baby wipes where ever I go" as much (or more) as "Because I met my soul mate at Jiffy Lube."

I prefer actual things, but I know that this thread will have drifted by the time there have been five posts.
(If it gets that far...)

[junglesmacks]

..because now Viking helmets aren't just for breakfast anymore.

[moonrise]

and: "It feels so good" (just ask James Brown, ooh yeah)

}}--)))*> Fishy~ In Living Color

[Drawingablank]

Because I no longer leave the house without an altoids tin.

[trilobyte]

I think it fits here, since it's the experience of Burning Man that's been the agent of change, so to speak. Of course things get dodgy if/when those who haven't actually been yet start chiming in, but it's still the idea of Burning Man behind it.

Responding to your question, for me it was more an affirmation of ideas and beliefs than it was something that changed me. But sketching out a before & after picture, here's what I come up with. Before, I used to work a corporate job - after, not so much. Before, I spent a lot of leisure time as a passive spectator (lots of tv watching, movie-going), now I still enjoy those things on occasion, but leisure time now involves doing/making/designing things. Before, I used to always wear a watch. I took it off as we approached BRC in 2004, and haven't worn one since. I've got some camp symbols tattooed on me as well (and planning to get another soon), I suppose that's additional change.

[theCryptofishist]

Well, tattoos and scarification do go with rites of passage. (Not the theme)

[shroom]

.......it's now ok to leave the phone and email alone for 24 hours or more. Nothing bad will happen!

[Sail Man]

because I now know one place where I fit in.

[mgb327]

by showing me that the curtain that obscures the window into the spiritual world can be opened. The energy at the Temple last year was undeniable.

[gaminwench]

... I carry a goblet wherever I go...

[Dr Helix]

...because I found out what being in love is supposed to feel like. And it feels wonderful.

[Simon of the Playa]

i used to have a Job and wore $1000 Hickey-Freeman Suits.

[pink]

...I'm no longer self-conscious of my body or shy about being naked in public. The things I used to fear don't bother me anymore. I live more in today than in the past or future. And even in my work world I've gotten the attitude of 'I'm going to be myself, and if you can't deal with me, too fucking bad'. Did lose my job over that, but it was the best thing that could have happened!

[illy dilly]

... because it taught me that you don't have to know how to do something to get it done. You just have to be willing to try, and fail, and try again, and keep trying tell you figure it out.

[organizedchaos]

because now I know to keep my fucking mouth shut when I find a good thing

[mgb327]

because now I know to keep my fucking mouth shut when I find a good thing

So true, I have learned that lesson well.

[Ano]

because now I am happier than ever to be me. I felt alive for the first time one day in the middle of BRC, and since then, I haven't stopped breathing.

[pizzamancer]

because pizza

[Sail Man]

I haven't stopped breathing.

Make's my job easier

[Simon of the Playa]

when i lit myself on fire.

[Foxfur]

...because when I say "I want to play with fire!" all my friends say "Yay!" instead of checking their insurance policies.

[CaffeineGirl]

....because now I hang out with Foxfur.

[Ugly Dougly]

I learned to not worry and enjoy being doomed.

[AntiM]

... because I feel beautiful, in, out and sideways, and all my friends are beautiful.

[Simon of the Playa]

because it made me imagine, again.

[Roberto Dobbisano]

suddenly, i feel the urge to wear a cardigan sweater.

[Elorrum]

I saw a little girl at an adult party last week, and she was just running around the outside of a small two bedroom house... shrieking, laughing, and getting the other kids to follow her. "It's chasing us!!!" She was having a ball, just doing rounders over and over around the outside of the house with other little kids trailing after her. I'm certain she wouldn't be able to imagine herself sitting for hours in a chair talking quietly. I was trying to remember that running fun, what it meant to just RUN around.

I thought, Burning Man is the closest I can get to that for now. It hasn't changed me, but I think it reverts me back to a more open and curious and entertained state. I can be myself and just have that sort of fun.

[MyDearFriend]

I let go of my watch too, Trilo.

I threw away most of my shoes and all of my pantyhose, because I am never going to pretend to be that person again. And my earrings never match, because I only ever need one P-38.

I have been scooped out or shaved thin or something. Burned like velvet? Hard to say. What's left are the real bits that do not give one fuck for social bullshit. Very liberating.

And mgb327: Yes. Yes, indeed. Be amazed.

[jella]

I had forgotten how to be..simply be. When your completly rejuvinated body and soul and being surrounded by people felling the same way.

Happy Burn I love that saying !

[Foxfur]

It has given me better insights towards humanity. Not in a woo-woo way but to see that everybody has the capacity for weirdness and absurdity.
Some of us just know how to display it with panache and aplomb.