What to Do This Week of January 15, 2017
Actions for Democrats, Independents, & Republicans of Conscience
The intention of this weekly document is to make clear suggestions for action backed with well-considered research. Although these actions are intended to be helpful, they are still subject to human error. Please do your own research.
If you’d like to subscribe to this weekly action list, please go here.
Hi there!
Every Sunday for the last eight weeks, I’ve sent out a weekly message that includes activism ideas for people of conscience to oppose the president-elect and the incoming leadership.
The 7,100 subscribers to this list (you!) have worked your tail off signing things, boycotting, donating, making calls, and probably have been doing a fair amount of fretting on top of it all. This week’s list is deliberately lighter than usual. We all need a reprieve eventually (more on that in a moment).
This week!
- Use your feet
In case you haven’t heard, there are rallies, protests, and marches happening all over the country on and around Inauguration Day. Joining others who care about the integrity and goodness of our country could be an incredible experience.
- Go here for a list of women’s marches.
- Or Google your closest city and “protest” or “rally” or “march” to find out what‘s happening near you.
- Change tack
When the wind changes direction, a sailboat must take a different tack to keep moving forward. Same thing for us this week. The man who has been our POETUS will soon be our POTUS. It’s time to change strategy for the journey ahead.
During the inauguration, I propose doing the following:
- Leave your TV on a station not airing the inauguration. Passive aggression is a form of protest (even if Nielsen ratings don’t change).
- Spend that time reading the Indivisible Guide. Everyone says, “Oh yeah, I downloaded that!” But it’s time to actually read it. With your thinking cap on. It’ll take you 20-30 minutes.
- Yes, read it entirely even if you live in a “blue” constitiuency. Here’s why: if your elected officials think you’re not paying attention, even left-leaning ones may eventually support that which was was once unsupportable. We do not know what the next four hears hold.
- Choose one action based on what you read in this document. Seriously.
The Indivisible Guide is the single best resource I’ve seen for making a difference using proven, time-tested strategies.
- Consider this important issue
We need you here for the next four (or–God forbid–eight) years. We need you sane and resourceful. We need you focused, not swallowed by anxiety and despair. If you don’t take care of yourself, you will burn out.
As important as it is to take action right now, it is also vitally important to do things not even remotely related to politics. That’s why this week’s list is short.
You need sleep, fresh air, heart connections, and good chocolate. Maybe your thing is walking in the woods or playing with your pets. Whatever it is, make time for it in spite of everything. One, this will nourish you from the inside. Two, it will help you remember that not everything is craptastic. Babies are still laughing. The moon is still glowing. Ben and Jerry’s still tastes amazing.
On a brief personal note, I just returned from a week at a mountain retreat center with no wifi or cell phone reception (the other reason this week’s message is short). I meditated, journaled, and even colored just for fun. When it snowed, I marvelled at how snowflakes sparkle and how the ice-covered trees glinted at dawn. In short, I felt like a human again for the first time in almost three months.
I needed that. And you do too (or you may eventually). Self care is a profoundly radical act. Be courageous this week, and do something that nourishes you. We need you in this for the long haul.
If you’re not sure what nourishes you, read this wonderful list of ideas by a faith leader I really admire.
Next week
Next week, my regular What To Do This Week checklist will be back, full of well-researched actions, good news, and the best reading I’ve found this week. In the meantime, take good care of yourself.
Housekeeping
- If you’d like to subscribe for this weekly message, please visit this link.
- To see archives of past What To Do checklists, click here (and scroll to the bottom)
- If you’d like to contribute, click here.
We’re stronger together!
