Faith in Humanity

I don't know about you, but I'm still exhausted from the state of politics, the POS excuse of a leader our country has, and the state of violence, racism, and hatred in society.  Every day I log onto social media or read the news, I feel a bit depressed, angry, and defeated.  I don't want to ignore the work that needs to be done in the world because we have a long way to go, but I do want to take a moment to highlight some of the good in the world lately.

It is my hope you will read these stories and be inspired to keep fighting for what's right, spreading kindness, and building strength to keep speaking up against injustice.

Waffle House Hero

Black Men Arrested at Starbucks

Ryan Shazier

There are so many stories of inspiration lately.  From the students standing up against gun violence to the teachers who are fighting for the wages they deserve, there's a lot to feel empowered by.  Start small if you have to, but stay strong and keep looking for the good - it will inspire you to do more and believe that you can achieve big things if you just have the courage to try.

Loud Mouth

I'm not one of those people who can stay quiet.  I don't mind my own business.  When I see injustices - whether it pertains to me or not - I speak up.  This has definitely gotten me in trouble a number of times.  It's made my journeys in life, in relationships, and at work - often harder than they have to be.  

I'm not really sure if it's a good or bad trait to have.  Sometimes, it's utterly exhausting.  I have spent many hours wishing I could be different.  At the end of the day - good or bad - I was born with an inherent need to speak up.

Quite honestly - I don't know many people who feel the way I feel about speaking up.  Sure, we are in a time of social and political activism and I have a lot of friends who thankfully feel the need to stand against those injustices.  But in the everyday world, I don't know a lot of people who say back off to the bullies, who tell their bosses when things aren't right, who say this is small but it's not right and I don't want to put up with it.

Realistically, life would be a lot easier if I let the little things go.  Certainly my life would be a little bit smoother if I was able to sit back and shut up.  I wholeheartedly wish I could.  Maybe some day I'll grow and mature and that's where it stems from.  And yet, another part of me feels a bit of pride fighting for the little things so that one day, maybe they'll stop the big things.  

Do any of you know disruptive people in your life?  What do you think about the incessant need to speak up?  

Action

Being passionate about the world is where it starts.  Standing up as an open supporter of a movement is brave.  But where the real change starts is with action.  I'm as passionate as they come when it comes to the hate, racism, sexism, bigotry (etc. etc.) that's going on right now.  But what am I, what are WE doing to change the way the world is?

On social media we are all very active in spreading the word, and that's great to open up the dialogue, but now we need to act on those words.  In that vain I'd like to provide you with some outlets to DO.

1.   Write a Check

Pick your favorite cause, your passion project, and put your money where your mouth is.  Research which organizations are out there putting their legal, political, and celebrity influences in the world to effect real change.  Give whatever you can, it adds up.  

2. Give Time

We don't all have the funds to make donations.  Give time.  Are you a doctor?  A lawyer?  Someone with a special skill that can provide real assistance?  Find an organization that needs these talents and give an hour, give two hours, give a day.  Aren't equipped to save lives?  Neither am I!  But I can plan events for charities for FREE.  I can help brand their campaigns.  I can also simply pitch in and do the grunt work.

3.  Be Active in Your Activism

This one is SO easy.  Call, write, TWEET your local elected officials.  Let them know what you want to see in place.  These people work for US and if they stop listening to us, they lose their jobs.  But this only happens if people are doing their part to be heard. 

4. Be a Good Human

This is the easiest one.  Simply be kind.  Get outside and talk to the people around you.  Become informed about their lives and their struggles and triumphs.  Honk less.  Hold the door open more.  Smile everywhere you go. We are ALL fighting different battles.  We are ALL important.  But the more we hide behind social media, the less we come together and understand what those battles are and the less we value anyone else.  

5. Show Up

Every day there are marches and rallies and open forums.  Show up.  Be present for yourself and for others.  

6. Educate Yourself

This is huge.  There is so much information out there.  A lot of it unfortunately just isn't real.  Do yourself a favor and do the research - have real facts on what you're passionate about.  Speak from an informed place when you talk to others about these issues.  Don't fall victim to the crap you see out there.  Misinformation is 98% of our problem right now.  

There are so many other ways to ACT, DO, and EFFECT CHANGE!  The point is, don't think that simply talking about it on social media is making you a productive member of the movement for change.  We can talk at each other all day long, but until the masses decide to DO, we won't see any real change in America.  You have to decide if its important enough to you to make a difference.