ZeSpectre
Member
I thought I had posted this here before but I couldn't find it in my search attempts. That being the case, and considering how relevant this is going to be in the near future, I humbly re-submit...
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Activism and Activism Fatigue
Any of us who've been fighting the good fight to protect our rights are subject to what I call "Activism Fatigue". That point at which you are just exhausted, depressed, feel like you are making no progress and that the tide of the illogical, the emotional, the moonbats and the blissninnys is simply endless. You find yourself thinking "so what's the point?"
There are things you can do to help deal with this fatigue, or even avoid it in the first place.
Start with a realistic assessment of what RKBA activism really means. If you are looking for a "short and victorious war" you are destined for disappointment. The battle for our rights has been going on for 100+ years. Operating with the realistic understanding that rights activism is like doing dishes or laundry (there will always be more to do) starts you off on the right foot with the necessary "long term view" of the situation.
Focus your energies on a targeted task. Much like washing your car with a pressure sprayer, if you diffuse your energies and attention too widely you aren't ever going to accomplish anything but a "focused stream" works a lot better to "wash off that mud". Pick one "pet" item (as an example, Concealed Carry in National Parks was mine). You can certainly work on other items as well but keep yourself focused and on track.
Define some intermediate "goals". Let's be honest, a complete and across-the-board WIN of the rights war is unlikely in your lifetime. That doesn't mean you can't set interim goals and celebrate your WIN when you achieve those goals. The accumulation of small victories is every bit as important.
Understand that sometimes the point actually isn't to win, the point is to keep the pressure on...constantly.
"Sing in Chorus". What I mean is that no one person holds a long note in a chorus. When one singer is running out of breath and needs to inhale, another singer will pick up (also known as staggered breathing). If you need to breathe don't be afraid to "hand off" to someone else for a bit. Go on vacation, shut off the computer, play with your kids/dog/wife/friends, and then resume the "note" again later when you are recharged. Do this BEFORE you pass out!
Expect setbacks but know they aren't forever. It seems to us like the tide of moonbats and anti-rights types is endless. It can feel overwhelming. But remember, to them it seems like WE are also an endless tide. You are NOT alone in the fight and you do have backup/support (see the "sing in chorus" note).
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Activism and Activism Fatigue
Any of us who've been fighting the good fight to protect our rights are subject to what I call "Activism Fatigue". That point at which you are just exhausted, depressed, feel like you are making no progress and that the tide of the illogical, the emotional, the moonbats and the blissninnys is simply endless. You find yourself thinking "so what's the point?"
There are things you can do to help deal with this fatigue, or even avoid it in the first place.
Start with a realistic assessment of what RKBA activism really means. If you are looking for a "short and victorious war" you are destined for disappointment. The battle for our rights has been going on for 100+ years. Operating with the realistic understanding that rights activism is like doing dishes or laundry (there will always be more to do) starts you off on the right foot with the necessary "long term view" of the situation.
Focus your energies on a targeted task. Much like washing your car with a pressure sprayer, if you diffuse your energies and attention too widely you aren't ever going to accomplish anything but a "focused stream" works a lot better to "wash off that mud". Pick one "pet" item (as an example, Concealed Carry in National Parks was mine). You can certainly work on other items as well but keep yourself focused and on track.
Define some intermediate "goals". Let's be honest, a complete and across-the-board WIN of the rights war is unlikely in your lifetime. That doesn't mean you can't set interim goals and celebrate your WIN when you achieve those goals. The accumulation of small victories is every bit as important.
Understand that sometimes the point actually isn't to win, the point is to keep the pressure on...constantly.
"Sing in Chorus". What I mean is that no one person holds a long note in a chorus. When one singer is running out of breath and needs to inhale, another singer will pick up (also known as staggered breathing). If you need to breathe don't be afraid to "hand off" to someone else for a bit. Go on vacation, shut off the computer, play with your kids/dog/wife/friends, and then resume the "note" again later when you are recharged. Do this BEFORE you pass out!
Expect setbacks but know they aren't forever. It seems to us like the tide of moonbats and anti-rights types is endless. It can feel overwhelming. But remember, to them it seems like WE are also an endless tide. You are NOT alone in the fight and you do have backup/support (see the "sing in chorus" note).
