Hello and happy Monday!
This is Susan Hyatt and it’s GO time.
This is the 83rd episode in a series of GO mp3s to wake you up on your Monday morning and get you going.
In this episode, I’m talking about how to be politically active in a way that feels FUN and energizing for you. Yes, FUN. I said FUN. I am not kidding.
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Wanna read the full transcript? Here ya go:
Many people don’t know this, but I studied Political Science and minored in Women’s Studies in college. Even from a very young age, I’ve always been concerned about equality and justice.
I’ve always been bothered by the fact that women in most industries STILL earn less than their equally qualified male colleagues.
I’ve always been bothered by the fact that old, white men STILL get to make decisions about women’s reproductive organs and pregnancies.
I’ve always been bothered by… a LOT of things. LOL.
I’ve always been politically active.
But lately, my activism has risen into a completely new level.
If you follow me on Facebook, or if you get my weekly newsletter, you’ve probably noticed a flood of updates lately about all kinds of things I’ve been up to: Things like:
– Marching in Washington DC
– Going to rallies in my hometown
– And calling my state representatives
For starters.
Quite a few women have said to me:
“OMG, Susan, I’m so inspired by all the things you’re doing. I wish I could do more. But I’m so busy and tired. I can barely handle my own life, career and kids. I just don’t have much energy left over for political stuff.”
Other women say to me:
“I love that you’re so politically active! It’s inspiring! But how do you stay so positive? All the stuff happening in the news just makes me so depressed.”
And OTHER women say to me:
“Ugh! I’m so burnt out on politics right now. I need a break from all the scary news stories and all the depressing stuff. When are we allowed to start having FUN again?”
My response to those women is:
Who says activism has to be tiring?
Who says activism has to be depressing?
Who says activism can’t be… fun?
Being politically awake and active doesn’t necessarily mean… grimly standing on the White House lawn, holding a sign, frowning and shouting, in the pouring rain, for the next 4 years. (I mean, if that’s what you want to do, go for it!)
But there’s an infinite number of ways to be politically active.
You can find options that feel FUN and energizing for you. Yes, FUN. I said FUN. I am not kidding.
Just a few options:
– Right now, in Chicago, 13 different bakeries are making special cookies as a fundraiser for Planned Parenthood. You could go support those businesses, buy tons of cookies, eat some, and give the rest away to your friends. Yes, buying delicious cookies can be a form of activism. Sounds fun, right?
– Right now, Lin-Manuel Miranda, the creator of HAMILTON, is doing an epic prize giveaway to raise money for Planned Parenthood. It’s called the “Ultimate Hamilton Experience.” If you win, you get show tickets, backstage passes, airfare, and a meet-up with the cast. OMFG. I WANT IT!!! You could donate and enter that contest. That’s activism. So fun!
– Right now, if you look on Etsy, you’ll find dozens of jewelers who are creating gorgeous bracelets and necklaces with inspiring phrases, like: RESIST and UNITY and SOLIDARITY. Lots of jewelers are doing special sales right now where all proceeds go to the ACLU. So rad. My BFF www.studiofran.com is making special bracelets and necklaces.
– Last November in Portland, Oregon, people threw a neighborhood block party to protest against police brutality. It was called “Don’t Shoot Portland,” and it had live music, amazing food, a clothing donation table, and colorful chalk for kids to make sidewalk art. It was completely peaceful and uplifting. And FUN.
http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2016/11/post_568.html
– A few weeks ago, I went to Washington DC to participate in the Women’s March. I also scheduled a fabulous dinner party with 40 clients at a historic Inn. We had champagne, amazing food, and we talked for hours about our goals and dreams, about the personal REVOLUTIONS that we want to see in the world. It was one of the most uplifting nights of my entire life. And earlier that day, we all marched. That’s just one example of how “activism” can be fun and energizing, not depressing and tiring.
I could go on and on. But you get the point.
Being political active—aka, CARING ABOUT YOUR FELLOW HUMAN BEINGS—does not have to be a grim, depressing, exhausting experience.
You can find ways to speak up and give back that feel totally FUN for you.
There are so many options.
And if there’s nothing cool happening in your city or town, well, then YOU start something.
That’s my challenge for you this week:
Don’t be passive. Don’t say to yourself, “Oh, activism is too hard, too depressing, I don’t have the energy.” Nope. Change your mindset. Find a way to get involved in creating a better world. Find something that feels fun and exciting for you.
Organize a block party. Host a dinner party. Do a bake sale. Design some jewelry. Do an art project with your kids. Donate a portion of your business profits to a good cause. Enter a contest for Hamilton tickets. Throw a contest, yourself. Do whatever you want to do… just do SOMETHING. Don’t sit back and do nothing.
Be the change you want to see in the world. And have FUN while you’re doin’ it. Yes, it’s possible. Yes, we can.
Sidenote: I have a super cool free PDF download with tips about how to remain safe online and combat internet trolls. Just text me at 44-222. Text the word ACTIVISM and we will text you back!
It’s GO time.
