January
01
Fearless in 2017
My aspirational word for 2017 is Fearless. I say aspirational because I’m really pretty scared about what this year will bring. I’m nervous for my Muslim friends, my friends who rely on government assistance through no fault of their own, my LGBT friends, my friends with chronic health conditions who may lose their health insurance by the end of the month, my friends and family of color, for immigrants seeking to become citizens, for our environment and for our nation’s security. I’m finding myself at the intersection of wanting to be the positive person I usually am and the pragmatic person who feels that being a responsible citizen entails speaking up when you fear that the country is headed in a dangerous direction and that hate is being normalized.
My only hope is that Americans will at some point this month hear something that disturbs them and that they feel compelled to speak up to their representatives. I am fond of saying that Democracy is not a spectator sport. It requires participation and being informed. It requires sacrifice. It requires that we look beyond our own lives and ask who we are as a country and whether or not protecting the vulnerable among us is part of our national DNA or not. Are we serious about the First Amendment? How about voting rights? Who are we and where are we going? Because the election is over and we have to figure out how to make sure that we are alert to the changes that will be happening around us. Because, make no mistake. Our country is about to go through an enormous and unprecedented change in less than three weeks.
I’ve been thinking in particular about the lessons of Aikido, a martial art in Japan. The principle isn’t to defend yourself with strength but rather to use well-considered leverage to cause the opponent to tumble. It requires practice, level-headed thinking and strategy. It also requires fearlessness. Just as I walked nervously but with determination past the McDonald’s in 8th grade where the class bully Margaret Breeden threatened to beat me up if she saw me, I’ll be channeling all of the fearlessness I can muster in 2017. Those of us who are not in as much danger of losing our safety nets need to band together for those who are vulnerable. It’s a defining moment for our country. Are you ready?
yes. it's my real name. 
I’m gearing up to be brave this year, too. Solidarity, sister!
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Well said. I am with you,
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Yes, we need to be fearless and never accept this as the new norm.
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Weeks, I’ve read many posts discussing concerns like these and I have to say this is the most inspirational one I have read! Unfortunately, many just rant and bitch and point fingers, etc. They are not very good at opening our eyes to what could happen and all that are at risk… including those of us who feel “safe” because we may not be in one of those more publicly recognized groups you point out. I so wish more could focus on an effective use of our rights to accomplish progress, as you talk about. It’s surely a time of concern. We will be ready.
Wendy
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Yes, I am ready! Ready for a change, finally feeling hopeful. Also, I am grateful to you, Weeks. After the election, organizations, non-profits, and merchants sent out anguished and/or angry emails. One I received as a customer was so vituperative about people who voted differently from the business owner that I asked her to donate the remainder of my subscription to someone else. She did, and she wasn’t nice about it. So I’m grateful that Modern Quilt Studio and this blog have kept a strict separation between business and the rest of life. I enjoy your blog, and have every reason to keep purchasing from your business. I hope your example can be a good one for all of us who disagree on some things. Thanks very much. Best wishes for 2017.
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