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The Struggles And Benefits Of Advocating For A Cause:

Others Just Don't Understand

By Freddie's Lost TreasuresPublished 8 months ago 3 min read
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Open The Doors And Don't Look Back (Photo by Freddie's Lost Treasures)

Have you ever felt passionate about something that most people don't seem to care about? Maybe you are an environmentalist, a human rights activist, a vegan, or a supporter of a niche art form. Whatever your cause is, you probably know how hard it can be to advocate for it in a world that doesn't understand or appreciate it.

Advocating for a cause that others don't understand can be challenging, frustrating, and lonely. You may face indifference, ridicule, hostility, or even violence from those who disagree with you or don't see the value of your cause. You may feel isolated from your family, friends, or community who don't share your vision or enthusiasm. You may struggle to find resources, allies, or platforms to spread your message and make a difference.

But advocating for a cause that others don't understand can also be rewarding, fulfilling, and empowering. You may discover new perspectives, insights, and skills that enrich your life and broaden your horizons. You may connect with like-minded people who support you, inspire you, and collaborate with you. You may create positive change in yourself, in others, or in the world through your actions and words.

So how can you balance the struggles and benefits of advocating for a cause that others don't understand? Here are some tips that may help you:

Be clear about your purpose and goals. Why do you care about this cause? What do you hope to achieve by advocating for it? How do you measure your success? Having a clear sense of direction can help you stay focused, motivated, and resilient in the face of challenges.

Be respectful and empathetic. How do you communicate your cause to others? Do you listen to their opinions and concerns? Do you acknowledge their values and experiences? Do you avoid judgmental or aggressive language? Being respectful and empathetic can help you build trust, rapport, and understanding with others, even if they don't agree with you.

Be open and flexible. How do you learn about your cause and its related issues? Do you seek out diverse sources of information and perspectives? Do you question your own assumptions and biases? Do you adapt to changing circumstances and feedback? Being open and flexible can help you grow your knowledge, skills, and creativity as an advocate.

Be realistic and optimistic. How do you cope with the difficulties and setbacks of advocating for your cause? Do you recognize the limits of your resources and influence? Do you celebrate the small wins and progress along the way? Do you maintain a positive attitude and outlook? Being realistic and optimistic can help you manage your expectations, emotions, and energy as an advocate.

Advocating for a cause that others don't understand is not easy, but it is not impossible either. It is a journey that requires passion, courage, and perseverance, but also offers rewards, opportunities, and satisfaction. It is a journey that can make you a better person and the world a better place.

If you have a cause that matters to you, don't let others discourage you or stop you from pursuing it. Instead, use the tips above to overcome the struggles and enjoy the benefits of advocating for it. Remember that you have a unique mission in life and stick to it regardless of the challenges that may exist. You are not alone in this journey. You are an advocate for a cause that others don't understand. I have my cause and over significant amounts of time in my life, have developed a few more and do not care who is with me or not because they are for me and nobody else.

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Original story (created by me) published on Medium.com. Any changes and/or updates that have been added on Vocal.media are for content consumption purposes.

Thank you for your time, I hope you thoroughly enjoyed what you have read today.

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About the Creator

Freddie's Lost Treasures

A traveler in search of lost and hidden treasures. I have assembled a lifelong learning of being in the business world and decided to take a leap to see what is outside the confines of brick and mortar and left the 9 to 5 behind.

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Comments (2)

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  • Noor Mohammad8 months ago

    I think advocating is the art of giving voice to the silent causes, painting a brighter future with the strokes of empathy and justice. Peace !

  • A. Lenae8 months ago

    I gained so much from this! For some (me), it's easy to get swept up in the passion of advocacy and service without asking questions that can help one's efforts be that much more productive and purposeful. "How do you measure success?" is especially powerful to consider. This is a thoughtful piece that will inspire and support others in their mission to contribute, and I really commend you for taking the time to craft this.

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