you count

i used to think and say, "my vote doesn't count."
that whether i vote or not,
my vote will not make a difference,
it might have been true, and it may be true today...
i don't know enough about the inner workings of politics 
to know if it is true or not...
when i believed that my vote didn't make a difference
 i was also believing and saying,
"i don't make a difference!"
and while i don't know a lot about politics,
there is something i do know for sure...
anytime we say, 
"my vote doesn't count"  
we perpetuate the idea that many of us live with daily, 
that WE don't count,
that what we think, feel, believe, and say, doesn't count,
that we don't matter, that our being here does not make a difference,
and these are just more phrases and thoughts
that add to many we say and think
that tell those around us and fill space in our heads
with the horrible and WRONG idea that
WE DON'T COUNT! 
OF COURSE WE DO!
EXPONENTIALLY!
so, i'm asking you to go out and vote
even if you don't want to, even if you think your vote doesn't count
or matter or is going to make a difference regarding who fills offices- 
make the effort to VOTE
if for no other reason than to say
to yourself and to others
"I MATTER!  I COUNT! IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE IN THIS WORLD THAT
I AM HERE!"
we have to fill our minds and spirits 
with these kinds of words and actions
in order to leave no room for words and actions 
that keep us from realizing our absolute value,
our birthright, THE TRUTH,
that...
WE BELONG HERE...WE MATTER...WE COUNT!