knowabundance.com

Happy Tuesday!

I was driving on the freeway last week and noticed a couple of “Free Leonard Peltier” signs hanging in trees off the side of the road.

I was surprised. Isn’t he free already?

I guess not. And there are still people who care.

When do you give up?

Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years. Or 46 if the total years of apartheid in South Africa are counted.

After ten or twenty or fifty years how do we continue to inspire passion for the change we seek?

Especially today. We have short attention spans and a daily influx of new information, new causes and new crises to focus on.

How do we raise money for issues that people think are over or unwinnable?

• First – we have to know (not just believe) that change is possible.
• Second – we need to make it personal for people and answer the “Why should I care?” question.
• Third – we need to stay focused on our goals even as public attention waxes and wanes.
• Fourth – we need to be current and link our cause with others.
• Fifth – we need to have patience.

There are many problems and issues that seem unbeatable. And structures and systems that appear monolithic.

When you are living the effects of injustice, discrimination, hatred and indifference, even yesterday can seem like too long to wait.

But take the long view. Don’t give up. Stay focused. Strategize. Communicate. Connect. Have Patience. The elusive “tipping point” could be just around the corner.

p.s. Want to make use of past research and articles? Check out this helpful guest post on Katya’s non-profit marketing blog.