2024 VP Nominee, Tim Walz, Can Call Me Weird!

Tim Walz can call me weird, but I appreciate this serious crisis I am experiencing in Asheville, NC.

“You never want a serious crisis to go to waste!” – Rahm Emanuel

Reminded: I am a creature of habit. After seven days without power, I still walk into a room and reach for a light switch! Take a breath and be present!

Resourcefulness: Many times, when facilitating a group or team doing an exercise or completing an initiative, I will ask, “Are you using all your resources? What are your resources? What questions need to be asked? What are the implications of what you are doing?” This crisis has made me a participant who must answer these questions to move forward. Take a breath and continue to be resourceful!

Creativity: Creativity gets sparked when seeking ways forward. The human spirit shows ingenuity and sparks many “What ifs.” Take a breath and be creative!

Kindness: The table has turned in this crisis. I am seeing far more kindness and empathy and less incivility! Yes, some motorists still don’t follow protocol at 4-way stops, but the sharing, the smiles, the “How are you doing?” and the phone calls and texts from people I haven’t heard from checking in on us have brought smiles. Take a breath and be kind!

Patience: This crisis has tested patience. I’ve been waiting in line to get gas for the car, waiting for water to boil to make coffee, listening to someone ramble on and on without taking a breath, waiting for power to come back on! (It’s still off), and waiting for water to come back on (this could take weeks!) Take a breath and be patient!

Need: There is so much I want and so little I need. So many people around me need things like a warm bed to sleep in, food to eat, water for drinking and bathing, medications filled, and just a hug! Take a breath and share privileges with those in need.

Community: We live in a nation that promotes individualism. But it’s a community that allows for survival and thriving. I recognize I need “me” time and aloneness, but I need others, especially with whom I can be vulnerable. I need a community that supports rather than fixes me, respects me and my differences, and shares their strengths and competencies where I am weak and incompetent. Take a breath and seek, build, and grow a community!