Tuesday, November 15, 2016

One Foot, and Then The Other

Make a Difference

Sometimes you just put one foot in front of the other, even if you don't know where you're going.”
Thinking Out Loud Website

Have you ever kicked a fire-ant mound? You know when you do that you'd better back up fast, because they swarm out in every direction with only one intent—to pop a big ol' sting on you anywhere they can. That's kind of how this moment feels to me. It stings...everywhere.

First of all, we have had almost sixty days without rain. The earth, and all the people, are in the valley of dry bones. My dogs run through the back yard with a cloud of dust in their wake. They come inside and leave brown stains and dead leaves on the rug. Second, the President Elect has just named a White Supremacist, who says that Feminism is a cancer, as his Chief Counsel. Third, my cousin just sent me a photo of the my precious Nantahala gorge engulfed in flames. This is a desert moment if ever there was one.

So what can be done? First of all, instead of swarming around like fire ants, we can take some deep breaths and ask ourselves, “What can I do? What is in my heart to do? How can I make a difference? Once you've decided, do that. My friend, Becky, has organized a “call your representatives” movement on Facebook. She's providing numbers and names. Author and physician, Jean Shinoda Bolan, is circulating a petition in support of the United Nations World Conference on Women. You can find a link to that on her Facebook page. Another friend of mine has joined the national Environmental Council. Others are marching and protesting. I write, both to you, and to my Congressmen and Senators. You do what you can.

Sometimes putting one foot in front of the other is the best thing to do, and it's important to do exactly that. Do the next thing, go that extra mile; don't procrastinate, don't make excuses, don't throw up your hands and give up. Putting one foot in front of the other is how you climb a mountain, how you cross a continent, and how you make a difference.

                                                            In the Spirit,
                                                               Jane



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