Like most Americans, what we woke up to was that another person was killed by ICE. It is of no surprise given what has happened before. So as the details came out, the story became more apparent of what actually happened.

Right on cue, the story was spun in a different way and die-hard believers in this administration repeated it. Once again, no surprise at all.

I went on with my day doing a community presentation on bone health and fall prevention at Lanakila Multipurpose Center to a nice group of Kupuna. These events really give me a sense of fulfillment that my skills as an occupational therapist can impact someone’s life. What turned out to be one class, may turn into an ongoing one to address aging well.

While it may feel like the world is going insane right now and a family and community is grieving a loss of their loved one, we cannot forget our humanity. Someone was killed and those around him will feel that loss. There is no greater gift than life.

What we do in our life has a ripple effect on others in some way and fashion, positive or negative. We can choose to repeat things that are not true or say nothing at all because we don’t want to create waves of discomfort. Is that a really good way to live our lives of so we stand up for truth, reason, and sanity?

My journey to writing this blog over 10 years ago was to stand with truth knowing will well what the consequences might be. Yes, I received plenty of hate mail and death threats making my own family discourage me but deep down inside, I wanted the truth out. I felt it was my moral duty to speak up.

As much as the hate poured out against me and my fellow allies, more came out ready to speak out for our ag community and we built stronger bonds to support each other. I saw the power of community and how we help and heal each other.

That same drive pushes me in my professional work too. I work with students and new coworkers to prepare them to deliver excellent care for those we serve. I’ve met so many others as a result of this work and hopefully made a difference in people’s lives.

I have been involved with so many groups from the farm bureau, school PTO, the Okinawan association, and even my OT association. People ask how I do it and I really don’t know how to explain it.

I have a vision of what I want to see for a future and work towards building it. If we see a problem but take no action to solve it, have we made a difference? Nope.

I choose to do something about an issue over doing nothing. So we have an issue with getting new members for the OTs. I’ll go out a recruit folks and try to increase the communication or work the social media. Our kids can’t cross the street to school safely so I’ll spend 30 min as a crossing guard. If the school needs money for the performing arts teacher, I’ll run the fun fair to get those added funds.

We can sit around being the naysayers complaining about issues or we can attempt to do something about it. I could sit around complaining at the city days on end about school safety or I can do something. I’m tired of being part of the complainers and choose the latter. Of course complainers will complain back at me but I won’t be a part of that drag.

I will march on and do the best I can on my part to make a difference and build my communities. Taking action and standing up is what defines me.