There is a lot in the world to “speak up” about.
At the global level – do you speak up against the atrocities you see in the world around you? Not just shake your head or nurse a stomach ache when you see terrible news, but actually put your energy into saying out loud, where others can hear “This is not ok!”
At work – do you speak up for individuals or ideas that are marginalized? Do you lend your voice or position to someone who does great work that may go unnoticed?
At home – are their times you speak up for members of your family who are misunderstood in the larger group? Do you join someone you love in fighting for a cause that matters to them?
Whatever your answers are to these questions, I would like to point out the struggle of finding enough energy, time and resilience to do even some of those things, let alone all of them. Which brings me to two questions:
- What is the point of “speaking up?”
- How do you find the resilience to do that when it matters?
This week let’s answer the first question.
The point of speaking up is not to prove that you’re a good person or to perform activism in any way. The only sustainable reason to speak up – to add your voice to help draw attention to a problem – is when speaking up moves you towards what matters to you and builds connection with the people that matter to you.
If you put a post on social media this week against acts of violence that may not decrease the incidence of violence. But it does show who you are and build connections with those in your circles who are impacted by that violence.
If, in a work meeting, you point to the efforts or ideas of someone else to amplify them that may or may not change how your team views that person or idea. But it demonstrates who you are and builds connection with the person you lifted up.
If you choose to spend your time and effort being an extra voice or set of hands for a loved one who is fighting for a cause that matters to them or show you understand their view of things in a family disagreement, you get to live the values you have and build connection with that person.
Where do you put your “speak up” energy and how does it drive you towards what and who matters to you? Hit reply and let me know! And if you want to send suggestions ahead of time about how you find the resilience to do that, I’d love to hear. We’ll tackle that question in the first week of January.
And in the meantime, if you’re celebrating a holiday with meaning to you I wish you a great one. And to all, a peaceful, adventurous and resilience-filled New Year!
All my best,
Dr. G
