It’s time to kick Monday’s ass…

I’m over 2020. It feels like we’ve had a whole decade pass us by in the last few months – it’s hard to even know how to react anymore.

Continents on fire, plagues, murder hornets…

And actual murder. Like what happened to George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery.

I admit to being kinda numb today, and not knowing how to articulate myself with what’s happening in the world. I didn’t know if I should say something or not. When I decided to talk about it, I agonized on what to say.

Ultimately I landed at I don’t know. I don’t know what to say or do when so many people are hurting.

But I’ll be here trying to help however I can. Sometimes that’s all you can do – be present, look for opportunities to help. Even if helping is just listening.

That brings us to…

Kick Monday’s Ass Video

I admit that I didn’t want to talk about racism and violence against the black community when I sat down to write today… it felt like adding to the noise, or throwing out a cheap “me too! I’m a sensitive white person!” platitude.

But when I sat with it, I realized I was uncomfortable talking about it. That’s not the same as wanting to avoid contributing to the noise.

Discomfort is something we have to sit with and examine if we ever hope to grow. When we avoid it, it has a way of circling back to bite us in the ass… usually in a very big, way more uncomfortable way.

I’m uncomfortable because I’m not afraid of dying when I get pulled over. I’m uncomfortable because my dad is a police officer – one of the GOOD ones who entered the force specifically so he could help at-risk youth avoid a hard life wherever possible.

I don’t like saying I “get both sides” because I’m on the side of humanity – where we treat each other with respect, regardless of skin color or shiny badge and a gun.

So in the end, I couldn’t NOT talk about what’s happening right now – it feels completely tone deaf to avoid it and pretend it’s business as usual.

I won’t pretend I have answers – I don’t. I’ll do my part to help. And if people don’t want to be helped, I’ll let them be until they feel ready for it.

That’s what this week’s video is about – helping people who don’t want help (and what to do about it):

(here’s a link to the video in case you don’t see it embedded below)

Self improvement is a long, hard climb. And the thing about it is – you can’t improve someone else’s “self” for them. You can only do that for you.

So step up where you’re able to – and help others step up when they’re able to. Let folks who aren’t ready to step up go – that allows you more space and energy to keep helping folks ready to step up.

Badass of the Week

My badass of the week is everyone striving toward community and togetherness and problem solving.

Thank you for doing some of the hardest work out there.

On Repeat This Week
I’ve shared this one before when I was in a feisty mood… turns out it hits repeat when I’m in a “want to fight everything but don’t know who to punch” mood as well.

This week’s song is “Divided… Conquer Them” by Nonpoint.

This hits me like a gutpunch every time: What if it was all left up to us? What if we decided it was up to us?

Because ultimately… it is up to us.

It’s Monday y’all… get out there and kick some ass.

Rock on,
Angie