show me:

How to lead with LOVE.

How to win with LOVE.

This was my prayer this morning as I finished my meditation. The prayer had been preceded by a rather tumultuous 20 minutes of trying to breathe through a storm of rough emotions, as they bubbled over and around in my early morning bedhead.

The truth is, what I've really been feeling lately, is Anger. Hate. Fear. Helplessness.

I've been crying a lot; feeling like Trump's Hate Machine is too big, too rich, too powerful a beast to destroy.

Also knowing, still, that Donald Trump has nothing to do with the root of the problem. He certainly isn't the cause of all this dis-unity in our "united" states. He is merely the face of it now. But it's always been here. I think it was just easier for me to ignore the painful, fearful shadows in our nation's community when I felt our leader was on the side of love, equality, and preservation of Mother Earth.

well, the bubble has burst

Here is my truth now:

Anger. Fear. Hate. Helplessness.

This is okay (I remind myself). Just feelings passing through. Let them come.

Let them go.

and in the meantime

I continue looking for ways to CONNECT.

Start Small: Meditation. Yoga. Healthy food. Lots of sleep.

Focus: on what, in his farewell letter, Mr. Obama called "daily acts of citizenship." (Meaning: be a good f*cking person.)

Here are some daily acts of citizenship I am going aim for:

• Bring a garbage bag with me on all my walks down the beach and pick up trash.
• Just do it: roll down the window and give the person on the corner a few bucks. I know. I've read so many fucking studies on why this isn't "effective" but we're all just human beings, doing the best we can, and I'm sick of looking the other way and pretending "I'm" not ONE with "them." It's not about the money, and it's not about making a judgement on how it gets spent. It's about having some spare cash, and giving it to someone who doesn't. Because, LOVE.
• Put my phone down in public and look around. How can I help? Answer someone's question about directions? Help a mom with full arms get her groceries out to her car? Let merging traffic merge?
• Listen. I want to ask more questions, and stay tuned in long enough to really, truly understand the answers--even if they're uncomfortable.
• Call my Representatives. Every Monday. I'll study up on their agenda for the week, and voice my opinion on the measures that matter to me.
• Volunteer. I'm blessed with a lifestyle that affords me free time. Does anyone have any suggestions?
• At work: Spread kindness. Grow the community. Be an honorable spokesperson for LOVE.

Look: I know I'm not perfect. I know there will be bad days. I know there will be periods where I just don't care. But I'm going to do my best.

Be HELPFUL | Be KIND | Be GENEROUS | Be FEARLESS

Who's with me?

-J