Yep! The Legendary Husband and I voted today. Live and in person. (With masks!)
It was quite the adventure.
My knee was not amused. AND my heart was lifted.
Everybody being polite. Thanking poll workers. Cheering first time voters.
Granted, where we voted, there’s a pretty good chance that most of us agreed on most of the choices.
Still, it felt like people had turned out in person, knowing that their votes mattered. Possibly more than ever before.
Possibly because we live in a state where some of the folks don’t believe that all of the folks should be able to vote!
Frankly, though, the only thing I know to do is to hold hope. (Along with tending quite the flock of opinionated signs in the front garden!)
In my estimation, the time for being quiet has passed.
This is the time for us to use our voices. To claim what we believe. To make our own choices.
And, more importantly, to model all those leaps of faith for our Littles.
To refuse to let anyone shame us or blame us into denying our truths, as long as we extend the same freedom to others of good faith.
So, Good Trouble button at the ready, I lived this day as a human being, fully in possession of the civil rights of Americans. And ready to work with all my heart to get back those rights wrongly denied to half of us, so recently.
If that takes Making Waves, so be it.
Be part of the storm!
Our Inner Critics, who have been telling us for years to smile and be polite and not talk about things that make others uncomfortable, love us and want us to be safe.
Sometimes, though, those Inner Critics need a perspective update on what safe really means!
The alternative is happening now… in the Ukraine. And in Iran, where a female rock climber may be facing arrest for competing without covering her hair. And… Well, you fill in the blanks!
Here’s the bottom line for me… the way my hat sorts… You don’t get to act – or believe yourself to be – above the law, if you want a job helping to make the laws!
Let’s be part of the miracle! Our Littles are counting on us!
And, for #wip Wednesday… the late leader of the Good Trouble band… Rep. John Lewis, D-GA, 5th.
May we also be works-in-progress!
ps… want to make things better, your way? To use your SuperPowers for good? Not sure how to move forward? Let’s talk!
pps…need a portrait of John Lewis? This one is longing to make more trouble and ready to be finished for your context! Other commissioned paintings considered. email me! sueboardman@gmail.com