Note: This week I’m thrilled to again have a guest post by Kelli Dunaway – an elected official, executive and life coach, absolute firecracker… and fantastic friend. When she and I were talking about all of the things going on in the world today, she had some excellent advice and a very fresh perspective. I think you’ll love what she has to say. And I’ll see you next week! ~Michele
When Michele asked me if I could guest write a column for her this week, my first thought was, “yes!” and my second, “sh!t!”
I’ve been feeling so discouraged lately. By the news.
By attacks on reproductive health. By the Missouri Legislature. By climate change. By geopolitics.
By all the hate and anger and fighting and the seemingly insurmountable challenges we face.
Like seriously, what’s the point?
But man, what a Debbie downer column that would be. Y’all would never invite me back.
So instead, I’m going to tell you about this class I just finished on how to read Tarot cards.
It was an online course I stumbled upon when visiting Sincerely, the Craft with my girlfriends. It was “taint week,” the one between Christmas and New Year’s, none of us were working and we were having fun outings all over St. Louis.
After one such lunch at the delightful Fritanga, and in our perpetual hunt for a fun new crystal, we hit up this sparkly metaphysical store. The owner was there that day.
She’s this beautiful, confident, sassy, knowledgeable…witch. At checkout (of course I found a crystal!), she told me about an upcoming Tarot class she was teaching. I took the flyer, thanked her for guiding us through her store, and couldn’t stop thinking about that Tarot class.
Feeling encouraged by my awesome lady friends, I signed up.
And I went all in.
I never missed an assignment and the one class I missed I really did watch the recording (at 1.5 speed). I learned a new way to add depth to knowing myself and helping my clients do the same.
And. Reading Tarot cards is going to be a super fun party trick!
My point here is to remind all of us how important it is that we take care of ourselves. That we do something for us.
That no matter how wild, we find something that piques our curiosities or lathers us in luxury. Find a thing.
Find your Tarot class.
Learning how to do something new has been a great way for me to maintain resiliency against political and legislative setbacks. And to keep moving forward, one.hard.step. at a time.
I bet you know this feeling.
So this week, my small deed to ask is for you to do something that makes your heart sing.
And then keep doing it so long as it makes your heart sing.
Okay, friends.
Let’s get to work.
Actions for the Week of April 18, 2023
Earth Day!
April 22 is Earth Day, and there will be plenty of ways to participate. Go to Earthday.org to find events near you: https://www.earthday.org/earth-day-2023/
For a quick, 5-minute action – watch (and share) this short inspiring video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-nEYsyRlYo
For even more events, the National Park Service is hosting a number of volunteer events around the country. Check here for more details: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/earth-day.htm
But you also don’t need a big event or a personal invitation to do something truly meaningful for your community. Make it a habit to bring along a trash bag on your walks (don’t forget gloves to protect your hands). Plant a few seeds (or throw some seed bombs!) – they’ll brighten your neighborhood and be great for pollinators.
Sometimes climate work and environmental protection can feel overwhelming. There’s a lot to do. But the beautiful thing about nature is …. it’s all around you. So this Earth Day, if you’re feeling overwhelmed with the massiveness of the problem, focus on your own backyard and your own footprint.
Farm Bill 2023 Negotiations Are Happening Now
Every 5 years, the U.S. Congress needs to pass a new Farm Bill, a huge piece of legislation that funds all sorts of major projects, including critical food programs for millions of children in the U.S. living in poverty – and conservation programs (and a lot more). Learn more about the Farm Bill here: https://sustainableagriculture.net/our-work/campaigns/fbcampaign/what-is-the-farm-bill/
One of the biggest pieces of the Farm Bill is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). It helps feed about 42 million low-income Americans, including about 20 million children. It is truly the first line of defense for families struggling to put food on their tables.
Democrats are arguing for no additional SNAP benefit cuts – because the cuts in pandemic-related assistance already hit families hard. https://thehill.com/policy/future-of-farming/3903833-democrats-brace-for-fight-over-snap-benefits-in-farm-bill/
Of course, Republican House members want to make it harder to get benefits (and want work requirements). You may recall that same fight from 2018 when we last went through this dance.
Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) chairs the Senate Ag Committee and will have none of that: “The Chairwoman has been very clear. We are not going to cut SNAP benefits in the 2023 Farm Bill,” a staffer said in a statement. “Imposing new, harsh, bureaucratic work requirements ignores the rigorous requirements that are already in place, and it would only strip benefits away from those who need them.”
Three cheers for Michiganders!
All that said: The current Farm Bill ends in September and the next is being negotiated in Congress right now. Your elected representatives need to know that you want them to protect and strengthen SNAP for the approximately 20 million children who rely on it.
On Wednesday, there will be a hearing about SNAP and other nutrition assistance in the Farm Bill. https://www.agriculture.senate.gov/hearings/snap-and-other-nutrition-assistance-in-the-farm-bill (You can see all the hearings about the Farm Bill here: https://www.agriculture.senate.gov/hearings)
Tune in to watch. And start reaching out to your House members – especially if they are Republicans – to let them know that you want SNAP protected.
Gun Reform, Ralph Yarl Protest
Last week, 16-year-old Ralph Yarl went to pick up his siblings from a playdate. He rang the wrong doorbell and was shot by the 85-year-old white homeowner.
I imaging you already recognize that Ralph is black.
The KC prosecutor has brought felony charges, but this case is yet another example of the problems with so-called Stand Your Ground laws, which permit – and in some ways even encourage – a “shoot first, ask questions later” mentality. With the prevalence of guns in Missouri, the lack of common sense gun regulations, and the 24/7/365 fear being pumped into living rooms thanks to FOX, the GOP has built a powder keg.
If you are in the KC area, The People’s Coalition has scheduled another protest titled “Indict Him Now” tonight at 5pm. I imagine this will be rebranded now that he has been indicted. It will be at the KC Police Department Headquarters.
Join your local Moms Demand chapter to find ways to lobby your local and state elected officials to make your communities safer from gun violence. We know that Americans want change – and we can make it happen. Go here to join: https://momsdemandaction.org/
Movement Voter Project (H/T to Jessica Craven of Chop Wood Carry Water):
Movement Voter Project is an org highly recommended by Jessica Craven – and you can join their “There’s No Such Thing as an “Off Year,” will be on Wednesday, April 19. In addition to presentations by MVP staff, this will also feature leaders from MVP grassroots partners in battleground states talking about their work.
Further details about the event and an RSVP link can be found here.
WHEW! GO, YOU!
If you’d like to sign up to get this pep talk and action list in your in-box each week, you can do that here. Welcome, friend!
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. Don’t you forget it.
P.S.: If you want to help support this work 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.
P.P.S: Why don’t you make someone’s day and send this pep talk to a friend or two? I bet they need it.
P.S.: If you want to help support this work 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.
P.P.S: Why don’t you make someone’s day and send this pep talk to a friend or two? I bet they need it.
Small Deeds Done 