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Welcome!

Elisa Johnston Average Advocate Welcomes You

What I’m I About?

Like you might be, I’m a busy parent, a leader of some, and I even burnt-out while doing world changing things (surprise!). I re-calibrated. I’ve brushed-off, grown a little, and now use my experiences (both the good and bad) to continue empowering you to make a difference–but while also guiding you be more fully alive. Sound good? > Let’s do this!

 

Dear You,

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I’m Insta’ For You!

Ever done a self-defense class? During that semes Ever done a self-defense class? During that semester I lived in Spain, I would take these walks at night, by myself along the streets. At one point it hit me that this was VERY unsafe: I had no clue where I was, I didn't speak Spanish very fluently, and no one else knew where I was. I also knew NO self-defense. The one thing I did possess, though (along with naivety) was confidence. I would stand tall and look anyone who scared me in the eyes. Honestly, I think this one defense I did have might have saved me from some serious trouble. Later I got involved in anti-trafficking work, and then, later, helping protect those at-risk from sexual abuse. No surprise, but because of that I've always wanted to do a self defense class, not just for myself, but my kids. A few years back I interviewed @8675309mp of @paladinmartialarts about self-defense techniques to teach kids, and had her teach us some for a parent curriculum I attempted to write. But it hasn't actually been until this weekend we actual took self-defense classes. After all this time, it is ironic that the one at my kids school with @playitsafedefense ended up being the same weekend as for the one with the women in my church community with @powayimpact . They were very different. They were very similar. And I'm glad we got to go. I am pretty sure I won't remember what to do if attacked (unless I practice a lot more), but I definitely see we all feel a lot more confident and empowered to stand up for our bodies if needed. How about you? Ever done a self defense class? Have your kids? Tell me about it!
We came back from Jerusalem a few weeks ago to my We came back from Jerusalem a few weeks ago to my kids and visiting family (wonderful, but reconnecting takes a lot of energy). We also can back to a pretty huge crisis and a birthday. Then four of us got sick, and as soon as we recovered--I threw-out my back. In my leadership life, two huge launches were also rolling, so I had to hit the ground running. Let's just say I went from an incredibly peaceful, much needed vacation of rest and reconnection, to being ON. My name is Elisa and I'm a recovering "save the world for God" person. About five years ago I realized I was burnt-out. Yes, that belief is a little misguided (and all misguided things screw us over after awhile), but also, I was burned out because I wasn't prepared to get through seasons like this. Running to the urgent constantly, even for good things, keeps us from building more than a surface-level foundation. Crazy seasons are a guarantee. But if you build your foundation well BEFORE they come, you won't topple. I'm still building my foundation on love and truth. I am still creating intentional times, days, and seasons of rest. I am still continually practicing filling so I can overflow. I am still discovering peace, joy, gratitude and life to recalibrate with when stress and worry is heavy. I am still learning how to say "no" to some urgent things, make boundaries, have hard conversations, and figure out what matters most and live in favor of what is most important. I am still learning. And if you know what I am talking about, I invite you to join me. To keep me sane these past weeks, I keep going back to this safe, peaceful place, a hidden garden and roof-view at the Austrian Hospice in Old Jerusalem. I loved how they viewed their location as strategic to bring peace to a city of no peace. That is what preparing for chaos is like. You can control it, and often you can't remove it. But you can find peace in it if you've build a foundation of faith and love to surrender to when chaos comes. If you know what I mean, and are with me, put an emoji in the comments. If you are just meeting me, introduce yourself! I look forward to meetint you! #fridayintroductions #fridayintroduction
Here are the books I've been skimming or reading t Here are the books I've been skimming or reading this January. I am missing a couple here that are on my Kindle (two crime novels). But I will be the first to say there is no way I'll get through all of these this month! So now I am trying to decide, which will help me be more fully alive? Or make the difference in the world I am born to make? What about you? Which would you pick up first and why? #books #january #januarybookclub #mentalheath #hollyblack #seven #jenhatmaker #matchmakingforbeginners #buildingastroybrand #lifecoaching #boarderlinepersonalitydisorder #doinglifewithyouradultchildren #healingtrauma #traumainformedcare #beloved #newkindofleader #calmingtherushofpanic #overcomingtrauma #ptsd #mentalhealth
I put together this post last month, simply becaus I put together this post last month, simply because I am so frequently asked about it. The truth is, many of us hate marketing. As @createifwriting calls it, we don't want to feel "smarmy" - but we do want to connect with our audiences, the people we lead in our small groups, businesses, ministries, projects, we've got to do it. I actually don't mind marketing, as i love connecting with people and talking about what I love. For me, the greatest hindrance is thar I can't market full-time and do what I do well (leading, coaching, writing, etc...) and market well at the same time. Marketing is something most of us rising leaders have to embrace, at least to an extent, of we want to make the difference in the world we are born to make. What about you, what is your struggle when it comes to communicating and marketing with the people who you are trying to serve? In this post I talk about three tools we use with @blackouttrafficking when we have the manpower to use them well. And yes, as of now, I'm giving you access to them. Tell me if it helps (or what would help). Go to link in profile and you should see it at the top (or Https://www.averageadvocate.com/2019/12/social-media-tools-for-rising-leaders/ )
What is your favorite MLK quote? My kids only car What is your favorite MLK quote? My kids only care about today because they got off school. Guess it doesn't matter how often we talk about justice in our home. Are your kids the same?😂 Yesterday I wrote about justice, or "public love" in my post, but today, as we consider the Civil Rights Movement (which, come on folks, is still going), I wanted to pull out this mural from Old Jerusalem, within hundreds of yards of the Western Wall, massive ancient churches, and the Islamic Dome of the Rock. Together we stand, divided we fall. MLK might not have quoted that, but he sure said something similar, "We must learn to live together as brothers or we will perish together as fools." I'm not one of those folks who believe three major world religions are the same, nor do I think they will or should become unified into the same. However, even though there cannot be unity on all things, there can be some. Some truths override traditions and trappings of religion. The need for justice, shalom, GOOD--this is one of those things I believe was there at the beginning, is broken in the middle, and is to be restored at the end. Although we will probably will not agree on what this looks like exactly, all of these religions believe there is some standard of good, or justice. I want to focus on what we do agree on. This is where we start. This is where we listen. This is where peacemaking and reconciliation happens. Speaking to my fellow Jesus followers: You do not have to sacrifice your beliefs to work in tandem with others for good. We do not hold a monopoly on good, even if we claim to know its source. So let us become diligent in being MORE associated with what we are for than what we are against. As MLK said, "Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that." Your turn: what MLK quote stands out to you? . . . #mlk #martinlutherking #unity #worldreligions #followingjesus #loveoverhate #mlkquotes #religion #islam #judaism #christianity #jerusalem #westernwall #domeofrock #mural #lovedoes #hate #justice #seekingjustice #parenting #noschool #seekjustice #together #togetherwestand #civilrights #civilrightsmovement
Someone else said it (and they might have said it Someone else said it (and they might have said it better than I did)! . For years I've tried to put words to the tie between justice and love, and had finally settled on "love big/love small" - On a macro level love looks like creating justice systems. On a micro level, it means going deeper, even if the ways you are showing love are small (like acts of kindness or taking the time to see and pursue those already around us). . One of my favorite ancient passages is "Let us stop just saying we love each other; let us really show it by our actions." (1 John 3:18). Many of us love the idea of kindness, justice, compassion, etc...but rarely live it out. This is how I want to be different, and how I assume you do too if you've followed me for five minutes or five years. We don't just want to talk about love. We want to be it, live it, do it. Today, sure, rest, refill, love those in your home. But don't forget tomorrow, that love is big too. So bring love to the stage and live it in public with justice. Image via @daniellejstrickland (another powerful advocate for loving with our actions) #justice #lovebig #lovedoes #loveothers #compassion #kindness #lovedeep #belove #livelove #actionsarelouderthanwords #inpublic #socialjustice
There was a show tonight, beginning at an odd time There was a show tonight, beginning at an odd time, but starting on the dot. Surfers, families, couples, solitary, rich, poor and broken streamed on to one single staircase, one pile of rocks, smashed by waves, united. Tide high, we were gated in as observers, commanded by the sea to confront the glorious changing sky, reflecting over sea. Even the smallest child could not be distracted by buckets of sand and shovels--they too were frozen still, captured above. There are no words or pictures for fifteen minutes in this theater. There is no exchange for a fifteen minute display, a sharing of the sunset on the sea. These moments with strangers are always worth the chasing, better than gold, stronger than wine and more potent than worries. The admission is free to buoy your heart above wave-tosed rocks and under curving palm trees. . . . #oceanside #sandiego #sunset #wintersunset #poetry #westcoast #poem #beauty
You know something I love? . Getting to know peopl You know something I love? . Getting to know people I don't know as well as I'd like to, especially when there is something I can share that might empower them too. . Today I hung-out with my neighbor and fellow entrepreneur, @aehphotography and talked about business, goal planning/weekly scheduling, boundaries, and adulting. . A little networking can always be life-giving, reminding us that we aren't alone, we have something to bring to the table, and something to learn at the table. . That being said, in classic #FridayIntroduction style, hello, I'm Elisa and this is my friend, Alexis. (You are oh-so-honored to see this terrible picture of us.) Alexis is an amazing family photographer and loves doing newborn pictures, check her out. . Myself, I thrive wearing a lot of hats as an ennegramm seven. But today, I've been talking a little bit about life coaching and planning, these two things that keep me grounded to be able to say "no" and "yes" to where I best fit as I make a difference in the world. . (Is that something you see you need more of that in 2020? If so, DM me about Life Mapping, coaching or download my free workbook from the profile link > or https://www.averageadvocate.com/life-mapping ) . Now that you've met two of us everyday people, I'd love to meet you and hear what you love bringing to the table! Be sure to introduce yourself in the comments! . . . #sandiego #sandiegoentrepreneurs #fridayintroductions #lifemapping #photography #smallbusinesses #copavida #sandiegomoms #sandiegobloggers #sandiegophotographers #familyphotography #sandiegonewbornphotography #lifecoaching #goalplanning #neighbors #coaching #momtrepreneurs #weeklyplanning #goals
This is my little artist. . He paints the sky, wal This is my little artist. . He paints the sky, walls and paper with color. . He surprised me, my second chance to mommy the littlest ones, but this time well. . He makes me more insane with his energy and unceasing talking than any other of my children. . His vibrancy makes our lives come alive. . Happy sixth birthday, little man, a few days late. You are a wonder! . . . #happybirthday #sixyearsold #color #alive #parenting #mommyblogger #mykidiscoolerthanyours
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