Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago. ~Warren Buffett
Today is many things.
An anniversary.
A test.
A deadline.
It’s the culmination of efforts – large and small – from people across the country.
There will be people who win, and others who lose. There will be many surprises. The only sure thing is that it’s going to be a night of ups and downs.
The outcomes of the races themselves are obviously important. But no matter what happens – no matter who wins the House, or what the headlines say tomorrow, or whether we’re drinking champaigne or drowning our sorrows… please know that it’s all still just the beginning.
Warren Buffet once said that someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.
Some things, some of the best things, in fact, take time.
The strongest trees grow slowly.
On November 9, 2016, you planted a seed. Other people, just like you, did the same. So while we may be enjoying some of the early benefits of what we have planted, it will be many days – many years, even – before we see their full potential.
Two years ago, I met a woman at an event for newly engaged activists who were (and still are) trying to change the world. She, like so many of us, was finding her way in a new political environment, one in which we became participants rather than spectators.
Yesterday, I volunteered at her campaign to be a state representative.
We talked about how we have come full circle. About how much has changed in the past two years, and about what lies ahead.
Her district isn’t blue, or purple. It’s solidly red. In 2016 nobody even challenged the Republican nominee, because, what’s the point? It would be impossible to win in a district that red. Or at least, that was the conventional wisdom.
But yesterday, I saw a huge map of her district hanging on the wall in her dining room (which now doubles as a volunteer staging area).
The streets were highlighted in different colors.
“What’s with the highlighting?” my friend asked.
“Every street that I’ve canvassed is highlighted in pink. The ones in blue I’ve canvassed twice.” She picked up a highlighter to color in some new areas as I looked across all of those streets. All of those houses. All of those door knocks.
All of those … people.
I tried to find a street in her suburban have-to-drive-everywhere district that wasn’t highlighted. I couldn’t.
No matter the outcome tomorrow, she’s laid the groundwork in that district. She’s started a conversation with neighbors. She’s given them an option.
She planted a seed.
Actually, she planted lots of them.
So, no matter what the results of her race are, she’s got lots of seedlings to help along over the next two years. And had it not been for her efforts over the past two, many of those seedlings wouldn’t have gotten started in the first place.
Over the past two years, you’ve planted seeds, too. You’ve planted many of them. I’m sure of it.
Today is not the end. It’s the beginning.
Get out there and vote.
*I’ll be back next week with a new pep talk and some actions. But today? Today the most important one is to get out there and vote, and to encourage your friends and family to do the same. Take your vitamins. Stay hydrated. I’ll see you on the other side.
~xo, Michele
P.S.: Yes, I am indeed a copywriter! I take a limited number of clients, and with the political cycle ending, I’ll have some openings soon. Visit www.mhornish.com to learn more.
P.P.S.: If you want to help support this work (and help me “keep the lights on,” so to speak), you can do so via Patreon at
https://www.patreon.com/smalldeedsdone
or via paypal at
https://www.paypal.me/smalldeeds
My deepest gratitude in advance.
Thank you for reading. Thank you for writing. I read and respond to every e-mail. (Really! I really do!) We’re in this together.
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Small Deeds Done 