24-34: How Much Will You Change For Good In a Decade?

by Elisa | Sep 23, 2018 | Anthropology Psychology Sociology, Art of Advocacy, Being World Changers, Identity

This week I turned 34, but I keep saying I turned 24. The truth is, I don't really feel much different. I mostly feel exactly the same, even though I do see change for good in my life over this decade. Now I realize I am not the sagest person out there, and I know...

The Simple Secret to Changing the World: Love Small; Love Big

by Elisa | Sep 1, 2018 | Being World Changers

Sometimes finding our best role to change the world feels overwhelming. But a friend told me that the next step I gave--love small; love big--while speaking last week really helped him feel like he could move past this feeling of overwhelm and move forward....

Kindness Quest: A Roadtrip of Random Acts of Kindness

by Elisa | Jul 26, 2018 | Adventure, Art of Advocacy, Being World Changers, Children-in-Need, Community, Create Awareness, Family & Relationships, Giving Back, United States

Road trips are both a regular and vibrant part of my life. Although I would often prefer to travel the world and do humanitarian work or support far-away missions, in this season with young kids my wanderlust is usually sadiated through trips across the country. This...

Freedom and the Fourth: With Gratitude to Bring More

by Elisa | Jul 4, 2018 | Anthropology Psychology Sociology, Create Awareness, Seeking Justice, United States

We might not have utopia, but we do have freedom. It is a nice thing to have. My ancestors were welcomed into the United States, although they might have been hated for their Irishness, or whatever was considered deplorable in the last one hundred and two hundred...

Our New Addition: When Social Justice Becomes Family

by Elisa | Jun 21, 2018 | Art of Advocacy, Being World Changers, Busy Moms, Children-in-Need, Community, Family & Relationships, Seeking Justice, Stuff of the Heart

At Average Advocate we talk about finding our best role to change the world on global social issues, and in doing so, we are always asking ourselves what it means to truly love others. We are spurred by "what isn't right," our holy discontent, wanting to do something...

27 Million or 45 Million: Which Human Trafficking Statistic is True?

by Elisa | Apr 27, 2018 | Human Trafficking, Sex Trafficking

Modern slaves: how many are there? 21 million? 27 million? 32 million? 45 million? Whether we quote our favorite number with burning holy anger, morbid glee, heartbreak, or detachment, one thing for sure is that this little piece of data isn't little and it isn't easy...

The True Meaning of Rest

by Elisa | Apr 10, 2018 | Being World Changers, Fully Alive, Identity

Last week, when we first finished the LBD.Project I knew I needed to rest, and not just the ignore the kids and sleep-in type of recovery, but by really embracing the true meaning of rest (see, I am already talking about it here). Resounding loud, clanging and gonging...

An Ancient Expectation of Hope (Pause and Celebrate)

by Elisa | Apr 3, 2018 | Being World Changers, Fully Alive, Life Purpose

The other day a friend was blithely expressing that all of these spring holidays were basically the same thing, built around the vernal equinox. I can't disagree with that, as last week I went to a neighbor's Nowruz party, then there was Passover, and of course...

BLOC: Doing Something About Sex Trafficking & Addiction in Cincinnati

by Elisa | Mar 28, 2018 | Good Charities, Human Trafficking, Sex Trafficking, Your Stories

Sex Trafficking and addiction in Cincinnati, Ohio? Sometimes we forget what is really going on in our neighborhoods in the United States. This article is even more curious because it questions who the trafficker is. Sex trafficking is typically defined as sex used in...

Adventure

Swamp Wisdom: An Ecclesiastes on Human Rights

Ever heard of ancient King Solomon? He was said to be the wisest of them all as he philosophized...

Busy Moms, Community, Family & Relationships, Raising Kids

Storm Chaser; Change Chaser: On Saying Goodbye

How Can Anyone Say Goodbye? I’m starting to feel all panicky that I am leaving all my...

Anthropology Psychology Sociology, Mental Health, Recovery, Safe Spaces

Understanding Terms for Poor Nations vs. Rich Nations

Terms of Poverty Whether in public political addresses or in pleas from non-profits, we have all heard some of these terms thrown around at some point or another. But just because we can infer their general meaning, I...

Ethical Fashion, Fair Trade Products, Giving Back, Socially Conscious Brands

The Honest Truth About Loving Deeper (Art of Advocacy)

Loving others seemed good and something to be defined by. Until it was loving the same small group...

Children-in-Need, Clean Water, Conflicts, Wars, Genocides and Atrocities, Global Health, Good Charities, Helping that Doesn't Hurt, Human Rights, Poverty, Refugees and Immigration, Seeking Justice, United States

Have You Started a Nonprofit?

Should I start a nonprofit? Trying to answer this question. But I need the help of everyone who IS starting a nonprofit!

Human Trafficking, Sex Trafficking

How Stories Heal Us and Prevent Burnout for World Changers

Working through our own stories and triggers are essential as we make a difference if we want to be fully alive and prevent burnout. Check out this interview covering this.