I love those little stickers they give us after we vote.  It feels like a gold star for adults!  I wore mine all day today, even though after I voted no one saw me but the ceiling fan repair person and the dogs.   I felt especially glad to have it, though, because the day could have gone very differently, and I could have not gotten one.

When I got up this morning, it was my intention to vote in the primaries here in Georgia.  (The risk in that?  Making oneself heard at the risk of being unheard – ick!) Then, as my day went on, I began to think about not taking the time to do my civic duty.  After all, I wasn’t sure where my new polling place was, I had workers here at the house, and I had plenty of work to do myself.  But then, more than one friend called, and in the course of those conversations I was asked if I had gone to vote yet.  I realized that, although I’d be disappointed if I voted and my candidates didn’t win, I’d be even more disappointed (with myself), if I didn’t vote at all.  I mean, what’s all this business I “preach” about being oneself out loud, if I can’t even say who I want representing me in the state houses, and in Congress?

So, as you already know, I went and voted.  I guessed at the location of the polling place and I was right!  Plus, I walked in and breezed through the process, thanks to those kind and important volunteer poll workers, who had, incidentally, been there since 6:00 am this morning.

It’s too early to know yet if my voice carried any weight in the outcomes of the races.  But what I do know already is that it did count.  The only way it wouldn’t have counted would have been if I hadn’t shared it.  But I did.

I took my own “recommended daily dose” of risk.  I set an intention of what risk I would take today; I took it; and, I am receiving the rewards from having done so.  And it feels good to have been heard, if by no one else but the most important person it is to hear me – me!

Laura Biering has an infectious zeal for coaching people who want to do enlivening work and live inspired lives. She's fired up about the power of taking risks - great and small - and the rewards that come as a result. She's also passionate about (1) creativity and authenticity and their potential to change the world, (2) frolicking with her adorable four-legged children, and (3) retreating with those she loves at her farm in Southeast Georgia, Brinson's Race. Visit her website at True Voices.
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