Are you here or in your head today? At least once this week, you left work feeling overwhelmed. If you want me to tell you that stress is a sign to relax, that's not the message this week.
You're at the wrong site.
While we know the importance of self-care to help manage anxiety, it's difficult to prioritize it when the struggle for justice continues and inequities prevail.
You know this, but let me remind you of our situation. In States like Texas and Georgia, doctors refuse to provide women with medical emergency abortions. Abortion bans persist, and women are passing away or being sent home to miscarry in life-threatening conditions.
In addition to your concerns about vulnerable populations, just the mentioning of the next US president's name makes your blood pressure rise.
You may have clicked on this blog post for inspiration or a solution. Keep reading, and you will find a combination reflective of the title. Inspiration plus solution equals Inspition.
We must double down. Amid multiple challenges, we need to do more work. The work requires collaborative projects at the office and on the streets. It also necessitates solo hours at home and in the gym.
Our commitments to diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, belonging, and justice require skills with fine-tuning to freedom frequencies.
I'm not just talking or expressing these ideas through written words. I am doing.
This week, I took it up a notch. I wrote more than usual and worked out twice daily. The writing and exercise sessions were tough but necessary because strong leadership requires uncomfortable actions to build strength.
Are you concerned about what others may think? Let the intensity of your productivity serve as a response to criticism. You don't have time to engage with every person who feels threatened by your passion, purpose, and focus.
They can't stop you.
Knowledge of self structures the foundation of your internal house. You always figure out how to persevere because you know your potential.
Many will underestimate your value. However, you know you're worth every coin invested in you. You see the dividends in the measurable outcomes of your work.
Are there times when you feel lost? Yes, but you know the roads to greatness are not smooth. Potholes and detours make the drive difficult.
Frustration exists to help you gain clarity of your identity, talents, and skills. An increase in awareness after setbacks will ensure you thrive for many years.
We must embody fitness of mind, body, and soul. Too much of our lives is unpredictable.
Let's consider arriving to work on time. When you predict the morning traffic, weather, and road conditions, getting into the office before 9 AM becomes complicated. Some days are better than others, but you never know what you will encounter when stepping out of your front door.
Imagine a morning when everything flows. You wake early, finish a quick workout, eat breakfast, and leave home on time. The roads are clear, like on a holiday, and you arrive at your job before 9 AM.
You settle into your seat, and then challenges commence. Your rejected proposal lies at the top of your email inbox. The funder requests revisions and a new submission within two weeks.
After wiping your tears or screaming a string of profanities at the screen, do you quit or read the critical feedback and make edits?
You start to write because it is what you do as a professional.
Yes, you have more work, but you are fearless in putting in the additional hours. You've been here before.
Think about it.
In the past, many people have not appreciated what you brought to the table. They expected steak and potatoes, but you showed up with quinoa and cassava.
Plenty rejected your unique skills and contributions, but now you receive more service requests than your calendar can hold. You pay bills by showing up authentically as the person you've become.
Building on this history is crucial to your legacy. It's your destiny to make way when others quit, question, and attempt to block you.
A Higher Power placed a map inside you to leave the maze of life. You must be yourself to find the route to safety.
It will take time, but endurance is your middle name tatted in black ink and African adinkra symbols on your arm.
Life is too short to let others dictate your actions.
Last week, you read the headlines about the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, Brian Thompson. Although you know murders happen every day, it surprised you to learn of Thompson's killing and its resemblance to a scene from a Hollywood Blockbuster film.
You also saw the video about how the company posted the call for applications to replace the former CEO within twenty-four hours of the homicide.
You've heard it before that every day is not promised. The murder and the company's insensitive response reinforced reality. They canceled a meeting and advertised an opening.
Law enforcers arrested and charged Luigi Mangione with the murder of Brian Thompson three days ago.
Gender, race, money, status, and the public outcry made this homicide a priority. Unfortunately, countless individuals from lower socioeconomic communities experience violent deaths every day.
Where is the outrage and urgency to solve crimes that plague BIPOC?
I've shared more than you perhaps wanted this Friday. Do you remember how this post started?
There is a correlation between abortion bans and women not receiving life-saving procedures. Similar deaths to cases in Texas and Georgia will increase throughout the nation under the next administration.
We must use our pens, voices, and feet to advocate for medical legislation that enables women to have the choice. It's their bodies.
Time is finite, and we must develop the willpower to make the most of our moments on earth. We must be willing to do more work for ourselves, our families, and our communities.
The challenges are inevitable. We can allow the struggles for liberation to form or break us.
Enable difficulties to shape you into the best version of yourself. Progress is possible with clarity and collaboration to achieve goals for equity and justice.
Do you need motivation to pursue the ideas in this post? Watch November's vlog episode below and get to work.
As you note, Dr. Lindsay, life needs to be honored and cherished.