Recharging Batteries

Mayoral Campaign Diary: Part V

 
We’re now 2 1/2 months into the campaign! Momentum is building, volunteers are growing, and we are evolving the platform to respond to what we are hearing at the door. I’m feeling the positive energy for change in Guelph. As someone who thrives on being a change-maker, I can’t wait to get started. But we still have 3 1/2 months to go….

The number of hours in a day are not infinite. Recharging physical and psychological batteries is necessary during a six month long campaign. This campaign diary started as a way for me to share the inside experience of a municipal campaign, including the impacts to health, family and spirit.

Since my first Hillside in 1992, the third weekend in July has served as a time to relax and reconnect with family and friends, enjoy great music and food, and make new memories. This summer, my intention was to set aside that weekend for no politics! Time to recharge the batteries, and hit the ground running again on Monday.

It didn’t quite unfold that way…

While I didn’t purposefully initiate any campaign conversations, many friends wanted to engage, volunteer, ask questions, and share feedback on key priorities. I welcomed those conversations because people really care about our city. Recharging my campaign batteries isn’t about escaping, but rather about being re-inspired, re-committed, re-focused.

As I reflect on the past weekend of “not” campaigning, here are ten things that I learned from Hillside that I will use to stay motivated in the months (and hopefully years) ahead: