In this last week since the election, we have all been reading and stressing and asking questions and searching and refreshing social media feeds. We are all tired of this conversation. But the state of our country is kind of like when our kid is sick: it doesn’t matter one bit that we are exhausted. We rally. Despite our body’s desire for rest, we stay up all night to nurture and care for our kin. We get up and rock her back to sleep and then get up an hour later to make breakfast for her sister. Because it’s our job and we have work to do and it doesn’t matter that we’re depleted. We always have more to give to important things.
I want to understand. I want to open up, make art, mobilize and, as my friend Shannan Martin often says, I want to draw a wider circle. I want to DO something and in all the noise and opinions, I feel a bit stuck, searching. How best to use my able body and brain? Yesterday morning in the wee supermoon hours I told myself what I tell my kids.
Just begin.
The girls and I made a list last week of positive, proactive things we can do in our community, now. Ruby names our list Care and Share. My daughters are bright shining beams of love and hope. The first thing Ruby did was chop 9″ off her hair to donate to Pantene Beautiful Lengths in her friend’s name. Margot has committed to noticing playground dynamics with a more empathetic eye and she’s already come home with inspiring stories of inclusion in the heated tetherball arena. My challenge to myself is to do things that are uncomfortable. It’s easy to bake cookies for my next door neighbor. It is hard to bake cookies for my across the street neighbor. So I am doing that. I’ve been putting it off but now I told you so I will do it. Friends, we can all make a list and together, we will each move small shovelfuls of dirt and form mountains.
And, today, DIG + CO. is launching a fundraiser. We are making and selling our ♥ Big Love Hoodie ♥ and donating $15 from each sale the following organizations that do mighty and unifying work: The Representation Project, Boys and Girls Club and Environmental Defense Fund. You choose. Sizes available: 2T-2XL.
The Representation Project
Using film as a catalyst for cultural transformation, we inspire individuals and communities to challenge and overcome limiting stereotypes so that everyone, regardless of gender, race, class, age, sexual orientation, or circumstance, can fulfill their human potential.
Boys and Girls Club
Our mission is to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. We provide a safe place to learn and grow; ongoing relationships with caring, adult professionals; life-enhancing programs and character development experiences; hope and opportunity.
Environmental Defense Fund
We work to solve the most critical environmental problems facing the planet. This has drawn us to areas that span the biosphere: climate, oceans, ecosystems and health. Since these topics are intertwined, our solutions take a multidisciplinary approach.
In a nation divided, wear the two halves of your heart zipped together in peace and love. Let’s do this.
