I have a craving…a deep desire…a carnal need…
Brené Brown once said, “There is no innovation and creativity without failure. Period.” Nowhere is this a more critical concept than in the field of social justice work. Every single day we wake up with the opportunity to elevate the experiences of our communities. Like one of my favorite people, Marli Williams says, “If you desire something, it’s not an accident.” I desire radical social justice change! Several years ago I woke up in the middle of the night and typed these words into my notes page on my phone. “I believe in a new brand of advocacy where we engage in acts of graceful revolution that bring light to the true reality of peoples lives. I believe that if we engage people in their own spaces, teach them to look at injustices as moments that touch their own lives, if we give them the knowledge of the power structure and the tools to infiltrate its membrane, then change will take place in America. This is the Graceful Revolution.” The Graceful Revolution is the foundation to engaging in intentional, successful social welfare advocacy. Take a look at your every day life. What things do you see in the news, on social media, or in conversations with your friends that make you feel passionate? Why did you choose your work? What is it about the human experience that makes you feel motivated to engage in advocacy? Write 3 of these things down. Now pick the one that gets you most excited and write down 5 feeling words you feel when you think about that particular topic. If you do this simple, quick exercise you will quickly identify the exact thing that you can engage in advocacy about. What a revolutionary notion, YOUR passion is what can help you find commonalities with others in your community. It is your own passion that fuels the Graceful Revolution!
Our willingness to speak out and continue to fight for the community is what creates opportunity for widespread improvement. We know that when we build community we have a voice. We are the troublemakers, the disruptors, the challengers. We are the change makers and making change requires vulnerability. Do not hold back on your passion, it is ok to speak out and be different. We need leaders who are committed to the equality of everybody, regardless of circumstance. In the world of social justice advocacy, enthusiasm and authenticity go together like peas and carrots. Being lit up on fire (enthusiasm) means that you can convert support into active mobilization. SO…how enthusiastic are you? I mean are you really excited about something? OR does it feel like a should? If you think you SHOULD do it don’t. If you can’t stop talking about it, if you feel like you are constantly standing on a soap box, if your friends and family are telling you to stop talking about the same thing over and over then THAT IS YOUR JAM! That is your advocacy sweet spot! THAT is the starting point from where you will make the difference. You wield ALL THE POWER! We are the revolutionaries that will form new kinds of community and develop new kinds of relationships. Whether you are volunteering in your community, knocking on doors for a campaign, or championing an issue, you must go where your enthusiasm takes you. Take some time and reflect on what your passion tells you. Let your truth be your guide. Allow your enthusiasm to fuel your activism. Allow your truthful authenticity to fuel your enthusiasm. Welcome to the Graceful Revolution. Follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @birdgirl1001. It is Friday, let’s fuck shit up, Dr. Melissa Bird I am doing one of my EPIC Fanning the Flames workshops at the Superwoman Society on 9/20/18 in Seattle, Washington! Reserve your spot! BUY YOUR $40 TICKET TODAY!
Dr. Melissa Bird’s Fanning the Flames workshop is a call to action for anyone who wants to change the world. Missy is overflowing with passion, knowledge, and experience and she will invite you to find a corner of the world you’re passionate about changing. Then she’ll give you the tools to make it happen. If you have a chance to attend one of Missy’s events, you will leave fired up and ready to hit the ground running.
-Becky Drinnen, Adoptee Rights Advocate