Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Picking my Passion


I used to be a news junkie.  I have always been involved in activism and have degrees in political science, public policy administration and community planning.  These days though news is breaking so quickly, 24/7, it feels impossible to keep up. And almost every new story brings a new sense of outrage.  A few weeks into the new administration and I found myself having to totally withdraw from the news cycle just for my own sanity.



Then I read an article over at Medium in which attorney Mirah Curzer suggests a few tactics for staying engaged with social issues without losing your mind. Curzer suggests:


You can’t show up to every march and donate to every cause...If you want to be effective on anything, pick an issue or two that matter most to you and fight for them...Important caveat: I’m not saying we collectively should pick a few issues and let everything else fall by the wayside...This is advice to individuals, not the party or the movement as a whole.


It’s also not to say other issues are less important or that you should turn a blind eye to them. Curzer’s point is that, just like anything else, too many options can lead to analysis paralysis. As she puts it, “Sure, retweet and share on Facebook about your peripheral issues, but focus your real energy on the things you care about most.”


With this is mind I decided to focus my energies and passion on the one issue that has always been near and dear to me - the environment.




While I was working I had daily opportunities to protect open space and farmland from development. I wrote local laws to protect streams and wetlands and other environmentally sensitive areas. Now retired, I need to find more ways to resist the and mitigate the impact of this administration's desire to eliminate environmental regulations.




I used to live in the New York metropolitan area and until I saw this graphic I didn’t remember that we used to receive daily air quality reports as routinely as we got the weather.


I am fortunate to live in a state where environmental regulations are now strong and my representatives almost always vote the way I think they should. I do not need to spend my time writing and calling them, although I do occasionally send them a “thank you”.   So I will be finding more ways to reduce my own environmental impact, donating to and volunteering for environmental causes, and probably harassing representatives from other states.


And I will be spending a lot of time outside enjoying the natural landscape, not only because there is a much needed restorative aspect to that, but also because I want to appreciate nature as much as possible. It may not be here for the next generation.



If you get a chance, head over to Curzer’s post at the link below—the full post is definitely worth the read. Then go pick your passion.


16 comments:

  1. This is such good advice, 8. I've spoken with many people who feel completely overwhelmed by how much needs doing and how urgently. We are many, we are legion, we can divide and conquer. Pick one cause and throw yourself into it. (Also, yes, harassing and reminding elected officials on all the other causes.)

    I think it is an advantage that we have lived through lots of protest. We are dusting off the old skills and wading back into the fight.
    xoxoxoxoxox

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    1. Yep. I keep reminding my daughters that our rights and privileges not something you can just take for granted. Government, like any relationship, takes a lot of work to keep it healthy. And the next 4 years (hopefully less) is going to take a LOT more work than usual.

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  2. Overwhelmed yes. Yet, inspired and energized to act. Thank you for the link.

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    1. One good thing I think that has happened is that a lot of people who never got involved have become inspired and energized to act. It is encouraging.

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  3. Great article you shared! I have already posted it on my FB page.

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    1. i.e., since I read it here. Thanks.

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    2. Glad you found it helpful. I know I did.

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  4. Yes! I love this suggestion, to pick just one thing you're passionate about and do that. If we all pick just one thing, we will make a HUGE difference. I've been working on getting involved in local politics too, at least trying to understand the lay of the land, etc, as well as my particular pet issue, abortion rights.

    Good to see you 8th Day!

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    1. Glad to see you too KR!

      Getting involved in local politics is a great place to start and I hear there are a lot of people doing the same. I really feel there is a very healthy movement growing.

      Reproductive rights are something I already fought the good fight about. This time around I will leave that one to my daughters. Stay safe out there!

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  5. hello 8, climate change is my greatest concern these days, but not much ahead of the teardown of decent and hard working immigrant families. i tend to put my efforts into individuals, but i've joined indivisible and i force myself to keep up with the sneak ability of you-know-who president.

    i'm on the bay in ptown until the end of april, and it is unbelievably inspiring. oh the sunrises!
    love to you always,
    kj

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    1. I generally volunteer for individuals also, but what's happening to the EPA is just so infuriating to me. So much greed, so little concern for the next generation.

      Lucky you to have a 24/7 view of what we are fighting for. I am more than a little jealous.

      All that love right back at you.

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  6. It's so easy to get overwhelmed and hopeless with all the insanity of the current administration. The environment is a good choice - without our home, we are lost.

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    1. Even dogs know not to sh*t their bed. I just don't understand how these people think.

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  7. I am doing good to get to work and get home... I am just going to worry about being kind to people and helping out where I can. Trying to stay positive that is a good start...



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    1. I think kindness is probably the best place to start. And it always has such wonderful ripples effects. Our world needs a lot more of that.

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  8. Excellent Advice... where we have enormous Passion we can be very effective because I personally feel that Passion for anything is evidence it has ties to our specific Purpose. Like you, I do have to limit my exposure to the News since this Crazy Election has played out... it's exhausting and has so much Negative Energy that I just have to take breaks from it all, while still staying updated enough. Dawn... The Bohemian

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