Be the Change You Want to See

I originally started this post right after the presidential election. But I decided to give it a little time and let the emotion of the election settle down. I was also preparing for an extended trip to New Zealand to race the 70.3 World Championship and it felt better to focus my efforts on something positive than something negative. 

I don’t think it’s healthy to avoid negative circumstances or difficult conversations, to pretend they don’t exist. That only builds internal tension, which in turn adds to stress. And as I wrote about previously, stress can wreak all kinds of havoc on our health. 

But with it being inauguration day, this feels like a good day to come back to it.

There used to be a time when bigotry, outright lies, sexual assault and fraud convictions, threats, bullying and references to fascism would get you shamed out of public office. To say I was disheartened that more voters chose this is a massive understatement.

Throughout my time in New Zealand, I strongly considered canceling my return flight and try to figure out a way to peace out of the United States indefinitely. That may sound like hyperbole, but I want to be a part of a society where experts, science and mutually agreed upon facts and realities lead policy discussions. I want to be a part of a society that provides everyone with a quality education, quality healthcare, a healthy food supply and a clean environment. Those things shouldn’t be exclusive to those with a healthy bank account. And I saw all of these things in my time in New Zealand.

We hear it all the time - that the United States is the greatest nation in the world. And for most of my life, I believed it. We built the world’s strongest economy - by far. We built the world’s strongest military - by far. We defeated fascism in World War 2. We were the first to put a man on the moon. Americans invented the light bulb, the telephone, the automobile, the internet and created the Industrial Revolution.  And we’ve provided billions in humanitarian aid throughout the world. I can even recall watching President Reagan’s ‘shining city upon a hill’ farewell speech as a kid with a sense of pride.

But beliefs aren’t truths. 

And if you want to get better at anything - work, health, relationships, personal growth, your community or our politics - you have to look in the mirror and be brutally honest with yourself. And the truth is the United States is not the greatest country in the world. We’ve had great moments in our history, but we have to admit that the United States is an inherently racist, sexist, misinformed, ignorant, divisive country. A country that lives in two different worlds of information with different sets of facts and where those in power aren't held to the same standards and accountability that ordinary citizens are held to. It would be more appropriate now to call this land the Divided States of America. 

There’s a sign along the road up to Carter Lake that I bike up to frequently. I’ve passed this sign dozens of times, but on a recent ride, I took it in and thought about it the rest of the day. 

It’s easy to get discouraged when it feels like the bad guys are winning. To throw up your hands and give up when things look bleak. For those still feeling discouraged, don’t let the bad guys win. Don’t let the clouds of hate cover up your sunshine. Don’t put blinders on to things that don’t affect you personally. There’s a brilliant video done several years ago that highlights the life of the privileged. 

What can we do to help those still standing on the starting line?

I still believe in the goodness of most Americans. I'm optimistic that we can right this ship, despite what's coming out of government. It won’t be easy. Our voices are small compared to those with power and money who profit off of our fear, anger and division. But while a single snowflake is hardly felt, millions of snowflakes can cause an avalanche. Little actions do add up and can spark change. Now is the time to double down on kindness, generosity, empathy and compassion towards those less fortunate, the most vulnerable and those that are just seeking equality and a better life.

So if you’re feeling disheartened or discouraged or angry, be the change you want to see. This country is filled with amazing teachers, brilliant scientists, heroic healthcare and social workers and remarkable small business owners, just to name a few. Start small by getting involved in your local community. Start by supporting and advocating for teachers. Share the work of climate scientists. Volunteer at a local youth organization, homeless shelter or pro-democracy group. Buy from the local small business instead of Amazon. 

Aaannnd - this is a big one, and may be difficult for some - listen more than you speak. There's a reason we were given two ears and one mouth. Ask for someone from the other side's perspective. Ask why they formed the thoughts they have - without judgment. It may be hard to hear, and you probably won't agree. That's ok. But maybe - just maybe - we can start to come to some mutually agreed upon facts and realities.

And just remember, even if the other side and the billionaires won….

(We can still use a bit of levity every now and then, am I right??)

“The death of human empathy is one of the earliest and most telling signs of a culture about to fall into barbarism” - Hannah Arendt.