I am a Libra, and as such, I always strive for balance and fairness. I’m also a change agent; individuals and organizations hire me to help them navigate change better. To put it very simply, I assess the current state, identify the future state (desired change), create a strategy and timeline, and provide the solutions necessary to successfully implement the change. Much like politics; I ask a lot of questions and people get defensive. So here’s my disclaimer, my intent is always to understand and provide support wherever I’m able. My goal is that everyone feel seen, heard, and valued. Always.

My heart is heavy that so many fellow Americans want this. Want an authoritarian leadership. Want LGBTQ+ rights stripped. Want immigrants deported. Want women’s rights revoked. And before anyone gets defensive, please know these are based on my personal interactions, not media.

I have a number of loved ones whose spouses and/or parents may be deported. Even my 85yo Canadian Grandma is afraid she will be kicked out since my grandfather (her American husband) has passed. And let me remind you that as a country, we still haven’t reunited all of the children ripped away from their families during the Trump administration’s 2018 “zero tolerance” policy! Horrific! To my friends with immigrant parents and loved ones, please connect if I can offer any love or support.

I also understand the privilege that comes to me simply because I am a straight white woman. As a high school dropout and young single mom from a small farming community, I am fairly certain I would not have achieved the same level of success if my skin were a different color. Some would argue that my talent would speak for itself. And while yes, I agree with that statement, I may never have gotten the opportunity to showcase my talent. To my friends of color, I promise to always lift you up and support in any way I can.

To my peeps who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community. We all deserve the right to be authentically ourselves and love who we love. That’s a basic human right that no one should ever have to defend. I will always support your right to be uniquely you, and live and love however the fuck you want!

And let’s be really clear…it’s not the drag queens hurting America’s children. Statically, men own the majority for crimes of a sexual nature AND violent crime and domestic violence offenses, and white men take the lead. Statistically, that’s also the majority of Trump voters. Not making any judgements, just stating my observation.

I saw a picture of a young man who’d voted for the first time and his shirt had the American flag with an assault rifle over it. I’m sure to that young man it was a big deal and he was proud. But when I see that image it breaks my heart for all the families who have lost loved ones to gun violence and mass shootings because this country won’t change the laws to protect our children from the threat within.

I go to Planned Parenthood in WA for all of my women’s healthcare. Why? I have always and will always support PP and I have not yet found a female care provider in the state of MS that I feel has my best interests at heart. At PP I am treated like a human. All of my options are clearly explained. There is no time rush, all of my questions are answered. They are always kind and patient. The downside? Being yelled at by men and women from the moment I enter the parking lot. It shouldn’t be this fucking hard for women to get their healthcare needs met! To my fellow humans (especially those born as female), I will ALWAYS support every human’s right to their body!

To those who want more conservative religious beliefs followed so you can maintain your traditional family values, please remember faith is an individual choice. You have the right to yours and I have the right to mine and neither of us should be forced to follow the rules of another. Organized religion can’t even agree on what is or isn’t allowed! You all keep doing your own thing and let me do mine! And yes, I know, I would have been one of the witches burned back in the day. Guess I should be thankful we’re not going that far back…

I’ve attended business networking events where prayer and the pledge of allegiance were on the agenda. I always get looks because I will not recite the pledge of allegiance. I will pray with you, but my integrity does not allow me to pledge something that is untrue. And I know some of you are losing your shit right now, but hear me out. None of it is true! Just for starters, never in the history of this country has there ever been liberty and justice for all. Period. I’m not willing to stand on someone else’s throat for the possibility of an extra $ in my pocket.

I propose we make pledges for 2025 that we can recite truthfully from our heart. Here’s what I’ve been playing with: I pledge allegiance to humanity that resides with me on planet earth, to be kind, curious and show love for my fellow human, while caring for the planet and its life-beings.

Here’s to another week of living your life by design, not by default!

P.S. As I get older I realize more and more that I’m becoming that old free-spirited hippie lady I admired so much in my 20’s and 30’s. Back then tho, I was wound too tight and still had too many fucks to give.