Last Friday, I woke up and wanted to spend my morning at the complex pool. I picked a podcast, brewed some coffee, packed blueberries and a sandwich, and made my way over.

My intention is to name the shame that many privileged people are feeling right now because if we don't name it, we will remain frozen, defensive and reactive, missing our opportunity to move forward with anti-racism work.

I was having a conversation with my friend Holly. She said something to me that I needed to hear. Maybe you need to hear it too: “Ability does not equal obligation. You’re capable of achieving anything, but that doesn’t mean you have to.”

In November 2016, I got a call from Kirsten, my adventurous college friend. “Hey girl, I’m backpacking through South America in January. Wanna come?” She’d laid out a dream itinerary full of nature, cities, art and culture. Opportunities like that don’t come along often. I jumped on it.