Dear Erin,

Thank you for this question.

For me the process of finding my voice and speaking up has required a combination of insight, courage, humility, and compassion.

Insight: I remember one day Foster came in the room really flustered and said, “How do I tell people their hair is on fire without freaking them out?!?” My reply was: “First you say, look at this great bowl of water you have right here, and by the way, your hair is on fire.”  We actually used that as the template for how to tell the story of THRIVE and for our conversations now. People need to know that there is something we can do – and are doing – about the dangerous consolidation of power in order to be open to the information and to be leveraged in their solutions. I believe each of us takes in information in direct proportion to how empowered we feel to respond effectively to it. 

Courage: Audre Lorde says, “When I dare to use my strength in service of my vision then it matters less and less whether I am afraid.” I used to carry that quote in my pocket, to remember that in service I can be more, and do more, than I can on my own.

Humility: I find it most effective to listen first, and to ask questions. Imposing your conclusions can be overwhelming while describing your own process and questions you asked yourself can create a bond.

Some questions I ask are: Do you believe it’s possible to create a thriving world? Do you think it’s worthwhile for those of us who believe it is to try? Do you think it’s a coincidence that the overwhelming percentage of money and power are increasingly consolidated into the same few people’s hands? Do you think it’s wise to leave the making of money and its distribution up to a private corporation that refuses to acknowledge its owners or submit to an audit? Did you know Lincoln and Kennedy were both killed after publicly stating their intention to take the money making power back from private bankers? Do you think it’s worthwhile to consider the evidence that many credible researchers have uncovered about conspiracy theories that turned out to be true? (Check out this link to familiarize yourself with this information, and describe your own process with finding out what you learned). I personally call myself a conspiracy analyst and question the logic of coincidence theorists.

It’s also important to speak up because you believe it is the right thing to do, not because you will achieve a certain outcome. This is the hardest part for a lot of us. It feels so essential that people wake up, and it is, but how we fit into that process has to be authentically respectful. It is not any one person’s job to wake up the world and often you can’t tell what gets through. It may be that you are the first to bring something up and that is catalytic to opening someone to the next time they hear about it. So you may think you are not effective when in fact you are part of a process and your role is critical even if undetectable in the moment.

Compassion: The notion of helping others along their own path of awakening is a tricky one, because none of us likes others trying to change us. Some of us are more willing and able to confront paradigm-shifting concepts in one arena, but there is something that will challenge each of us no matter how bold we are. So remember what it feels like to be scared, to find out you’ve been betrayed, and have the tenderness in your voice you would want someone to have with you in that situation.

Sometimes I imagine a slightly different conversation and describe the global domination agenda with the same tone and energy as if I am saying “ I found out that the foundation of my house has toxic waste seeping up through the vents and from what I have learned I believe it is happening in your house, too. Here’s what I’m doing about it and it turns out there are people all over having this same problem and we’re all joining together. If you are interested check it out here.”

Speaking sincerely from my own personal experience – and especially with what I am doing to help participate in solutions – is what I have found to be the most effective way to engage with others. And listening openly and respectfully to what comes back keeps me in a learning state, which is always my best place to be.

I hope this is helpful as you find your own voice in these conversations...

          - Kimberly