ENGAGE IN CIVIC AFFAIRS, know what your government is doing, and then do something about it - support, oppose, or propose alternatives! 

For important details see: ProtocolsForDemocracy & Lynn's Journal

Your local, county, state, federal, and international governments should be followed like a hawk! And be prepared to take them to court if they violate their oaths of office, most particularly the Sunshine Act. The transcripts of government meetings, particularly "public comments", should be your weekly reading...because those transcripts represent our true "FREE PRESS", with citizens being the real journalists reporting real news, information, and opinions - not a privately-owned or government-controlled news media.  

It's important to meet with your political representatives and go to your local town or city council meetings, committee meetings, school board meetings and the like.  Follow the issues, stand up and speak out, send emails, and write letters...using constructive criticism. And get your friends and neighbors to do likewise.  Your voices make a difference. Today, most government public meetings are also broadcast online, cable, and radio. So, your audience can be quite large.

Also, note that anyone can attend school board meetings.  Often parents are reluctant to speak out for fear that their children will be treated unfairly as a result, and that's a real concern.  So, it's important that grandparents and other members of society take an interest in our children's education... because they are our future.  And stay focused on the issues, not political parties, and discuss solutions that make sense for everyone!  

 
  https://commons.wikimedia.org

JOIN CIVIC ASSOCIATIONS or start your own Neighborhood Network, so that you can help yourself and others in good times and bad! See: Neighborhood Networks / Be Prepared / First Aid

We need to help each other, because we can't make a better life for everyone... all-by-ourselves!  It is particularly important for our neighborhoods to "Be Prepared" for any natural or man-made disaster, because if yours is the only family on the block with food to eat, that's not going to 'go down' well with the rest of your neighbors.  Join your local civic association and work through them. However, if one doesn't exist, or that doesn't work for you, then start your own. The first step in organizing your community is to put together a simple Neighborhood Network Sample letter.  Later on, if necessary, you can publish a website that features helpful information, such as civic meetings and upcoming events, as well as a 'skills share' and 'networking feature'. Organizing your community will give people a sense of belonging and encourage them to focus on skills and issues that will make our communities more resilient, engaged, and enjoyable.

GET ORGANIZED to keep yourself on track!

 Get your act together!  Organize yourself to be "goal oriented" so that you can be productive, fulfilled, and happy. Besides, it’s hard to help others if your life is a chaotic mess. Start with your home - make it your sanctuary - warm and cozy, clean and tidy, uplifting and inspiring. Also, make & post LISTS to help keep your life balanced and on track. Your goals and objectives may change over time, but lists will help you stay focused. Lists help remind you of important tasks as well as things you enjoy. Just don't let your lists overwhelm you. Keep everything in perspective. Do your best, then let the universe do the rest!

• Daily To-Do List  –  Think if it as triage, first listing things you must do that day. Then you can include things of lesser importance.
• Short Term Objectives – Training, classes, personal goals, etc.
• Long Term Goals – Family, friends, careers, activities, hobbies, community engagement, etc.
• Make A Budget -  Live within your means and avoid debt, because financial problems are a major source of stress.
• Problems & Solutions List - When things start to overwhelm you, list both the problems and possible solutions, and then get to work.
• My Favorite Things - Create a binder of great photos and list of books, movies, art, songs, sayings, jokes, etc., that will remind you of uplifting, inspiring, and downright funny things you enjoy!

<<< Begin your own "Make Sense" Journal (binder) to help keep you on track, express yourself, and work through complex issues.