It’s the one democratic tool we are given in our society.  It’s a constitutional right.  If we don’t vote we are apathetic, ina sense saying we don’t support our democracy.  This may apply to illegals, felons, or indigenous peoples and that is their right to negate their voice. Or I. The case of undocumented or illegals and felons they’re have been stripped of their voting rights or were never given them.  

But everyone in America benefits from government.  If you walked on a sidewalk or drove on a road today you benefited from circulation infrastructure built by your city, state or nation to provide you with safer transportation.  

So not voting is unfair to your fellow citizens who pay for these joint benefits through their vote, which governs them and you.  Your vote elects representatives who legislate and decide who pays taxes for what collective services we all use in our communities.  

Voting is the one small power we are given in a democracy.  

To not cast your vote is to say I don’t believe in democracy.  

To refuse to vote is saying I’ll let someone else decide.  

To protest by declining to vote is one way of staging a silent protest against the powers that be and the system that governs you.  But if you’re pulled over by a police officer on the same day you don’t vote you still have to submit to their power.  You still have to obey the laws made by the elected which require your compliance with the officer who has authority over you.  So why not vote?

My parents always instilled in me the value of my vote.  

To them it was a duty.  

It was non-negotiable.  Like wearing our seatbelts.  Or applying to college.  

So I vote.  Because I value my
Vote.  And I value yours.  

 

Being able to accept and be compassionate about our own shortcomings permits us to see other people with the same level of complexity as we see ourselves, which moves us towards being able to better communicate with others to work towards the common goal most people have of creating a better world for themselves and future generations.

Hawaiians 
Polluted lands
Development and subsequent Erosion and exposure of Iwi
Homelessness and lack of access to health care services 

Health and self care
Time in nature/spiritual practice
Love
Family
Peace 

When our minds are centered on thoughts of gratitude, appreciation, and acknowledge the present gifts in our lives there is no room for negativity to interfere with our motivation.  By remaining in gratitude we are able to work for a better world from a place of thanksgiving.  Is from within this place of thanks that we are able to give our gifts to others; sharing with the world our unique strengths, talents, and willingness we have recognized through practicing gratitude.  Acknowledging our gifts allows us to help others discover and embrace their own. 

image of yours truly with One of my greatest mentors 

By helping people understand inequities in demographics within American cities and rural communities