I was presenting to a group of 7th graders about writing and World War II , which is what my novels are about. At one point, I asked someone to speak up with an example. Many of you may remember being in 7th grade. It’s that time when you sort of want to speak up, but you’re not going to if no one else raises their hand. So, when no hands went up, I said, “Okay, we’ve been talking about how brave the kids of World War II were and how they stepped up to help save this country. I need someone to be brave enough to raise their hand.” Three timid hands went up.
I’ve been reading a book called Sparked by Jonathan Fields which talks about different Sparktypes® and how those types help you feel energized in your work. My primary Sparktype® is “Advocate,” which surprised me a bit. Given the names of the types and my work as a writer/entrepreneur, I would have guessed Maker or Maven or even Performer might have been first. The book asked you, though, to think about how you show up not only at work but how you showed up as a kid, or as a parent, or in what you choose to do for fun, and sure enough the mark of an advocate was all over my profile.
People advocate in different ways, of course. I’ve done so by telling stories in my books and my blog, and also in the partnerships I’ve formed in the community and in the groups I’ve led. I make myself vulnerable enough to tell my own story if I think that might inspire someone else. I raise awareness about causes I feel strongly about. I donate when I can. I connect people who can help each other. Advocacy gives me energy.
I have a friend who stands on a street corner every Saturday holding signs calling for universal health care. It’s not unusual for her to be there by herself, but that doesn’t matter. It’s her form of advocacy. I have another friend who invites people onto her podcast now and then to talk about diversity, equity, and inclusion, though that’s not the main focus of her podcast. That’s her advocacy. I have a friend who used to run the refugee program in a nearby town. Her advocacy was her full-time job. I have another friend who calls her senators to let them know how she feels about the issues. It only takes a few minutes, but she knows it’s important.
Maybe advocacy is not your main strength. Maybe it’s something you have to make yourself do. Maybe you only do one thing a year because that’s all the energy you can muster for that type of engagement. Maybe speaking up and acting out is downright terrifying for you. I get that. We don’t all have to walk around with megaphones, and not everyone is cut out to lead the charge, but we can all do something.
I’m grateful to those three students who raised their hands and took a chance, but I’m just as grateful to the other kids who gave me their full attention while I spoke, and the ones who took up their pencils and wrote diligently when we reached that part of the workshop, and the ones who came up afterwards to speak to me privately about something that mattered to them. However you best show up, just show up! There’s no “right way” to be brave. When we all work together, when we honor each other’s strengths, and when we each do small things, big things happen.
By Teresa R. Funke
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