Hello Beautiful Actionists!
BEING AN ARCHITECT OF CHANGE
I have a confession to make: I am writing this to you while I am multi-task packing for my Dove 20 city tour, watching the VP debates, paying my bills online, and trying to spend time with a very special person in my life.
*Yes – that’s all you’ll
get for now… more details to come!
And even in all the crazy scrambling of trying to make sure my mini-size toothpaste fits in a small plastic bag – I get a wonderful mail from an Actionist® named Claire. She writes: “Dear Jess, I want to make a difference in the lives of girls but I have no idea where to start. I am a stay at home mom of a 3 year old and recently gave up my position at a law firm to take a road less traveled. Only problem is, I have no idea what road I want to go down next? I thought about volunteering but I’d like to make sure I am really having a lasting impact
on the life of a girl. Help!
Where do I start?”
Claire is not alone. I get tons of emails from women
(and men) who are all searching for ways to give back more and be an architect for change in their lives, in their families, and in their communities. Many of you who write to me are looking for ways to make your giving back part of your career or are at the least looking for a meaningful work experience that makes you feel like you are a part of something larger. I think that tends to be the vibe right now amongst us because we can feel change in the air and more so we know that a deep change is needed to get our priorities back on track, protect our children, recover our financial assets, plant new seeds of hope in our neighborhoods, and remember what we are all fighting for. I understand what it feels like to look out on a world gone awry – whether it’s not having enough mental health care coverage to treat an ill loved one, or the frustration of seeing your 6 year old being marketed to in overly sexualized messaging, or sitting by with a friend as she goes through a painful breakup and learns the lesson that she must disappoint another to be true to herself.
We forget sometimes that we can be great architects of change in the world and we don’t need a Ph.D. or a lot of money or even a lot of time. We need a focused intention and a desire to make a difference. You can impact the life of a girl by listening to her stories, helping her make bold choices, encouraging her to follow her gut, seeing a brighter future for her and her friends. Volunteering is one direct way to get connected and we have an extensive resource listing on our Actionist® page of grass roots groups that need your support! And then we are coming upon the greatest time to be an architect for change on November 4th when hopefully we ALL go and vote
for the candidate of our choice.
Last month I felt compelled to share who I was voting for. I was amazed at the lovely outpouring of support for my personal sharing and I am also grateful to the few of you who wrote in upset that I was voting for Obama. What I expressed last month – that is my CHOICE – and in a world where speech is free and the opportunity to express oneself is allowed – I will raise my voice as a woman, as an advocate for women and girl’s self-esteem, and as a registered voting American. What a blessing to be able to do so! I never intended to silence your choice and in fact I urge you to express yourself with your vote on
Election Day (and make sure your friends are
registered, too)!
So no matter whether the action be big (voting) or small (sending an email to someone you love) you can be an architect for change by caring, risking, expressing, and being open to the world (and people) around you. Look to your own corner right now and see how you can lend your unique abilities to enhance someone else’s life. And of course, don’t forget to take care of
your own life, too!
And last but not least – we aren’t the only ones being architects of change around here – our website as well is going to undergo a major transformation in the coming months! To fully prepare for some of the changes we are making – we need to hear from you! So over the next few weeks we’ll be sending out some candid survey forms that we’d love for you to fill out and send back to us. We want your input, advice, and two cents – so don’t be shy. We’ll even make it super exciting by offering up some chances to win cool prizes for filling out a survey! (Not that you need a bribe but who doesn’t LOVE surprises!?!) ;)
So as usual my fellow Actionists® my heart is full of appreciation, pride, and gratitude for you. Thanks for helping us change the lives of women and girls together. Bring on the change!!
Blessings,
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