June 16, 2026 - The Weight of Silence
There are moments in life when staying quiet feels much safer than speaking up and speaking the truth. However, I have learned… and still am learning, that there are more important personal values revealed when we are able and make the decision to speak up.
My thoughts… progress really isn’t an option without people who are willing to challenge those in power and question decisions being made on their behalf. In fact, I think good leadership would welcome progress. Expecting… and demanding accountability from those in charge shouldn’t be such a difficult thing. I remember playing these scenarios out over and over in my own head at this time, two years ago. It’s a difficult position to put yourself into and mentally draining on not just yourself, but takes a toll on your entire family.
It’s taken me quite awhile to work through my own emotions and be at peace with some big decisions I made back then. Not there 100%, but continuing the journey and very thankful for the people that encouraged me to speak up and stood beside me along the way.
Today, many Americans are also asking questions about the direction of our country… very difficult questions. Regardless of your own political affiliation, we should all be concerned when truth is something we constantly are questioning, when very little accountability is required and when any source of criticism is met with forms of public retaliation.
Yes, I have concerns with the many decisions being made by our current administration, but what concerns me most is how easily we continue to normalize this behavior… behavior that we would never accept from our kids, our coworkers, the very people closest to us. Disrespect, gross insults, personal attacks, misinformation, and the constant deflection of responsibility have become so common that many barely react to it anymore. Why aren’t more people outraged?
When did we decide that character matters only when it is convenient? That was one question I continued to ask myself as I struggled with speaking up about my own personal experiences last year.
Leadership should be measured not only by policy… but by integrity… by honesty… by accountability. When those qualities are gone, we have both the right and the responsibility to speak up!
Across the country, people are struggling to make ends meet. Some are worried about their jobs… some have lost their jobs. So many are worried about grocery costs, gas costs getting to and from work, healthcare, retirement, education and programs their families may depend on. So many people simply feel unheard right now. Pretending everything is fine doesn’t solve anything or make it go away.
True patriotism isn’t blind loyalty to a politician, a party, or an administration. Real patriotism is loving your country enough to want better from it. It’s believing that our leaders should be held to the same standards we expect from ourselves. It’s having the courage to ask hard questions, even when those questions may make people uncomfortable.
Standing up for what is right doesn’t require so much hate and animosity. It’s very clear with just a short stroll on social media how much hate is out there. It doesn’t require name-calling from center stage. It doesn’t require tearing others down.
Courage… standing up for what is right… It requires courage!
Because when enough people decide that truth matters, integrity matters, character matters… change does become possible.
It took me months to come to terms with how important it was for me to stand up in my own personal journey. I know how incredibly difficult it is to have the courage to speak when our conscience tells us we should, but the fear is so hard to overcome.
As a country, we have to keep speaking up for what we know is right… it’s past time. I worry about my kids, one newly married, trying to just make it through school, to be able to give back someday with her ever loving heart. The other being part of our country’s military, just starting her journey… college, the army, all the things she loves. I worry not just about my own kids, but all those around me. How much more are we willing to watch, listen to and just wait for the next blow to come. When is enough, enough?
In a time when staying silent just feels easier, I believe that real strength can be found in the courage to speak honestly and hold ourselves and others accountable. Keep showing up for the people that matter most! In time, change will come!
