My son told me about the protest on inauguration day as a bit of an aside. He was going to attend with his friend and casually slipped in that he could send me the link.

The weather forecast for that day was brutal. Temperatures well below zero. So, I told him I’d let him be with his friend and not tag along. I knew my being there would change the energy, too.

But then his friend decided the march started too early.

I’ll be honest. I didn’t want to go. I called Ben out of his room to tell him that there would be other actions. That I knew he was likely feeling pulled to act today, now, and not going would feel like a betrayal of his principles. But, safety was important, we could do something smaller, more local to our neighborhood.

The look on his face should have been enough to get me off my ass.

But it wasn’t until my son came and told me plainly: I’m going, an extra pair of gloves he’d dug out of his closet in his hand (I’d lost mine), that I finally awoke from whatever complacent haze the weather had sent me to and committed to joining him.

We had a great day, albeit cold as shit.

The energy was uplifting. The feeling of defiance and strength inspiring.

I thanked him for being mildly insistent.

There are two truths in this share: Many times, you’re going to have to push yourself out of your comfort zone, whether physically, emotionally or both, to advance whatever you care about in this world. And, there will always be other actions. You can’t be everywhere and you can’t do everything. So sometimes taking a pass and staying warm is necessary.

Most importantly, though, for me, is the idea that being in community is action. Don’t ever underestimate the power of being in community, in all the ways that word can manifest, like book clubs and morning coffees and marches and protests and walks in nature alone.

So, my invitation to you today is to find community. Be intentional and present. Take notice of how you feel, the shifts in your own outlook and perspective. What does being in community feel like in your body? What does being in community feel like in your heart?

The Light Links

Why The Paris Climate Agreement Matters in 5 Graphics

Giant Panda Cam! (Bao Li and Qing Bao are back in Washington)

Book Rec: Let’s Move the Needle (a book about craftivism!)

I Am Not Always Very Attached To Being Alive 

Andrea Gibson’s “Say Yes”