I’ve been keeping my head down lately, because my heart cannot take negativity. I just really can’t deal. But I read something this morning that made me realize that ducking negativity isn’t enough, it is important actually turn things into positive. This is from a weirdly wise twitter account I follow, it started with this really cool note:
Avocado @RealAvocadoFact Mar 12 Avocados are packed with potassium your brain can use to do feminism, spurn capitalism, unmake white supremacy, lots of things.
and then I saw these:
Avocado @RealAvocadoFact Mar 1
the response to this has already been…avocado will tell you a trick it uses
and if you already feel good, you can listen for the messages that wear down the other people you see, and try telling them other messages
When I saw those, I realized that while I push away negative messages, I hadn’t thought to turn them around, or to do that for others. I work in a customer service job, which is draining — it takes a lot of energy to pretend to be chipper for 8 hours. So I hadn’t thought of the thing the person behind the avocado had.
The Hill Country Ride for AIDS is a lot like this avocado account. Positive, interested in building people up. Friendly & welcoming. This Ride doesn’t bundle money up & send it off to a lab (not that research isn’t fantastic & wonderful & I’m glad for all the advances). It goes directly to help people who are living with HIV/AIDS — food bank, dental clinic, case management, subsidizing meds…. Direct help to people right now. So please if you can donate to my Hill Country Ride page. Here’s some examples of what your money does:
$120 provides education for 440 people. Education is one of the most important tools in reducing new infections.
$250 provides 3 family counseling sessions. It can be devastating for a family when a member is diagnosed, and we know that an intact family unit promotes health and provides a built in support.
$500 provides a month of rent for one family in supportive housing. Assistance with food, daily chores, trips to medical appointments and social support create a foundation for continued health and a step toward independence.
$1,000 gives 450 home cooked meals for hospice patients. When in hospice, there are often unique food needs. You can make sure that final days are spent with delicious food that doesn't upset someone's stomach.
and here is a song that reminds me most of the Ride
Everyone is helpful, everyone is kind, on the road to shambala. Let’s all be kind to each other. And if you could, please help people with AIDS by donating to my AIDS Ride page
and because I really just can’t do a diary without my darling boys — here’s them doing a positive, uplifting song and I hope you have a beautiful day:
How do you turn things around, or what cheers you up? Add positive songs or messages. I’d like a great big blob of happiness here.