Election season in any country surfaces a lot of emotions. Our identities are expressed on a national stage. Depending on who wins or loses, we can feel like our values are either affirmed and protected or denied. Election season can put us all on edge.
For those of us who don’t see ourselves holding political office, it can feel like we don’t have a place to effect change. Or that we need to wait for someone else to represent our deeply held values.
I want to offer a different take. Civic culture is stitched together by each citizen working toward the greater good, and the pathway into that is identifying and then offering our own God-given gifts to others. It’s true for all of us:
- As parents when speaking with our kids
- As coaches when encouraging our players
- As social workers and educators when helping clients and students grow
- As business and organizational executives when leading teams and setting a vision for the future
- As grandparents when instilling wisdom in the next generation
Instead of spending our limited time and energy debating politics (which may not change anyone’s opinions) consider using that time and energy to double down on the ways that your unique skills and gifts can advance the common good.
For me, I work with leaders and professionals to become more self-aware, communicate more clearly, and listen more deeply. I am committed to helping others learn the skills they need to create generous and curious relational spaces so that they can stitch together a vibrant civic culture to which we all can belong.
Blessings for the journey,
Dasee
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