Q. Why does the Americans of Conscience Checklist take a break every month?
A. We’ve learned a few things after 18 months of creating a weekly 3000-word document that helps Americans speak up without drama or name calling. We love helping people find hope and encouragement to participate in creating a better America.
Here’s the thing: The people behind the checklist—myself, the volunteer researchers, and social media peeps—are human beings with hearts and lives. Our purposeful weekly deep-dive into the dark underbelly of our country is taxing. It is hard work looking up-close at the toxic, inhumane, racist agendas driving policy and practice that affect real lives.
We know that to persevere, we have to take breaks. We have to pace ourselves. We have to stop pushing periodically so that our hearts can process the feelings, our blood pressure can drop, and our bodies can truly rest. Nothing in nature grows without also resting. So this became our principle when we decided to take every 4th Sunday off each month.
This summer, we’re actually taking off two consecutive Sundays, but I’ll provide a short list of resources this weekend for anyone feeling just a little too antsy to rest that long. We get it. 🙂
Please, please keep choosing action from a place of love rather than fear. Keep speaking up because you believe in a better America, because you know our people are better than what’s in the headlines. These times are concerning and need action. When we engage with love, we persevere.
Be well,
Jen