 Coronavirus has moved into our minds filling them with worries and fear. As of today, we don’t know what to expect. I find myself vacillating between worry and reason. I’m certainly no prognosticator, but I do know that things will unfold and we can control only a small part of the outcome. Like you, I’m hoping for the best.
When it was originally conceived, the central goal of You+1 was to give more introverted individuals a non-political way to support others to vote in the 2020 elections. That continues to be true. If you are in a state that has a primary vote today (Idaho, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota, Washington)… vote! Leadership is important and can be a stabilizing force in times of crisis. You have a say in the leadership of our country. Your vote is important. But You+1 has a second purpose and that is the healing of our country. It encourages individuals to talk to one another about important issues in a caring way. Maybe today, You+1 is less about politics and more about caring for others. Stay in touch with the people in your life. Love the people you love. Extend gratitude and grace wherever you can. Be well.
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 If you visited You+1 and shared the idea with someone else, it’s working. I know because everyday, new people discover and share You+1. Everyday, individuals pledge to support one another.
Super Tuesday is March 3. Simply by telling someone about You+1, you raise their awareness about voting. Or ask a co-worker if they plan to vote in the primary or caucus. -- Your interest goes a long way to remind others about the election process. You don’t need to debate candidates or issues. Simply ask the question. (If they wonder why you are asking, tell them you are a part of You+1). Now is a good time to reach out to others or to make a social media post about You+1. General interest in the election is rising and more people are sharing. Keep up the good work quiet, caring people. We build strength in numbers. Thank you.  Thank you for being here.
Many individuals are aggression-averse. These highly attuned individuals are aware when situations shift to the contentious. They value harmony, compromise, and a willingness to find mutually agreeable solutions. As political campaigns become combative, their antenna goes up -- and they feel increased anxiety. You+1 is a way to stay active in the election and support others to vote in a genuine, caring, non-aggressive way. We can reach millions of people with a message of caring and support. a) Think about the people you know b) Share with a few or share broadly c) Ask the people you share with to share with their friends. d) Find your +1 Sometimes I imagine what it would be like if all of the aggression-averse individuals in the US showed up to vote on the same day. (I think it might be wonderful.) Will you join me?  I just read an article about the Iowa Caucus. It was not an especially high caucus turnout. Despite the importance of the coming election, many voters did not feel clear enough or motivated enough to participate. In many ways, this is understandable. And yet, the approaching presidential election is very important.
Is there anything that one person can do? There are probably many things…. But You+1 is one of them. You can spread the word about You+1 to engage and empower more and more individuals in the voting process. When you tell a few of your friends… as those friends tell their friends…. You+1 spreads (in a positive way… but not unlike how the coronavirus spreads from one to many). Or, if you care about something, say climate change, and are part of an organization, you can share You+1 with everyone in the organization. In an email you could say, "I've found You+1, an interesting platform to encourage voters. We both care about *climate change*. Will you join me in sharing You+1 to support others to vote in the presidential election?" Either way, with You+1
Will you join me?  I ran into an old friend today. She asked me what I’ve been up to. Fortunately, I had some You+1 share cards in my purse. I told her about You+1. She read the card, shook her head and said, “Many people I know are turning off their televisions because they are tired of politics. I’m worried that they may not vote.”
You+1 felt like a positive way to help her friends stay engaged in the election in a genuine and productive way. She smiled and said "I'll definitely share this with my friends."  Tomorrow is the Women’s March. I plan to attend my local march to hand out You+1 Share cards, My hope it to invite several hundred individuals to consider You+1.
Update: About 12% of people receiving cards have responded to You+1. The movement is growing!  We turned the page on the calendar and people are sharing You+1 at an even faster clip. Email and social media are good ways to share. I am also happy to send you You+1 Share Cards.
Share Cards are business card-size, can be kept in your wallet, and are an easy way to give others the web address when you're away from your computer. The standard order is 5 cards… but I have some folks who order hundreds of cards to give to a group. Burnout and apathy are concerns in this election cycle. If you feel that 2020 is an important election, tell your friends about You+1. Let's spread the word, care about one another, and elect a truly representative president and congress.
You+1 is about quiet involvement. It grows through person-to-person sharing. And it's working! In our first 30 days, we have expanded from one to 41 states.
 I’ve had holidays when I was with family, other years when I was with friends, and holidays when I was alone. Each has given me an array of thoughts and feelings; over the years, I’ve learned from sorrow and from joy, I’ve learned from relationships and solitude.
This reflection made me think about the strength and vulnerability of our connections, not only to one another, but also in how we exist in the world. Things that we thought we could count on, may be gone tomorrow. And wonderful things that we never expected, may enter our life. Right now, I sense a cultural vulnerability - a loss of connection to our country and our elected officials. It feels chaotic and unpredictable. It may be that, right now, you don’t give a hoot about the government, but I’m willing to bet that you care about a person; there’s someone that matters to you, or some idea that matters to you. For that person or for that idea, it is important to keep your voice. What can one person do? As it turns out, quite a bit. With You+1, you keep your voice, you place your vote. If you find a +1, your importance doubles. If you tell others about You+1 you put into motion a process that could reach hundreds or thousands of people. Your actions (or inaction) matter. I started You+1 because I know that I would feel regretful if I could take action and did not. Join me. It’s like inviting a +1 to a holiday dinner. Invite someone to join you in You+1.  Inside Out. That’s what make You+1 different. It’s not about strangers knocking on doors, organizations sending ugly mail about candidates, or unknown social media companies posting manipulative posts. You+1 is about being with the people you know and love. It's saying, I care about the future… do you? Will you vote with me? And it's about sharing the movement with others.
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AuthorI am a visual artist from Colorado who cares about others, our climate, and our future. Archives
March 2020
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