The Five Hindrances To Making a Difference on Social Issues

by Elisa | Mar 9, 2022 | Art of Advocacy, Being World Changers, Hard Conversations, Human Rights, Safe Spaces, Your Voice on Racism

I’ve heard it over and over again, that getting involved in social issues is just too much. I get it. There is a black hole of needs–another famine, another sick friend, and then the news is a constant drone of everything depressing. It is overwhelming. That is...

My New Job: Lupus in Pregnancy #9

by Elisa | Feb 19, 2022 | Busy Moms, Family & Relationships, Hard Conversations, Human Rights, Live Intentionally, Lupus and Autoimmune Disease, Personal Growth, Raising Kids, Safe Spaces, Seeking Justice

"Well, I did tell you that if you continued this pregnancy, it would become your new part-time job," my OB said with a smile. As I look at this week's schedule, I'm really feeling that "new job that I didn't want" thing. (Note: the following was written a few weeks...

Making A Difference Through Proximity

by Elisa | Jan 7, 2022 | Art of Advocacy, Being World Changers, Community, Family & Relationships, Giving Back, Leadership, Live Intentionally, Personal Growth, Seeking Justice, Ways to Make a Difference

Proximity is powerful.It shouldn't surprise us to know that there is a direct correlation between distance and influence. As we want to make a difference, we must keep proximity in mind! How Proximity Works In gratitude for all who have been serving and blessing my...

Navigating Controversial Conversations About Justice (Like What Happened 1/06/21 at the U.S. Capitol)

by Elisa | Jan 6, 2022 | Being World Changers

How do we have hard conversations on justice with controversial subjects that are political, like what happened at the U.S. Capitol? Here’s some advocacy tools for your toolbox.

Magnificant: Mary’s Poem Rewritten

by Elisa | Dec 29, 2021 | Fully Alive, Human Rights, Live Intentionally, Lupus and Autoimmune Disease, Personal Growth, Seeking Justice, Spiritual Discipleship, Stuff of the Heart

Elisa Johnston’s rewrites Mary’s Song, the Magnificant

3 Questions Know What To do With Needs: An Example Based on Afghan Refugees

by Elisa | Dec 28, 2021 | Art of Advocacy, Being World Changers, Children-in-Need, Conflicts, Wars, Genocides and Atrocities, Create Awareness, Giving Back, Live Intentionally, Personal Growth, Refugees and Immigration, Seeking Justice, United States, Ways to Make a Difference

Three questions to ask when confronted by needs, like these of Afghan refugees in my area

Poem: The In-Between (Lupus in Pregnancy #8)

by Elisa | Dec 22, 2021 | Anthropology Psychology Sociology, Busy Moms, Community, Family & Relationships, Fully Alive, Hard Conversations, Life Purpose, Live Intentionally, Lupus and Autoimmune Disease, Mental Health, Personal Growth, Productivity, Recovery, Safe Spaces, Spiritual Discipleship, Stuff of the Heart

No one likes being in the in-between seasons of life. I might be a justice seeker, but what does that look like when I can't move, don't feel well, and am partially aware and partially not? The in-between spaces of life are often not our favorites. At Christmas, we...

#NoHustleNovember and SYSTEMIC Lupus #1

by Elisa | Dec 22, 2021 | Anthropology Psychology Sociology, Art of Advocacy, Being World Changers, Busy Moms, Community, Family & Relationships, Fully Alive, Hard Conversations, Kindness, Life Purpose, Lupus and Autoimmune Disease, Personal Growth, Raising Kids, Recovery, Safe Spaces, Spiritual Discipleship, Stuff of the Heart, Ways to Make a Difference

Being admitted to the hospital wasn't exactly how I expected to start No Hustle November, but it sure goes with the theme. A slew of doctors are trying to figure out all the things that have gone berserk with my body. But at this point, it seems likely the root of it...

Poem: I hate This (Lupus and Pregnancy Update #7)

by Elisa | Dec 22, 2021 | Being World Changers, Lupus and Autoimmune Disease

I hate this. I want to get better. The Psalms are filled with lament, grief, acceptance, and praise. Here's my own Psalm for this week (+a couple pictures from this year's adventures!) I hate this; I want to get better. Climb mountains with my children Camp in forest...

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

Everyday People Doing Something About Human Trafficking And Refugees

Can an everyday person make a difference for refugees? Yep. They can! Just as I’ve seen it...

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

How To Not Be a Bad Advocate for Social Change

Occasionally, the best way to learn how to do something well is by learning what not to do. I empower people to be good advocates for social change, but these days I am seeing a lot of bad activism. Here are things not to say if you want your advocacy and activism to be better-received.