What is YOUR response?

It took several days before I could bring myself to watch the video of George Floyd's death.

I knew how it ended, but it still left me feeling shaky. This is not the kind of country I want to live in. But what the heck is there to do?

Enter this wonderful piece on Medium, 75 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice. It is full of ideas for what to do: things to read & research, legislation to support, groups to join, conversations to have, and so much more.

I'm embarrassed to admit that, not even too long ago, I avoided lists like that. When I saw them I felt guilty and defensive, afraid of being judged for not doing more things on the list, or not doing the "right" kinds of things. So I steered clear of them -- and the topic of race altogether.

Here is what the younger me needed to hear and understand:

Responding to the fear and cruelty that exist in the world is not about proving that you're a "good" person who deserves approval.

It's about recognizing what you actually care about, and having the integrity to live accordingly.

Not only is this inherently rewarding, but when we are "in the arena" and taking our own action for our own reasons, it also makes us a lot less inclined to waste time judging and comparing and arguing with people who approach the situation differently. 

At least that's how it works for me.

Engaging in the Reach Out in Kindness Challenge this past week has been really valuable for me, as it's been calling me to identify and act on my good intentions, even as it's sometimes made me nervous.

I've initiated some scary conversations, reached out to people I wouldn't have otherwise reached out to, and participated in activities that I probably would have skipped. All of which leaves me feeling less overwhelmed, not just by my own circumstances, but all that's been happening in the rest of the country.

We can't solve the nation's problems single-handedly, but each one of us can do something in the right direction.

The question is, What is that something going to be?

What is that thing that's calling you?

Are there things you need to create? People you need to talk to? Places where you need to show up? Things you need to learn?

You know best what it will be. I just encourage you to do it.