ACTIVISM…
- “That sounds scary!”
- “Everyone will think I’m weird and judge me for doing that”
- “What if someone I know sees me doing it?”
- “People will be offended by such a blatant approach”
- “What if people get angry and yell at me?”
- “I might mess up a conversation or not know the answer”
… Any of these thoughts sound familiar to you?
Honestly, same! We’ve all been there – and continue to be there – because the reality is: Activism is hard. It is plagued by our fears. It is scary and uncomfortable.
Perhaps though, we need to get comfortable with being uncomfortable?
“Courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.” ~ Nelson Mandela.
So fear is NOT a reason to stay silent – it’s the very place where courage begins! When our fears are holding us back, perhaps we need to ask ourselves the question:”What’s the worst that can happen?”
Suppose some do walk by and think “There’s those fruitcake pro-lifers” … is this really a big deal in the face of 47 babies a day being violently destroyed?
Suppose someone you know does see you doing it … is it really so terrible for them to know that you are a person of conviction who cares enough to take action?
Suppose some are offended or think we are too blatant … is that really disastrous, or is it a sign you have successfully pricked the seared conscience of our culture?
Suppose some people are angry and do yell at you … is that really catastrophic, or is it simply evidence that abortion hurts so many in our society there is a multitude of walking wounded, and their anger is a mask for their hurt?
Suppose you do have a mind blank or don’t handle a conversation perfectly — does that really negate your witness, or does it instead highlight the authenticity of someone who is willing to stand for truth without having all the answers?
I for one have never had a single activism shift where I was free from fear. I have never had a single activism shift where I handled conversations perfectly or knew just the right thing to say.
I have also never had a single activism shift that I regret doing.
So this year, let’s strive to get comfortable with being uncomfortable.
Let us triumph over our fears, by remembering what is at stake.
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