I typically spend my Monday morning catching up on the previous night’s episode of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver. After last week’s stunning election, it was refreshing to have a little levity around this unsettling change of power coming to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. What I enjoyed most from this week’s episode was John’s power call to action for all of us. He gave an extensive list of organizations that advocate for women, people of color, the LGBTQ community, and immigrant communities in which we call ALL give our time, dollars, and support. As John gave his powerful call to action, it inspired me to decree one of my own, which is simply to

OWN YOUR STORY and WRITE YOUR TRUTH.

Now more than ever, we need to hear each other’s stories about our pain and joy, our disappointment and victories, our breakdowns and breakthroughs. Many of us are hurting, in shock, in awe, and just disillusioned by what just happened to our collective sense of what it means to be a citizen in this country. I was so stunned that I tamped down my own rather despondent blog post last week. But now is the time to re-energize your blog, work on that book you’ve been meaning to get out forever, and GIVE WORDS and POWER in a safe space to whatever you are experiencing right now. Even if you’re not ready to share your words in a public forum, take some time today to break out an old journal and just write whatever you are feeling right now.

Regardless of who holds the highest office in this country, no one, and I mean NO ONE, can take away your God-given right to OWN YOUR STORY and WRITE YOUR TRUTH.