Happy Monday Reader!

Well it only took about 48 hours to see the error of last week's affirmation.

The presidential election news was depressing, demoralizing, scary, and infuriating.

I was not really surprised, but I was disappointed.

I’m feeling weird about these election results because I remember that my life didn’t really change the first time we elected The Orange Menace. And it probably won’t this time either. I have an immense amount of privilege as a college educated, middle class white woman.

But that also means I have space to help those who don’t have those privileges. And I have an obligation to use my ease, privilege and safety to help those who have less of that.

"I am the change I wish to see, and I'm not waiting for permission to create it."

I hope you took some time last week to feel all the big emotions that came after the election. We must feel all that rage and frustration and despair so that we can process and move to the next stage.

It's ok to fall apart for a while. It's ok to step back and close yourself off for a bit so you can refuel. Do whatever you need to to take care of yourself. Especially if you are one of the vulnerable.

But do not stay there.

Do not withdraw, or throw your hands up in despair, or become cynical about the world and your efforts in it.

Because you matter, and even your tiniest efforts have impact.

We will not give up the fight. We were fighting last Tuesday in polling places, and we are still fighting this Tuesday. Not by voting this time, but by our words and actions in our relationships and our communities.

By our unwillingness to stand idly by while people spew hate.

By calling out injustice and racism and xenophobia when we encounter it.

Even when it's awkward. Even when it could alienate those close to us.

Because that's how true allies act. And I am an ally. But none of the vulnerable should believe my pretty words about that. My actions will be my legacy. They will be my proof and my defense. They will be how I prove I am safe and I am on the side of justice and progress and building a better world.

I don't need a president's permission to fight for the changes I want, and neither do you. We're re-taking our power and agency to change the world, every day and every hour, by repeating 21x/day:

"I am the change I wish to see, and I'm not waiting for permission to create it."

P.S. I've tried to limit my doomscrolling and reading (unsuccessfully, TBH) but here are a couple of my favorite (most impactful, thought provoking, motivating) articles from last week:

​All Candidates, Once Elected by Chris La Tray

​And Yet It Moves by Ken White

(And be sure to read the links therein too!)

As always, affirmations work best when you truly believe them. They need to resonate with you and feel achievable. So feel free to modify any I suggest, or develop entirely new ones!

Say them as long as you want. I'm sharing a new affirmation each week, but that doesn't mean you have to switch it up each week unless it feels right. You can add new ones as often as you want and have as many as you want. You can say a different affirmation every day, or at different times of the day. You choose!

I'd love to hear the impact it has! (But if you decide affirmations are not for you, click here to be removed from this weekly email.)

I hope this affirmation sets you up for a kick ass week and I'll see you next Monday for a new one to try!

I always have time for you. ❤️

-- Jen