"I Don't Do Politics," Ep 8 of Evolving Democracy

“I don’t do politics.”It’s something Christy and I have both heard a lot lately. And honestly, we understand why. Politics can feel exhausting, overwhelming, and deeply divisive.But this week we explored a different question:What if politics is about more than elections and government?Merriam Webster says that an alternative definition of politics is “the total complex of relations between people living in a society.” If that’s true, then every day we make choices that help shape the kind of world we live in.When we mentor someone.When we volunteer.When we support a local business.When we decide where to spend our money.When we notice a need and choose to respond.Those aren’t just personal choices. They’re ways of participating in society.One of Christy’s stories about mentoring young women in STEM reminded us that we rarely know how far our influence extends. The women she encouraged may now be mentoring others. A single act of care can become a chain of generosity that stretches far beyond what we ever see.That realization takes away some of the pressure. We don’t have to solve every problem. We don’t have to carry every cause. We simply have to ask:What do I value deeply enough to support with my time, attention, energy, or resources?Maybe that means shopping at an independent bookstore instead of a giant retailer. Supporting a family-owned farm or veterinarian. Donating a few dollars to an organization whose work reflects your values. Mentoring someone. Being a good neighbor.These may seem like small acts, but they’re not insignificant. They are votes for the kind of community—and the kind of future—we want to create.Perhaps the goal isn’t to become “more political.”Perhaps it’s simply to become more intentional.Because every act of love, kindness, justice, and connection sends ripples farther than we’ll ever know.We hope you’ll join us for this conversation, and we’d love to hear:What is one small way you shape the world around you?Let’s continue to put love into action. Together.Joni Miller, Ph.D., is a writer, researcher, spiritual coach, and speaker who uses her knowledge, education, and love of all things spiritual to help spiritual wanderers find a place they can call home, navigating by the light of Love. www.SpiritualGeography.net Get full access to Spiritual Geography at jonimiller.substack.com/subscribe