“It is easier to believe than to doubt.”

— E.D. Martin

Supporting a cause is great.

Advocating for a position is great.

Standing up for what you believe is great.

Having passion is great.

Regurgitating the propaganda is … well … grating.

If your concept of advocacy is simply regurgitating other people’s memes, writings, and marketing slogans, then there’s a pretty good chance that you won’t change a single mind. Instead, you may end up alone on your side of the fence, cloaked in advertisements and propaganda, more worried about being right than making a situation better.

Of course, the irony of creating original ideas to support your cause may very well lead you to question and modify your beliefs about that very cause. That can build a bridge for you to meet others halfway, ultimately finding common ground from which to build something stronger.

And that’s great.

Yesterday’s gift of time … Volunteered as chaperone for my daughter’s school dance last night. … Helping to create an environment for the kids to have some fun and raise some money was great. … Three hours of pop music was just a little grating.