Understanding my mindset is pretty simple. I live a good life filled with yoga, joyful kids, a supportive family & set of friends, all of which is the basic recipe for being stress-free. I'm a mediator, a libra, a feminist and an empath, and it may appear that there's not too much I could ever be angry or worried about, but I still do at times because I care. I care about a lot of topics that encompass social justice, human rights, mental health, physical health, health in general, biohacking, sports and whatever #blacktwitter is discussing. I care about people who've had their voices stifled, those who've lost hope, those who've managed to use blinders to protect themselves from the light that can save them.
My abilities to have unusual conversations, anything not related to the weather, what you do or who you're dating; but everything related to how you feel, who do you want to be and who do you want to help & how, are at the forefront of discussion. I'm an INFP. I take pride in knowing that I've fostered a sense of encouragement that leads to growth and progress of those I care about.
My squad consists of social entrepreneurs, physicians, teachers, pharmacists and cops. Actually, just one cop.
Anyway, our conversations generally get deep, insightful, humorous and provocative as we each not only share thoughts but ask why. With friends like these, you have a higher purpose - a mission that's bigger than the self. And you know it, they know it, we all feel it and we show up more powerful in the world we live because of this discourse.
Understanding and sensing how people think and feel is pretty much my forte. I can sense if you're bluffing (outside of poker) and I can sense if you need to dig deeper into your work or move on to the next thing. Having a diverse set of friends provides me with a wide range of perspective and enormous amounts of empathy.
Recently, I caught up with a friend who's black, who's a male and who's a cop in America. Which isn't the toughest job in this country, but I digress.
Navigating what my cop friend sees by provoking the why's - that I graciously adopted from my 2.5 year old nephew who asks "why" after I say anything - allowed me to dig up enough fuel to help him see what I see.
He recently posted a picture, defending his peers for what they're doing "right" which made me slightly disturbed. Protecting and highlighting those who "safely" arrest people by not choking them to death or shooting someone in the leg instead of their 12-year-old chest, isn't the point.
Highlighting (or blaming) the 1% of cops who aren't trained properly to do their job isn't the point either, but it's the start at scratching the surface of unraveling what is so deeply rooted in our history.
I'm not a full-time activist, psychologist, analyst or history buff. However, I am a concerned human who understands the importance of basic human rights, and will dig deep into how I can use my strengths to fight for justice.
He asked me to write up some inspirational mojo/carpe diem type stuff after we linked up, so I did - but I got very real with him and didn't sugar coat much. It'd be safe to tell him "yolo, keep doing what you're doing!" but I didn't. I was blunt, honest and direct because I care.
It's difficult following a path if you're trying to change the culture of an environment that you're not even passionate or concerned about. If you don't even enjoy who you're surrounding yourself with, why try to change them? It's more important to build a new tribe of those you enjoy being around, those who you want to help. If you're in a position of power, use your skills and knowledge constructively, to teach and show others what you see. It could save a life and create a better environment for future generations.