One Billion Rising on February 14, 2013

     Never say never.   I promised myself “no more commitments”!  I promised myself that, until after  January 1, 2013, I was going to say “no” to invitations, engagements, volunteer
opportunities, freelance work, interviews and any other plans outside of work  and school. I wanted this time to focus on the holidays with my family and  prepare for Thanksgiving and Christmas and really enjoy the season this  year.
     Sometimes the Law of Attraction acts like a boomerang  because when I said “no”, that word sort of rebounded in the universe and came  right back to me…and pretty much laughed! “Forgetaboutit” said the Universe. “There’s work to do.”   
     And, because the voice of the Universe is very compelling, off I went.  
      I attended a meeting where 25 or so local women gathered to talk  about One Billion Rising RVA - an event that is going to occur on February 14,  2013.  One Billion Rising RVA is  part of a worldwide campaign organized by Eve Ensler (the founder of V- Day and   author of The Vagina Monologues) and activists across the globe.  At the meeting, I learned that one in three women on this planet will be  raped or beaten in her lifetime. That’s right -one in three!
    So this year, instead of reading the staggering statistics and  shaking my head thinking “what can I do?” - well, this year, I’m going to do  something. I’m going to Rise.   
  
      One Billion Rising RVA is an event, a rally, a
      revolution, a rising, a chance to dance and celebrate. February 14, 2013 is a
      time to come together to increase awareness, to demonstrate our collective
      strength, our numbers, and our solidarity across borders. It is a catalyst to a
      new time and a new way of being.

    On February 14, from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm,  I  will join the most fabulous RVA women and men and we are going to rally, rise  up, dance and celebrate to spread the word that we will no longer tolerate these  atrocities against women and girls.  Our numbers will shout to the world that violence towards women stops now!   Thousands of people all  over the globe have already committed to rising up on February 14!   Plan to be one of them.  If  you were like me, once thinking “what can I do?  Violence against women is a part of  life, it will never end” remember - never say never.  

Because it ends now.