Can this still be our February newsletter when it's almost March?
The truth is that I've struggled a lot with what to write in this space.
Many people will tell business owners that they need to stay out of politics. Sorry (#notsorry) but GALS is a political business. Everything we do is affected by choices that our government officials make on our behalf. From the the local zoning commission up to the President, our laws and regulations impact us individually and as a community.
Our firm serves individuals and families at some of the most difficult points in their lives. Whether it's trying to figure out what to do after the death of a loved one, how to pay for care when a medical emergency strikes, or how to make sure that your parent isn't scammed out of their life savings, all of these decisions are shaped by the laws that govern us and the resources that are available to us.
Right now, the institutions that we rely upon to keep our food safe, our children and older adults active in civic life, and our financial accounts secure are in jeopardy. Giving legal advice is especially difficult when I don't know what the legal landscape will look like six months from now, much less six years (and you know how I love planning ahead!).
So here's what I'm doing, and I hope you'll consider what you can do to protect your family and community as well:
- Using Goods Unite Us to shop aligned businesses
- Reducing food waste by meal planning, composting, and trying new places with Too Good To Go
- Watching Holler For Help for things I may need or have to share with others
- Shopping second-hand stores like The Plus Closet
- Making sure that I'm up-to-date on all my vaccines and I have plenty of health care items on hand if needed
- Checking in more regularly on friends, neighbors, and other loved ones; finding ways to connect more regularly
- Shopping small, local businesses through local farms or places like Market Wagon
- Reducing my driving or carpooling when it makes sense
- Using 5 Calls to let my federal representatives know how they can represent my position best
- Keeping an eye on state legislation and taking action
- Voting early in each and every election
- Reading and snuggling Bella because it gives me joy
I'm not here to tell you how to think. I think at the end of the day, we all want the same things-to be safe, healthy, and loved. And it's my opinion that the government is supposed to help us achieve those goals, or at the very least not make it more difficult.
Wishing you health, safety, and love,
April
