I was chatting with a server the other day—bright eyes, easy smile, a tired grace that parents know all too well.
We were talking about life, rising prices and the chaos of the world when she said something that stuck with me.

“I am not political, but I feel as if all my power had been ripped from me. I just don’t think anything I say matters.

She was agitated, animated, but resigned. She has kids. A job that requires patience most of us could not muster on our best days. She is doing all the little things such as working long shifts, being diligent regarding child rearing and yet feels powerless over the big things.

I get it. Most of us do.

Let’s be honest the system feels too big, too rigged, too far away. It’s hard enough for many of us to make it through a day without calamity or a bill showing up that was not in the budget.

But, here is the quiet truth I wish I’d told her right then and there and what I’ll say now.

Small Does Not Mean Powerless. You do not have to run for office or donate a thousand dollars to matter.

You matter because your voice, your choices, your everyday courage ripples outward.

Voting is not just about elections. It is about telling the world, I’m still here, having a voice.

That is political.

Every time you speak up at a school board meeting, teach your kids kindness, help a neighbor, share a story, call BS when you see injustice…you are shaping the world.

Remember, politics is not just about Washington, it is about your particular street corner.

Think politics is just a room full of men in suits? Nope.

You don’t have to care about politics. But politics already cares about you…deeply and daily.

Start small to be heard.

Here are three small, doable things. No cape required.

1. Vote in local elections. School boards. Mayoral races. Judges races. That is where real change lives.

2. Talk to your kids about fairness. Kindness. Choices. They are listening. Even when they pretend not to.

3. Pick one thing. Not everything. One cause you care about. Clean water. School lunches. Mental health. Follow it. Support it. It counts and always remember, You Are Not Alone!

You do not need to be political. You just need to be aware, awake and still in it.

And if you are making it through your day, doing your best, showing up for your people?

You are doing more than you think.

I never built a successful publicity campaign without constructing a foundation wholly supported by local and regional newspapers and magazines, local TV and radio. When I was sure the foundation was sound I move onto national TV exposure, influential periodicals, The NY Times, etc.

Never forget that by being involved, caring and speaking out you are changing the world in your own special way.