it’s been a minute.
Embracing Growth and Compassion in a Divided World
As I sit down to write this post, I find myself reflecting on the incredible journey that lies ahead. I am both honored and excited to announce that I have been nominated and accepted a role on the North Dakota Chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Board of Directors. My term begins January 1st, 2025, and runs through December 31st, 2027. In this new capacity, I am eager to be a resource for those in need, to connect people with the help and support they deserve.
Mental health is a critical issue, and being part of an organization like NAMI allows me to work toward breaking the stigma, providing resources, and creating a more supportive environment for those who are struggling. But as much as I am excited about this opportunity, I also carry with me the weight of the current moment—both personally and in the larger societal context.
The Struggle to Navigate Today's Media and Politics
As a white, straight woman living in the United States, I am deeply concerned for the wellbeing of my family, my friends, and my community. This concern has only been amplified by the media landscape following the 2024 Presidential Election. There is a constant barrage of information, and it's become increasingly difficult to separate fact from fiction. We are living in a time when fear is often used to manipulate and divide us, and it's hard to know who or what to trust.
Part of the problem is the sheer complexity of the issues we face. Many of us simply do not have the time or the critical understanding to navigate legislative jargon, let alone decipher what is happening behind the headlines. And perhaps the hardest thing of all: we’ll never truly know someone’s intent—whether their actions are malicious, misguided, or well-meaning.
In moments like this, I find myself at a loss for words. I struggle to find a place in the conversation, especially on social media, where the stakes seem so high and the language so divisive. Politics is something I don’t feel I fully understand, and as someone who was diagnosed late in life with ADHD, comprehension has often been a challenge. Even when I read articles and try to form my own opinion, I am often overwhelmed with imposter syndrome. I’m constantly second-guessing myself, wondering if I’ve really understood everything correctly.
This hesitation extends to my role as a voter. Voting is a responsibility I take seriously, but it is also something that, for me, comes with a sense of doubt. I do my best to educate myself, to read different viewpoints, and to understand the issues at hand. But is that ever really enough? Is it possible to understand everything we need to, especially when we’re up against so much misinformation? It feels like there’s no "one-size-fits-all" solution to the political struggles we face, and if there were, maybe we wouldn’t be so divided.
The reality is that, like most people, I just want to do the right thing. I want to make informed decisions, but I also recognize that we can’t all have the same level of knowledge or certainty. Sometimes, the best we can do is educate ourselves to the best of our ability and fail forward, learning from our mistakes.
Struggling with Identity and Allyship
Another area where I’ve felt torn is in my role as an ally. Some of my closest friends are part of the LGBTQ+ community, and my heart aches when I see posts that claim I am not a true ally. It’s hard to see my intentions questioned, especially when I know the love and support I try to show every single day. But who am I, really, to define what it means to be an ally?
I think it’s important to remember that being an ally isn’t a checkbox or a label to be worn. It’s about how we live, how we love, and how we show up for others—especially in the face of adversity. I understand that my vote might not always align with the ideals of everyone around me, but does that really define who I am as a friend or an ally? I’ve come to believe that the true measure of our allyship is in our actions, not our political leanings. We are all imperfect, and sometimes we make decisions that are not 100% aligned with our values. But that doesn’t make us any less worthy of growth and change.
So, yes, I have a lot of questions. I don’t have all the answers, and I don’t claim to. But I do know that I will continue to do my best to be a kind, supportive, and loving person. And if that makes me an ally, then I am proud to be one.
Finding Strength and Purpose in the Face of Loss
In my life, I’ve experienced loss in many forms. I lost my freedom to live a typical childhood due to a chronic illness, I’ve lost family members and friends, my marriage ended, and even a part of my physical self—a foot, to be exact. But through it all, what I haven’t lost is my strength. I still have the ability to be a genuine, caring person, and I am willing to make mistakes and learn from them.
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the weight of loss, whether it’s the loss of something physical or emotional. But I’ve learned that we grow through what we go through. The challenges we face in life are inevitable, but how we choose to respond to them is what shapes us. It’s on each of us to decide whether we allow our struggles to turn us bitter, or whether we allow them to build compassion, resilience, and understanding. We are not defined by our pain, but by how we rise from it.
In a world that feels more divided than ever, it’s easy to feel helpless. But I believe that we are all capable of being the glue that holds others together. Sometimes, we need that glue ourselves. Sometimes we need to lean on others to remind us that even in the storm, there is light.
Moving Forward Together
The road ahead is uncertain, but I am committed to being a source of support for those who need it, whether through my role at NAMI or simply by being there for the people in my life. In a time when fear and division seem to dominate the conversation, I want to focus on what connects us rather than what tears us apart.
We are all living in complex times, but I believe that through compassion, understanding, and a willingness to grow, we can make a difference. There is no simple answer to the political, social, and personal challenges we face. But together, we can find our way forward—one step at a time.
Thank you for taking the time to read my thoughts. I don’t know exactly where this journey will take me, but I know that it will be one of growth, learning, and, above all, love. I hope you’ll join me in embracing that journey, no matter where it leads.
