It has been quite a while since I’ve felt good about the trendlines. Maybe you feel the same way? If you follow the news closely, I’m guessing we’re on the same page.  

We all have issues that animate us. Today, it seems that whatever the issue, my animations look like a reflection in a fun house mirror.  

Recently, a colleague asked me about political tolerance. I have asked, on a few occasions, for MREA members and supporters to be tolerant of the intolerant. If you practice tolerance, you’ll know that pretty soon you have to recognize where your tolerance ends. The current national sentiment seems to beg the question, where should political tolerance end? 

I don’t have a specific answer, but I know that coalition building requires political tolerance, and the changemakers throughout history that have advanced justice, peace, and prosperity in society demonstrated an exceptional degree of tolerance and resolve.  

When we are motivated, when we belong to a supportive community, and when we feel that our actions are contributing to a better world for ourselves and others, the intolerant matter less.  

It should come as no surprise that the question we get most often is, “What can I do?” 

So, with that in mind, I’d like to recommend 15 things we can do immediately to build personal and social immunity from the intolerant and advance our work to leave this place better than we found it. 

1. Buy less stuff. We can do more with less. We’ll save money and energy. 
2. Invest with your values. When you need something, buy local and from people you trust. If you have money to invest, back away from wall street and towards main street.
3. Know your rights. We have rights to speech, privacy, assembly, and more. Understand them and defend them (even for people you disagree with!). 
4. Read the constitution. Read Common Sense, the Federalist Papers, the Declaration of Independence, MLK’s letter from Burmingham jail. Keep reading to understand and remember the great privilege we have and the sacrifices that have been made on our behalf. 
5. Build your skillset. Invest in yourself. Make yourself an example for others. Learn a language. Learn to hunt. Learn to garden. Learn whatever you want. Take advantage of this modern privilege. 
6. Volunteer. Your help is needed. Polling places, community groups, nursing homes, youth sports, churches, poverty aid groups, and more. You’ll make true friends and improve your life. 
7. Donate to a good cause. Have money but little time? Donate it. Find a group that fits your values. Meet with them. Support what they do. 
8. Join a group. Any group. Book club, curling league, anarchist sewing circle. Doesn’t matter. Meet, socialize, and do something fun. 
9. Ditch social media. Or at least minimize your time on it. If you’ve already done 1-8, this will be easy. 
10. Prove it. Stop saying how it should be and start demonstrating how it should be. See 1-9. 
11. Follow the news. Search for yourself and ignore the algorithm. Read all perspectives. If you want guidance, send me an email and I’ll send you suggestions. 
12. Use less and produce more energy. Energy is everything and we are wasting a lot. Be conscious of your energy use and invest in local clean energy if you can. 
13. Help someone (and accept help in return.) This is the most human and rewarding of all relationships. 
14. Thank someone (and welcome appreciation.) Life is short and unpredictable. Take the opportunities when you get them. 
15. Stand up for yourself. If you’ve worked on 1-14, you will be a true force to be reckoned with, and I’d be concerned for any intolerant SOB that messes with you.