Hey sweet friends.
For the past few weeks I’ve noticed myself getting really indignant about what’s happening in the world. Unless you’ve been sunning on an island with no internet or data service, I’m sure you’ve heard of all the awful things happening in our country right now. We’ve got a young rapist who refuses to be accountable for his actions, and a terrorist and bigot and all around bad person killing 49 people (49 people. Not to mention the 53 people he injured.) in a gay club in Orlando because for some reason even though he was on the terror watch list he was able to purchase a semi-automatic rifle.
And that’s just the big stuff that’s going on right this second. I can’t begin to tell you all of the things I’m mad about on a daily basis. Meninists (WHAT EVEN IS THAT), the transgender bathroom debacle going on in my home state (let people use the bathroom they identify as please for the love of God), and so many more injustices going on in the world.
Some people are doing big things to help move the world forward. Like these people who dressed as angels to protect the funerals of the men who died in the Orlando shooting so Westboro Baptist assholes can’t disrupt them, or the No Bill, No Break movement unfolding right now. Obviously we can’t all be in Orlando or on the House floor, but we can do our part.
Because the problem is, the internet is a great place to find things to get indignant about, then post about them. All the time. But we should also do something about it. Don’t get me wrong, we need to keep talking about things like Brock Turner the rapist (not swimmer) and we need to make sure his face is plastered all over in the context of him being a rapist. Because the more we talk about it, the more people become aware of the problem. But what if every time we got mad about rapists, bigots, racists and other injustices going on in our world, we did a little something about it? We gave money to a charity, we signed a petition for a cause we believe in, we made a move to change the things that we’re mad about? If we all did that, it would be big.
This applies to our personal lives too, which are often much easier to change. Next time we get worked up about something, we do something small (or big) that helps you change it. For example, if you get mad that you’re not being paid enough, you figure out what you can do to change that. Whether it’s asking for more money from your job or working on your own side projects that bring in extra cash flow. If you’re mad that your roommate doesn’t take out the trash enough, you talk to him/her or you make a chore chart.
So starting Monday I’m challenging myself (and you guys if you wanna join). Every time I get even a little mad this week, I am REQUIRED to do something to change whatever I’m indignant about.
A quick (and pretty obvious/easy) list to get you started:
Shop on Amazon Smile and donate to your favorite charity when you order
Sign a petition to help ban assault weapons
Donate to end child cancer (St. Jude is consistently ranked one of the best charities for your money going directly to the cause)
Find a homeless shelter near you and donate your time, clothing or money
Contact your representatives and ask them do something, too
Let’s see how this one goes. I’m exhausting and I get worked up about almost everything, so it’s most likely going to be a lot of work. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
And just as a reminder sweet friends, there is a lot of good in this world. Like raccoons who work together for ultimate cuteness, three best friends celebrating their hundredth birthday together, and NYC bringing free menstruation products to shelters, schools and prisons in a unanimous vote.
Okay guys, hope you’re having a wonderful week so far. Keep shining.
❤ LBW
The Struggle 