The Introverted Advocate

Does advocacy seem like a good way to make your contribution to the world? Does the first step of advocating seem too big to tackle?

I get that. I really do.

I mean how to get started? Advocacy seems like what other brave folks do. Advocacy appears to require knowledge and networking and information.

And that's an accurate component of advocacy. But here's the wonderful thing. You can make Your advocacy what You want it to be.

EP008 90-Second Book Review: Daring Greatly by Brene Brown

My good friend, Jenn, has a new vegan cafe in Eatonville, Florida. We sat down to chat about many things. This 32-minute episode was delightful to record with Jenn. Enjoy!

It was a hot summer day in 2014. After months of brainstorming for ways to advocate for folks with hearing loss, I was ready to take a big leap.

But as an introvert, reaching out to strangers was unnerving. A bit daunting for sure.

Just to be clear, I'm usually fine with one-on-one interactions. Small talk can be tedious for introverts, but if the topic of conversation is something we adore, we could talk your ears off… All.Week.Long.

You may wonder why I advocate.

This is a huge question. And I have answers.

But first, let me say this:

1. The mission of my podcast is to illustrate how and why I became an advocate.
2. Through my personal stories, I will show how advocacy has changed me as a person.
3. Another goal is to shine a spotlight on people who have inspired me along the way.

Simply put – Here are two questions I asked myself during the last few years:

1. What lights up my heart so passionately that I feel compelled to offer a hand?
2. What group or cause brightened my world to such a degree I want to give back a little in return?

And here is my personal conclusion:

I advocate because I must. I advocate because I trust my heart. I advocate because I see a need.

Everyone on earth will experience a "plot twist" in their lives. This is my story and how it changed everything. But with a bit of help from others and a lot of personal grit and determination, I'm rewriting my story. And it's a grand adventure with lots more to go.

A small act of compassion and hope can go quite a long way indeed.

Gratitude is the foundation of great joy!

Advocate, Firefighter, Legg-Perthes Disease, Kindergarten, Kindness, Compassion, Inclusion, Respect, Disability