It's a twisty-gut sort of morning. Another day, more people dead.
Now what?
Seriously.
I want to lock our lawmakers in a room with the whole population of our blessed country standing outside chanting, "We will not be moved! Act now!"
Because not only are innocent children and people being killed, not only are law enforcement officers being overworked and sent into horrific situations, but our spirit is being killed and our FEAR of acting is rising.
For the past year I have been participating in this series of step meetings from a nonprofit called The Red Boot Coalition. In each meeting, those present "work" a step. What that means is that after the step is read, each person gets a chance to respond using "I" statements. People listen. There is no fixing, changing, or judging how a person experiences the step. We hold the space and in doing so, my world has been opened through each lens, story, and viewpoint shared. It feels like action on a microscopic level.
How does that relate to this particular (and yet redundant) horrific morning?
Because, in holding this present morning, what I desire more than anything is to understand so that my actions gel with my understanding.
What is going on? and what can I do about it? I don't see a need to spend another single minute pointing fingers. Instead, I point to the dead and the grieving families and I know without a single shred of doubt that every parent in this country fears this event. I do not want to live my life in fear.
On a very basic level, I do not care how anyone feels about gun control. Because in the end, someone found a gun and pulled the trigger and now there are dead people because of those two basic facts. And this reaction of mine is normal and I get to have it. But how can I use it? I know I can do better, I just don't know what better is. Instead of shutting down and out what can I do? I am using this as my guide right now. Maybe you can, too.
Step Two: We came to see that, despite sometimes feeling small and powerless, we possess the power to positively influence all those with whom we come into contact, which on any given day can be literally hundreds of people. We are empowered.
For me, embedded within this statement is the crazy notion that I can be bold. I can look someone in the eye and say, "I don't know, but I do know something has to be done. What can I do? Can you help me figure this out."
I know I am not alone. And that seems to be the crux of it. We are all sitting alone wondering what we can do and then doing nothing.
I am going to reach out. I will be practical and start with the whole calling campaign of my legislators. They need to hear from me.
And I will go to my meeting on Saturday and work the step we are on which, timely enough. is this:
Step Eleven: We are engaged.
I have a lot of thinking to do on engagement. Prayers, lighting candles, yes, even talk. It simply is not enough.
Sen. Al Franken
Phone: 202-224-5641
Email: Sen.Franken@opencongress.org
Twitter: @alfranken
Sen. Amy Klobuchar
Phone: 202-224-3244
Email: TK EMAIL ADDRESS
Twitter: “@amyklobuchar"
Rep. Timothy J. Walz
Phone: 202-225-2472
Email: Rep.Walz@opencongress.org
Twitter: @RepTimWalz
Rep. John Kline
Phone: 202-225-2271
Email: Rep.Kline@opencongress.org
Twitter: “@repjohnkline"
Rep. Erik Paulsen
Phone: 202-225-2871
Email: Rep.Paulsen@opencongress.org
Twitter: @RepErikPaulsen
Rep. Betty McCollum
Phone: 202-225-6631
Email: Rep.Mccollum@opencongress.org
Twitter: “@BettyMcCollum04"
Rep. Keith Ellison
Phone: 202-225-4755
Email: Rep.Ellison@opencongress.org
Twitter: @keithellison
Tom Emmer
Phone: 202-225-2331
Email: Rep.Emmer@opencongress.org
Twitter: “@tomemmer"
Rep. Collin C. Peterson
Phone: 202-225-2165
Email: Rep.Collinpeterson@opencongress.org
Twitter: “@collinpeterson"
Rep. Rick Nolan
Phone: 202-225-6211
Email: Rep.Nolan@opencongress.org
Twitter: “@USRepRickNolan"
And here is a LINK to the entire congress to find information on your state.
Now what?
Seriously.
I want to lock our lawmakers in a room with the whole population of our blessed country standing outside chanting, "We will not be moved! Act now!"
Because not only are innocent children and people being killed, not only are law enforcement officers being overworked and sent into horrific situations, but our spirit is being killed and our FEAR of acting is rising.
For the past year I have been participating in this series of step meetings from a nonprofit called The Red Boot Coalition. In each meeting, those present "work" a step. What that means is that after the step is read, each person gets a chance to respond using "I" statements. People listen. There is no fixing, changing, or judging how a person experiences the step. We hold the space and in doing so, my world has been opened through each lens, story, and viewpoint shared. It feels like action on a microscopic level.
How does that relate to this particular (and yet redundant) horrific morning?
Because, in holding this present morning, what I desire more than anything is to understand so that my actions gel with my understanding.
What is going on? and what can I do about it? I don't see a need to spend another single minute pointing fingers. Instead, I point to the dead and the grieving families and I know without a single shred of doubt that every parent in this country fears this event. I do not want to live my life in fear.
On a very basic level, I do not care how anyone feels about gun control. Because in the end, someone found a gun and pulled the trigger and now there are dead people because of those two basic facts. And this reaction of mine is normal and I get to have it. But how can I use it? I know I can do better, I just don't know what better is. Instead of shutting down and out what can I do? I am using this as my guide right now. Maybe you can, too.
Step Two: We came to see that, despite sometimes feeling small and powerless, we possess the power to positively influence all those with whom we come into contact, which on any given day can be literally hundreds of people. We are empowered.
For me, embedded within this statement is the crazy notion that I can be bold. I can look someone in the eye and say, "I don't know, but I do know something has to be done. What can I do? Can you help me figure this out."
I know I am not alone. And that seems to be the crux of it. We are all sitting alone wondering what we can do and then doing nothing.
I am going to reach out. I will be practical and start with the whole calling campaign of my legislators. They need to hear from me.
And I will go to my meeting on Saturday and work the step we are on which, timely enough. is this:
Step Eleven: We are engaged.
I have a lot of thinking to do on engagement. Prayers, lighting candles, yes, even talk. It simply is not enough.
************************************************************************************************
Minnesota Guide:Sen. Al Franken
Phone: 202-224-5641
Email: Sen.Franken@opencongress.org
Twitter: @alfranken
Sen. Amy Klobuchar
Phone: 202-224-3244
Email: TK EMAIL ADDRESS
Twitter: “@amyklobuchar"
Rep. Timothy J. Walz
Phone: 202-225-2472
Email: Rep.Walz@opencongress.org
Twitter: @RepTimWalz
Rep. John Kline
Phone: 202-225-2271
Email: Rep.Kline@opencongress.org
Twitter: “@repjohnkline"
Rep. Erik Paulsen
Phone: 202-225-2871
Email: Rep.Paulsen@opencongress.org
Twitter: @RepErikPaulsen
Rep. Betty McCollum
Phone: 202-225-6631
Email: Rep.Mccollum@opencongress.org
Twitter: “@BettyMcCollum04"
Rep. Keith Ellison
Phone: 202-225-4755
Email: Rep.Ellison@opencongress.org
Twitter: @keithellison
Tom Emmer
Phone: 202-225-2331
Email: Rep.Emmer@opencongress.org
Twitter: “@tomemmer"
Rep. Collin C. Peterson
Phone: 202-225-2165
Email: Rep.Collinpeterson@opencongress.org
Twitter: “@collinpeterson"
Rep. Rick Nolan
Phone: 202-225-6211
Email: Rep.Nolan@opencongress.org
Twitter: “@USRepRickNolan"
And here is a LINK to the entire congress to find information on your state.
This is a great post. I admit I'm a little jealoud since I WANTED to write something this morning and somehow couldn't find the words. And none of us want to leave in fear and we DO have to be the voice that speaks up. I'm just not quite sure where to start.
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