Making the Choice to Be Awesome
Maybe you’ve been in a rut.
Maybe you’re afraid to move forward…
because it feels like the world might collapse at any moment.
Before we go any further—
try this:
Soften. Just a little.
Not in a give up kind of way—
in a be human kind of way.
Look for small opportunities to be generous.
Be warm.
Be kind.
Be the person who offers a little more grace than expected.
(Because, let’s be honest—most people are doing the best they can right now - including you.)
Here’s the, albeit frustrating, truth:
The world doesn’t just change through big, dramatic moves.
It shifts…
through people who choose to show up with care—
even when things feel uncertain.
That kind of energy? It spreads. It's wildly contagious in the best possible way.
You have a choice. Always.
You can operate from:
fear
urgency
self-protection
and/or be a jerk and go on the offensive
Or…
You can choose something else.
Something more grounded.
Be more generous.
Be more gracious.
Be more awesome.
Go toward others.
Shoot, go toward yourself.
Because it’s a lot harder to be cynical about the world
when you’re out there loving it.
Impossible, in fact.
That’s leadership. Caring. Investing. Loving to world as it is -
while secretly nurturing it into what it can be.
Try it. Raise the bar.
Assume great things are possible. (because your know they are)
Give yourself a few minutes.
Just feel what that would be like.
Let it land.
Let it expand.
Let it take root in your heart.
A Quick Way to Become Well Loved
When our daughters were young, our neighborhood had a standing pizza-and-movie night every Friday.
It all started when a father and his five-year-old daughter drove around the block inviting neighbors over for pizza. At first, we hesitated—inviting total strangers into someone’s home isn’t exactly normal. But we went anyway. Because unlike adults, young kids don’t overthink ‘new.’ To them, the chance to make a new friend is simply exciting.
So we went and it was great. That family hosted Pizza and Movie night every single week for the first year. The rest of us just showed up with wine. And let me tell you, knowing you don’t have to cook or figure out dinner on a Friday when you’re exhausted from work? That alone felt like an act of greatness.
But it was more than that.
They created a space where people could belong. Where kids could run around and be themselves, and adults could show up however their week had gone—tired, stressed, joyful, messy—and be met with hot food. It was great.
The first time, only five or six people showed up. Eventually, 40 people would show up.
A year later, it turned into a rotating event, with each family providing pizza and an age-appropriate movie. Over time, pizza-and-movie nights became an anchor in both the kids’ and the adults’ lives.
The result: lifelong friendships formed, people discovered new job opportunities after setbacks, and neighbors pitched in to help other neighbors. All things that naturally happen in community. None of which happened because someone had a grand master plan.
Creating the world you want to live in doesn’t always require a massive leap.
Sometimes it looks like pizza.
Sometimes it looks like showing up with brownies for someone who is hurting.
And yes—you get to take credit for that. That is true leadership. Not in a loud, self-congratulatory way, but in the quiet recognition that your presence, your effort, your care… it matters. You are the change the world.
Every little bit helps!
To donate time or money go to our website: www.wethepeoplerise.net
We are a 501c(3).
If you have any suggestions for funders, please email [email protected]
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Hi, I’m Kristin Hiemstra, the founder of We the People Rise.
WTPR exists for two big reasons:
-
We already have the ideas—we just need a place to bring them together.
-
We are way too busy fighting each other (and occasionally bots) instead of actually fixing things.
The goal? Build real community, have real conversations, and turn good ideas into real action—together. Because united we’re powerful… divided we’re just yelling into the wind.
The world needs more awesome leaders. (THAT IS YOU)
Become part of the communty:
Join us EVERY OTHER Thursday @ 7:00pm EST via Zoom STARTING APRIL 9th for The Gathering - a Zoom call where we discuss ideas and make plans.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81666070366
RSVP if possible to [email protected]
(and feel free show up even if you didn't)
Having confidence in your ability to lead others is huge. Confidence, in part, comes from knowledge. This is a course I put together that unpacks how culture is created and how to impact change. Creating culture is useful not just on a large scale but also for creating the culture of your home.
The cost is $9.99.
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‘Plogging’ fitness trend is taking over New York City’s dirty streets — and keeping people in shape
Here is really cool thing that could easily be made nationwide and is something you can do individually or in a group.
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Check out our website: www.wethepeoplerise.net
If you have any thoughts or questions please email me at info@wethepeoplerise.
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