5 Things / Self-Compassion
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A number of folks reached out to me this week to thank me for shining the light on good vibes. It’s hard. Many times recently, I could feel my heart racing and my stress level rise, and then I realized that it was from doom-scrolling on social media. I put the phone down. Pick it back up. Pick myself up off the floor. Thank goodness I have pickleball as an outlet.
I’ve been an entrepreneur for 21 years now, and it’s a roller coaster ride, but it sure has taught me resilience. I’ve had to learn tools to keep myself from spiraling from circumstances beyond my control. I actually wrote a speech about resilience and made a little acronym to describe my process:
CRAP: Compassion, Regulation, Authenticity, and Play.
The C is about compassion for others affected by whatever the situation is – but also self-compassion. Dr. Kristin Neff is the expert on self-compassion and writes it’s when “we give ourselves the same kindness and support we’d give to a good friend.” Once you get over the initial awkwardness of gently touching and whispering kind words to yourself, it’s surprisingly effective. 😉
I’ll be doing my first-ever solo show of 5 Things in 15 Minutes on Monday, and I hope you’ll tune in live here on LinkedIn (please engage with me!) or catch the replay on YouTube.
This week, I wish you self-compassion, because we need your resilience.
This Week’s Good Vibes:
Inclusive Stories Win
The Schneider Family Book Awards honored A Little Like Magic, Popcorn, and Chronically Dolores for their artistic portrayals of the disability experience. These books, tailored for different age groups, explore themes like anxiety, chronic illness, and disability identity through relatable, empowering stories. Honorees such as Monster Hands and On the Bright Side further elevate narratives of resilience, friendship, and self-discovery. ♐Tell stories! Stories foster empathy and understanding, counter stereotypes and broaden representation.
Hate Stops Here, Michigan Steps Up
Michigan’s updated hate crime law, signed by Gov. Whitmer, broadens protections to include LGBTQ+ people alongside other marginalized groups. This move aligns it with 23 other states and Washington, D.C., that offer similar protections, which means that half the states do NOT have those protections! According to the FBI, reported hate crimes based on sexual orientation and gender identity have risen sharply over the past decade. As anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and violence have surged, these protections matter a whole lot. ♐Advocate for comprehensive hate crime legislation in your state.
Thailand Puts Money Behind Gender Care
Thailand's Public Health Ministry has allocated 145.63 million baht to provide hormone therapy for 200,000 transgender citizens. This move follows the recent news of marriage equality in Thailand. For years, transgender individuals paid out-of-pocket for hormone treatment, often risking unsupervised use due to financial barriers. The new funding ensures safer, medically supervised care and reduces health disparities. 💡Thailand's initiative sets an example by recognizing the health and well-being of transgender people as a public priority.
Pride > Profits: Community Steps Up
After Twin Cities Pride cut ties with Target over the retailer’s decision to end DEI initiatives, the nonprofit raised over $72,000—exceeding their $50,000 goal within 24 hours. Target's absence left a financial gap after previously donating $50,000. The surge in community support, driven by over 1,100 individual donations, underscores the power of collective action when corporations fall short on commitments to LGBTQ+ inclusion. ♐When corporate and government priorities shift, we need resilience and allyship more than ever.
DEI Showdown: Companies Hold the Line
Amid President Trump's executive order scrapping federal DEI programs, many big companies, including Costco, Apple, JPMorgan Chase, Cisco, Sephora, and Pinterest, are doubling down on their diversity commitments. Despite political headwinds, leaders like Costco's board and JPMorgan’s CEO emphasize that inclusion boosts both innovation and business outcomes. Businesses standing firm set a precedent for maintaining inclusive practices despite political pressure. ♐Support brands that actively champion DEI.
Good Vibes to Go:
It’s Lunar New Year, a 15-day festival in many parts of the world. Here is a good primer on Lunar New Year. What do you say to someone who celebrates? Happy New Year!