Introduction:

“I want to tell you a secret that will see you through all the trials that life can offer: have courage and be kind…Where there is kindness, there is goodness. And where there is goodness, there is magic!” – Cinderella

Sometimes when I get bogged down with the hard times in the world, one of the things I like to do is remember where I live and feel that sense of American pride that comes with it. As I was thinking about this fact earlier this week, I tried to remember the last time I actually felt proud to be an American. And then the sad truth sank in: I don’t remember the last time I felt that way.

I remember at the beginning of the pandemic when everyone was forced inside thinking that it was going to lead to something wonderful. I thought people would emerge from their homes refreshed and excited to see one another; I imagined a world where everyone just wanted one giant hug that we would all get swept into the moment we were allowed to leave our doors.

But anyone who has been outside of their four walls knows that’s not what is happening right now.

It’s my sincerest desire that someone will read this and find a glimmer of hope. These are effective ways that I found for dealing with some of the most hot-button issues facing us this year.

To be clear, this is not meant to be any kind of a political piece. This has nothing to do with how I vote, who I’m voting for, and who I don’t support. This is just one person’s take on being a good human being and just being kind to others.

COVID-19: To mask or not to mask?

Who ever thought wearing a mask would be a political statement? In the middle of a world-wide pandemic, it’s pretty regular to see them being worn and it’s not a political question on whether or not you should be wearing one.

Is the pandemic over? Are you in area where you’re being told you don’t need to wear it anymore? Great. Don’t wear one.

Are you being asked to wear a mask? Are you hearing the pleas of those doctors and nurses on the front lines asking everyone to mask up? That’s what I hear. It’s the kindest thing I can do. You know, you’ve heard all of the things being said about masks. They save lives. They support those on the front line. They protect me and you. They’re a good reminder not to touch your face in public. Plus, because the pandemic is happening worldwide, masks are not even boring! You can have one that’s pretty or cool! You can even support your favorite sports team that didn’t get to play this year.

Get a mask that looks pretty or cool and wear it on your face every time you go out in public from now until we’re told to take them off. It’s not politics. It’s kindness…and a pinch of common sense.

 

Kindness goes such a long way. Cherish it when you see it. Use it to fuel your own kindness towards others and be as kind as much time as you can.

For those of you out on the front lines, I doubt you have enough time in your day to read 1300-word blog post on kindness but thank you for all you do.

People matter, you matter, I matter. Let’s beat this thing for once and for all and maybe finish off the year a little better than it started. Here’s to a bangin’ 2021.

Have courage, be kind.

Lauren out.

Introduction:

“If Harry Potter taught us anything, it’s that no one should live in a closet.” -J.K. Rowling

Sometimes when I get bogged down with the hard times in the world, one of the things I like to do is remember where I live and feel that sense of American pride that comes with it. As I was thinking about this fact earlier this week, I tried to remember the last time I actually felt proud to be an American. And then the sad truth sank in: I don’t remember the last time I felt that way.

I remember at the beginning of the pandemic when everyone was forced inside thinking that it was going to lead to something wonderful. I thought people would emerge from their homes refreshed and excited to see one another; I imagined a world where everyone just wanted one giant hug that we would all get swept into the moment we were allowed to leave our doors.

But anyone who has been outside of their four walls knows that’s not what is happening right now.

It’s my sincerest desire that someone will read this and find a glimmer of hope. These are effective ways that I found for dealing with some of the most hot-button issues facing us this year.

To be clear, this is not meant to be any kind of a political piece. This has nothing to do with how I vote, who I’m voting for, and who I don’t support. This is just one person’s take on being a good human being and just being kind to others.

LGBTQ(IA+)

I haven’t heard as much going on this month, but I heard plenty last month since June is also Pride Month.

I’ll be honest with you: I grew up in a Christian household where I originally did not enjoy learning about homosexuality when the initial push for tolerance (in my lifetime) came out in the 90s. I am slightly ashamed to say I felt that way at one time. This narrow-minded thinking now feels and sounds so closed-minded and unloving to me.

At the time, I didn’t have gaydar and I just thought everyone was heterosexual. I thought there was something wrong with you if you thought yourself otherwise.

Then I went through high school and found out one of my best friends was gay. Actually, I didn’t really “find out,” it was just common knowledge since he came out the year before I met him. I felt bad for him because he had a horrible coming out story. I had another friend who came out as a lesbian and then another who was bi. Slowly, my thoughts on homosexuality changed. However, at the time, the only thing I really recognized was the unhappiness they all seemed to share. I cared about them, and I felt less judgmental of the label on their sexuality.

For many years, I felt “unsure” about how to think of anyone who fell under LGBTQ(IA+).

After I took African American History, I saw that no good comes from oppression. I just wanted everyone to have the same rights, and who am I to tell you how to think or who you can and can’t love? That’s not my job. My job as your neighbor is to lift you up and ask you to be yourself because you’re the only person that can be you. My job is to love you as my fellow man. Nothing more and nothing less. I went from tolerant to straight ally almost overnight.

In addition, I know what it’s like to go through an identity crisis. I know what it’s like to not feel like myself because of what someone else thought I should be. I never want anyone to feel that kind of judgement from me. It doesn’t mean happiness for anyone.

Stay tuned for Part 3 tomorrow.

Introduction:

 

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” The Lorax by Dr. Seuss

Sometimes when I get bogged down with the hard times in the world, one of the things I like to do is remember where I live and feel that sense of American pride that comes with it. As I was thinking about this fact earlier this week, I tried to remember the last time I actually felt proud to be an American. And then the sad truth sank in: I don’t remember the last time I felt that way.

I remember at the beginning of the pandemic when everyone was forced inside thinking that it was going to lead to something wonderful. I thought people would emerge from their homes refreshed and excited to see one another; I imagined a world where everyone just wanted one giant hug that we would all get swept into the moment we were allowed to leave our doors.

But anyone who has been outside of their four walls knows that’s not what is happening right now.

It’s my sincerest desire that someone will read this and find a glimmer of hope. These are effective ways that I found for dealing with some of the most hot-button issues facing us this year.

To be clear, this is not meant to be any kind of a political piece. This has nothing to do with how I vote, who I’m voting for, and who I don’t support. This is just one person’s take on being a good human being and just being kind to others.

 

#BlackLivesMatter

I am so excited to see that perhaps a solution to racism is for white people to get their fingers out of their ears long enough to listen; perhaps open up to the thought that maybe if we backed up our Black brothers and sisters, racism may finally come to an end.

When I was in college, I took African American History. I ignorantly thought that racism was basically over. It was 2010, right? Racism was finally a thing of the past. Then I took the class and realized how deeply wrong I was. I finally understood how long Black people have been suppressed in our country, and it explained to me so clearly as to how and why it’s still going on. I’m not going to go into all of the details because I could write a whole book about it, but many are still living in daily oppression that is all about how they are being treated based on the color of their skin and nothing else. Even now, we are still dealing with blatant racism. Accusations are being thrown at Black people in a way that’s still so unfair. If you’re reading this rolling your eyes, I beg you to educate yourself. Do a little research. Watch a documentary or two, and you’ll see exactly what I’m talking about.

After the class, I was fired up wanting to make a change and I remember trying to talk to people about what I was learning in the class, but no one really wanted to listen to me. I felt like my words fell on deaf ears. I was frustrated, and for a while I just gave up unless I heard someone say something racist.

In 2013, I was so happy when the #BlackLivesMatter movement began. I thought, “This time, maybe we can back up our Black brothers and sisters and become unified.” Plus, it also made me think of all of the dear people I had in my life that might be affected by racism that still goes on today. I started thinking about friends, co-workers, people my parents are friends with, students that I had in student teaching, old babysitters, and many more. All I could think about was how many people I love who are being affected by racism every day, and it’s all happening right under my nose.

Sadly, while I saw that some understood #BlackLivesMatter and the hope to create a world of equality and freedom from racism, there were (and are still) those who sincerely thought Black people had the same rights and if you work hard, you can get where you want to in America. These are people who are ignorantly (and unusually unintentionally) saying, “All lives matter!” It misses the point. I remember at the time trying to explain to someone who wasn’t understanding #BlackLivesMatter and that it exists because all lives matter. The discussion quickly turned into an ugly, racially charged version of Abbott and Costello’s “Who’s On First?” stand-up routine.

If you’re one of the many still having trouble with the explanation of the movement, I recently heard it put this way: “If you have 5 kids, and one child falls down and hurts her knee, you’re not going to give a bandaid to every child. You’re going to give it to the child who needs it.” – Marre Gaffigan (Jim Gaffigan’s 16-year-old daughter)

This year, I feel like there’s been a bigger change in our country with a larger plea for white voices in the movement to stand up and say, “I may not have heard you before, but I hear you now. I understand that even though I’m not a white supremacist, my life has benefited from it because I am white. It’s my job to educate myself, speak up when someone isn’t kind, and help put the right people in office to make a difference.”

I said it already, but I’ll say it again: educate yourself. Talk to friends who are Black about their experiences with racial injustice that’s happened to them personally. You’ll find that even the loveliest person can say something stupid without even meaning to. “Oh, you speak so eloquently for a Black person.” That one I heard from more than one friend. After you’ve educated yourself, be sure you’re fully educated on who you vote for and make sure you’re voting for people who line up with true equal rights.

Stay tuned tomorrow for Part 2 and Monday for Part 3.