We are bombarded by bad news, but we haven’t even grasped the half of it. This blog of mine can’t be a place for constant doom, but it can be a place for encouragement. Today’s theme: There’s no time to be timid. Get out there and fight the fascism! You can do it!

Those of you who have been with me for a while know that I don’t do denial. Fascism and authoritarianism are spreading worldwide. The US has fallen and Canada will be next if we don’t face reality. Empower yourself to act.

Here is a task: speak to someone about the situation. I’m sure they are worried too. Speak to more than one person. Decide what you will do. Everyone can do something. Here is a nice list of 30 lonely actions anyone can take. Choose one. It doesn’t have to be the best one or the right one. Just choose one and see it through. You’ve already done one—you spoke to someone about your worries. You’ve already started.

There is an old saying, “Nothing succeeds like success.” Doing one thing will encourage you to do it again or to choose another. Talk to another person. See if they want to do something else too.

It’s only fair to tell you what I am doing. Well, a lot I think, particularly when I realize I’m 9 weeks out of open heart surgery and what was the worst year of my life. I wrote a dozen or so letters from the hospital in the two or three days after I left the ICU last time. I’ve written a dozen or more since. They go into a “political action” file I keep. It makes me happy. I don’t get discouraged if no one answers. I keep writing. I will not be silent because silence is complicity.

And while I’m still getting back on my feet, when I’m walking, I’m stickering.

Where did I get them? I had them made at a local printing company. They deliver. It’s not that hard. And I get a moment of glee every time I stick one somewhere. I have other stickers too—I’m thinking of printing ones that say “Bankers not Wankers.” What do you think?

Next it will be delivering flyers to mailboxes. You don’t have to invent or reinvent the wheel here. 350.org has a lot of posters prepared in the “Don’t Get Played” campaign. Print some. Go for a walk, put them in mailboxes. Sit at a picnic table in a park with a sign that reads, “Election Conversation?” In my experience, people want to talk. Hand flyers out on a street corner. Go with a friend. You can do it. If someone is rude to you, tell them to have a nice day and move on.

Don’t do what the US did. Don’t sleepwalk into fascism. Face the fascism and do something about it. Don’t be timid. You CAN do it. I believe in you.

And in case you think I’m a Doomer, I’m planting the tiniest Saskatoon Bush ever. Because that’s another thing I’m doing—finding JOY when there is joy to be had. I believe in joy. And I’m going to believe that one day, I’ll get a berry from this tiny thing. I believe I will live in Canada, a free, sovereign country, and I will eat Saskatoons grown in my garden.