October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. An issue of incredible significance and relevance. It is represented by the color purple. This color and the month of October (together and apart) are assigned to represent so many important causes. Every year I choose to recognize Domestic Violence Awareness because of how much it means to me. And while it has the majority of my attention and efforts, there are a number of things I still support which is what got me thinking about how we pick the causes we support, are active leaders in, or just talk about for a moment...
The issue with issues, is that there are SO many... At least that's what it seems and feels like. It's all too easy to get worked up about all that's plaguing this world. So worked up in fact, that we get overwhelmed and end up doing absolutely nothing about any of it. Funny how that works huh?..... It's essentially how news works. You sit in front of the TV, headlines flashing and changing every 40 seconds, giving you enough of a story to evoke great emotion, but not enough to stir you to move or act. Short attention spans are catered to, and revolutionary spirits are stifled.
Or maybe you have the fire, the passion, and will to make a difference but you're struggling to figure out how, where, or for what cause. After all there's plenty, and of course they ALL MATTER right? It can be hard on the mind, heart, and spirit deciding who and what to advocate for and how to advocate at all.
Here's the thing though. Whether you serve as a member on a handful of committees or as the leader of one, you are taking action... you are advocating. Between flood/hurricane efforts, gun control, "Me Too", world hunger (yep still a thing), homelessness, sex trafficking, healthcare, civil rights, police brutality, political/voting apathy, and the long list of things that are happening in the world today, it's obvious we can't ALL be at the front of every cause that means something to us. But that's no reason or excuse to limit your efforts. If there were more of us simply showing up to the things that we care about, even if we care about it a little less than something else, that's still something.
Instead, we either jump from current issue to current issue, not realizing that most "past' issues are still happening or affecting people (despite no longer being covered by the news) OR we talk ourselves out of taking any real action and let apathy rule in the name of "not being able to help". But this is unacceptable.
Feeling guilty for not being 100% involved in things discourages action and participation when opportunity is present. You don’t have to be captain of all the support teams to be a part of the conversations surrounding those issues. And just because a new problem arises doesn’t take away the relevance or significance of the natural disaster or public injustice that occurred last year or last month. We need to be on each other's side, showing up for each other's passions. We need to find something you AND people you care about relate to, that matters to you, that stirs you, and that you want to see change. And sure, be a captain or leader in what you can but don’t let not being an “always there, always posting” member deter you from making moves and advocating WHEN and HOW you can. Support the leaders of those issues you can’t be completely present for. That still counts as caring. It's up to us as individuals, groups, and most importantly human beings to be more than just aware, but active... no matter what that looks like for you.
xxO,
The Third Voice
Or maybe you have the fire, the passion, and will to make a difference but you're struggling to figure out how, where, or for what cause. After all there's plenty, and of course they ALL MATTER right? It can be hard on the mind, heart, and spirit deciding who and what to advocate for and how to advocate at all.
Here's the thing though. Whether you serve as a member on a handful of committees or as the leader of one, you are taking action... you are advocating. Between flood/hurricane efforts, gun control, "Me Too", world hunger (yep still a thing), homelessness, sex trafficking, healthcare, civil rights, police brutality, political/voting apathy, and the long list of things that are happening in the world today, it's obvious we can't ALL be at the front of every cause that means something to us. But that's no reason or excuse to limit your efforts. If there were more of us simply showing up to the things that we care about, even if we care about it a little less than something else, that's still something.
Instead, we either jump from current issue to current issue, not realizing that most "past' issues are still happening or affecting people (despite no longer being covered by the news) OR we talk ourselves out of taking any real action and let apathy rule in the name of "not being able to help". But this is unacceptable.
Feeling guilty for not being 100% involved in things discourages action and participation when opportunity is present. You don’t have to be captain of all the support teams to be a part of the conversations surrounding those issues. And just because a new problem arises doesn’t take away the relevance or significance of the natural disaster or public injustice that occurred last year or last month. We need to be on each other's side, showing up for each other's passions. We need to find something you AND people you care about relate to, that matters to you, that stirs you, and that you want to see change. And sure, be a captain or leader in what you can but don’t let not being an “always there, always posting” member deter you from making moves and advocating WHEN and HOW you can. Support the leaders of those issues you can’t be completely present for. That still counts as caring. It's up to us as individuals, groups, and most importantly human beings to be more than just aware, but active... no matter what that looks like for you.
xxO,
The Third Voice
More About : Domestic Violence Awareness Month...
حب ভালবাসা 愛 liefde l'amour αγάπη renmen אהבה LOVE प्यार grá عشق amor любовь upendo அன்பு tình yêu uthando 
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Healthy love, healthy relationships are not earned, and they are not some rare jewel. They what anyone and everyone ought to experience. Pay attention to the kind of love you participate in and allow yourself to receive. If you or anyone you know is concerned you may be in an unhealthy or even dangerous relationship, do no hesitate to reach out to someone you trust or the resources above.
let's stay in touch!
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