Are You Activated Enough?
What do I mean by activated? Are you engaged with your work, with your life? Are you clear on what you are doing and why? Do you feel energized by what you are doing and who you are being?If you are underactivated then there is no juice, you are not energized. You may even be depressed, cynical or checked out. This state doesn’t get you moving.If you are over-activated, you may be overwhelmed, too reactive, scattered, distracted or unfocused. This state may or may not get you moving, but usually doesn’t result in a lot of progress against your dreams or goals.What does it mean for you to just be activated, and what is enough?
In general, I think about this word in terms of being an actively engaged leader. And these days, I think about it in terms of how our country’s climate is effecting people. We are living in very polarized, charged times. People who have never been politically active, are now.I, myself, have always had causes I believe in, but never considered myself an activist… until recently. Yes, I was one of 400,000 people who marched in New York City on January 21st. I marched for women’s rights and human rights. I marched to represent what our country stands for – as the photo above shows – lady liberty. Or, more accurately, I stood for rights as we didn’t do much moving.
I feel it is a time when I cannot be quiet. It is a time that calls for strong, compassionate, and persistent leadership. Not only did the record number of marchers globally amaze me, but the fact that it was largely peaceful. We have a long way for us to unite as a nation, and truly listen and understand the polarizing viewpoints, but I was heartened, energized and inspired by the atmosphere in New York that day. Since, there have been many decisions made that has the country in a spin. It requires you not get too triggered or over-activated, but stay activated – engaged, curious and in dialogue with a beginners mind. This is challenging when you feel your rights or our democracy is threatened.
This word, “activated” is so powerful. What gets you charged up and able to speak up, stand up, and with an open ear? Where are you active, proactive or reactive? What serves you in these heated, uncertain times?