Work in Progress

Hi Beautiful Human –

How are you? I’m curious, how do you feel about being “in progress”?

As we approach the 250th birthday of the United States of America on July 4th the first thought that comes to my mind is “work in progress”.

At times, (especially the past year and half), I have felt so frustrated by the slow progress towards ‘justice and liberty for all’. I wonder how a nation born out of its desire to steal native land and extract labor from enslaved people could ever progress as fast as I desire or break free from its extractive and supremacy mindset.

It currently shows its desire for conquest and profit off black and indigenous labor simply in different forms. FYI – For profit detention centers operating across our country holding over 60000 (most without a criminal record), pay $1/DAY for work or less.

Despite being a big believer in possibility, I’d be lying if I said I am always unwavering in my positivity.

Some years this holiday passes without the flag waving and celebration I grew up with when the American story felt good, yet was incomplete.

Choosing to engage with the larger story has been a process.

On a personal level, when I’m honest with myself I see my own resistance to being “a work in progress”.

I would much rather be, well… perfect.

I want to embody non-judgment, compassion, consistent patience with my children, and excellent execution of all my ideas. It’s a process unsubscribing from perfectionism. ​

What do we do with that gap?!

Well, what I’ve learned in my own growth and all the research about sustainable change… Whether the gap is small or a giant chasm, we can’t shame and scold ourselves to being better.

The more I cultivate frustration and anger at the gap, the wider it gets.

Personally, when I compassionately accept where I am, envision a future version of myself and identify resources (like desire and commitment) within, then the journey becomes joyful and worthwhile.

And so, as I write this reflection the answer has emerged.

On this 4th of July, I choose to remember, We the People includes me.

I can sit in anger and bemoan the gap but instead I choose to honor the change agents, activists, and lawyers who fought to have me included in ‘We The People’.

I can honestly acknowledge where we are at. White supremacy, voter suppression, and profit over people are no longer hidden from plain view.

AND I can envision a better future for the people and the planet.

This 4th of July I choose to remember the world changing power of people who care.

I choose to stay engaged with joy and commitment to the experiment of democracy.

Happy Birthday United States of America.

Thanks to all the change agents, abolitionist and activists, I’ve seen change and believe more is possible. Power to the People.