It has gotten to the point where I sometimes feel a little crazy. Actually, all the time, I feel a lot crazy. It is not just the constant question of “Why am I doing what I am doing?” I am reminded of the passion I have for what I am doing on a daily basis. This other crazy comes from the desire to fight time, technology, and behemoth corporations – one in particular that I can’t seem to get away from. I want books and book stores to matter. Kids to love the printed word. And thought be put into where and how things are purchased.

Clearly, I need to work on my practice of radical acceptance.

Recently though this quote crossed my path from a speech made by Allison Hill, the incoming CEO of the American Bookseller’s Association:

“That’s my new job, to help ensure that the people, all of you carrying out the quiet revolutionary act to make the world better every day through books, bookselling and bookstores, continue to survive and thrive.”

It made me feel a little less nuts. And a bit more empowered.

After all – if there is anything I’ve always aspired to be, it would be a revolutionary. One hundred percent.

And, it got me to thinking about other quiet revolutionary acts – and how many of such acts, are able to go a really, really long way.

I don’t believe you have to shout from rooftops in order for actions to be effective. The simple act of where we choose to spend our money makes an enormous impact. Our communities are touched profoundly by our choices. I have seen it first-hand with Bee Hive – customers on a regular basis are the difference between paying the bills and not paying the bills. The people, and our dollars, have complete power.

“I want books and book stores to matter. Kids to love the printed word. And thought be put into where and how things are purchased.”

I have a friend who owns a couple restaurants in town. He pointed out to me that a certain large grocery store offers prepared foods in such a large variety, that people no longer have to go anywhere else to get their tacos or sushi or pizza. It is all in one place for them. The act of consciously venturing out of the grocery store to local restaurants will help my friend (and other’s like him) keep his unique, super delicious, community-oriented/enhancing restaurants in business.

There are so many other little things – riding your bike instead of driving, recycling, voting, teaching our children well, using refillable water bottles, supporting local farmers and artisans….so easily done – enjoyable even! – that would be considered part of a quiet revolution. I think.

It has always been my intention to not knock people over the head with my personal political views. But, truly, it is difficult to not be political when you are a book store, or any small business, owner. It is impossible to not shout – and from the rooftops this time – for people to please be aware of the monumental impact our actions have. The choices we make – are everything.

As long as things stay on the trajectory they are on – I will continue to make myself crazy with the desire to fight time, technology, and behemoth corporations.

But, I also live in the hope that the mini quiet revolutions that are going on in various forms all around us – will add up to something significant. Life changing even. And we, the people, will make a difference. The kind of difference that will matter. The kind of difference that will nourish our communities. Heal the weak connections among us. And, will, ultimately, feed us in a way that will allow us to rise up and take back the power that we truly have access to.

SHHHH.

Although LOUD is good, too.