Africa to America

My friends are amazing. I’m incredibly fortunate to know a man as adventurous and kind as Taylor Hines.

Life in Motion

For twenty-five months I lived in Lesotho, Africa. It was an incredible experience, that allowed me to be sucked up in the culture of something completely out of this world. I learned, and practiced the enormous value of building relationships. I learned that I, or no one, is capable of great success alone. Everything I wanted to do, or accomplish required a we attitude. I departed from Lesotho on July 22nd, 2016.

On my way back to Detroit, Michigan I planned on traveling. Through those building of relationships I was able to make some really great friends. My first stop on my way back home was to be in a place I never thought I’d travel; Ukraine. I had met an incredible individual  who had become a mentor to me while living in Lesotho. His name is Jurgen, and he comes from Germany. He was working on a project trough…

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Free: New Perspectives

Last week was a big week for me in my new political career. I survived my very first candidate forum.

The forum was unlike anything I had ever experienced before. In the moment I sincerely felt like I didn’t belong there. I was absolutely terrified, because I was officially the political rookie that couldn’t keep up with the pros. I played the panel conservatively, because I didn’t know what to expect and wanted to play it on the safe side. My opponent took advantage of the situation and found me easy to pick on, because I was the youngest person on the panel and lacked the confidence to fight back.

However, I’ve taken time and energy to reflect on the experience with various new perspectives. My performance provided me with several areas for improvement. The list goes something like this:

1. come prepared for public questions on various issues
2. elaborate on your ideas (especially the creative ones that stand out)
3. stand when you are speaking even when sitting is an option
4. be aware of facial expressions when talking or when listening to others
   1. practice the poker face when someone you don’t like is talking
   2. practice the poker face when someone says something you don’t like
   3. be aware of nervous twitches and manage them

The list is more of a starting place really. Politics is a complicated game.

This being said, I would say I am actually very happy with my overall performance. Out of nine candidates, I was one of two women on the panel. There was even a point at the end when I was the only woman on the panel. For those reading who are not women, it’s important to know it is always a little terrifying to be the only woman anywhere.

Also, I would say the last half of the forum was my favorite. This is when the public was able to ask their own questions. I didn’t answer anything, because I was taking the opportunity to learn and observe from those who have done it before. By the end I no longer felt bad about being the rookie.

There will always be people in politics that are genuinely trying to make a difference in the lives of others and will work tirelessly to build a better world for everyone they serve. There will also always be people in politics enslaved by an inflated ego and distorted sense of importance. I was able to observe both types of political minds at the forum, and that was the most shocking yet fun part about being there.

When there is no wrong answers in life it is important to understand it from as many perspectives as you can find. I am here to learn and to feel my life as deeply and courageously as I can.

The forum was unlike anything I had ever experienced before, and I belonged there. It was terrifying, but I was more alive in that moment than I had ever previously been. I was the rookie that took advantage of a situation to learn as much from the pros and about the pros as I possibly could. It wasn’t necessary for me to say much, because you only learn new things from listening. Last week I was the youngest person on the panel, but one day I hope to be a stronger servant and leader both on and off the panel.

Leadership begins with listening.

Fear: The Invisible Wall

This is a big week for me. I have my first public forum as well as a Meet & Greet event for my campaign. Both events require me to stand before an audience and deliver a speech.

For those of you who do not know me well, I am painfully afraid of public speaking. To be perfectly honest, it was one of the main reasons I hesitated to put my name on the ballot. However, my passion for the issues and desire to improve the world I live in outweighed my fear of public speaking. Now I’m forced to face my personal, internal struggles. When I stand in front of a crowd my heart races, my palms get sweaty, and I am overcome with fear of harsh judgement. When I first received notice of the upcoming forums my heart sunk into my stomach, and I immediately searched for excuses for why I wouldn’t be able to attend.

Over the course of the last few weeks I’ve asked numerous people for advice desperately searching for a few tricks to the art of public speaking. However, I finally found the advice I desperately needed to hear. A fellow candidate and one of the field directors at the party office gave me similar pieces of advice. I’ve summed it up to this:

1. Stay hydrated and don’t drink too much coffee
2. Give sincere answers, be genuine
3. Use real-life examples and personal experiences

This I can do.

For me this entire campaign season has been about learning. I have learned more about the world of politics, people, and myself than I ever imagined I would. It has also been about facing the toxic, internal fears that I have become painfully familiar with, and worse – content with. If the magic happens outside of the comfort zone, I’ve been exisiting in a foreign galaxy somewhere since April.

From personal experience, I know there are many reasons we talk ourselves out of chasing our dreams. To list a few examples:

1. I have a fear of public speaking
2. I don’t have the “right” education
3. I’ve had too much fun in the past
4. I don’t fit the “mold”
5. I’m afraid people won’t like me
6. I don’t have the experience
7. I’m not pretty or smart enough

The list goes on!

To anyone reading this that has ever given serious thought about running for office, but something listed above has prevented you from putting your name on the ballot…. Please, GET YOUR NAME ON THE BALLOT. You’re depriving the world of your wildly sincere and open heart. Look around – it is so desperately needed.

Be Brave, Be Yourself

“So tell me Ms. Adams, why are you running for office?”

This is probably the toughest, most simple question I am asked as a candidate. For my fellow political junkies out there, it should be the easiest right?

We all have opinions on the major issues in politics, and we all fantasize about having the power to make our dreams reality one day. However, things change when you actually put your name on the ballot.

You learn a lot in your first campaign for office. You will learn about people, places, and local issues you have never heard of. You will learn about your target audience, your “universe” of connections, and your platform messaging. You will learn about campaign planning, campaign finance, campaign marketing, and volunteer management. You will also learn tedious rules, tricks, and tips to politics. Of course, you will also learn what everyone else wants your platform and message to be.

I always wish someone would have told me one of the hardest parts of running for office is holding on to your own dreams in the process.

“So tell me Ms. Adams, why are you running for office?”

Well to be perfectly honest, I am running because I am passionate about issues involving human, economic, and environmental sustainability. I want experience leading efforts of change to strengthen our community from the inside out. I am running because I believe in the people of Kalamazoo County. I believe we are magic, we are the heroes we wait for, and we are the change that we seek. What we cannot do alone we can do together.

Follow me if you wish: I’m on Facebook and Twitter!