On Saturday night while a little wine drunk, I was reading An Open Letter to Fans from morethanavote.org when John Mulaney’s opening monologue started on SNL. I found myself equally engrossed in both messages: the former an uplifting initiative to empower Black voters, and the latter, an early stumble that wrapped with a pretty funny joke about sleepovers. The crux was the same, however: go out and vote, and know that even then, the work is not done. Now, on the eve of 2020 Election Day, or perhaps more aptly put, 2020 Election Day 1, with my vote already in, I’m still thinking about both. Why? Because regardless of how this election cycle plays out, it’s that same energy that will contribute to our successes, keep us connected, and affect real change in culture. Simply put: it’s showing up.

I once read that 99% of success is just showing up. And while “success” might sound a little too life coach-y in the face of a nation in crisis, it’s safe to say that we could all use some wins right now. So show up. Keeping showing up. Show up for democracy. Show up for your community. Show up for suppressed voters. Show up for that thing your friend invited you to. Show up for that tough conversation you’re dreading. Show up to watch the title game even if you loss in the first round. Show up to practice. Buy something from her Etsy page. Read the article that was forwarded to you. Show up to the next election. Show up for whatever you believe in. Show up on time. Show up with sincerity. Keep showing up. Keep showing up.

Oddball is great, but at this juncture, it still doesn’t compare to the individual communities that you see in our content. What I see in Royal Palms and what the Royal Palms crew sees in American Bocce and what we all see in the World Wiffle®. Ball guys (the list goes on) is so incredibly special because of how the people in these communities show up for each other. Sometimes it feels like the worlds of sports and recreation and entertainment aren't all that important, but I can promise you that they are. Because, with all of these communities in place, whether it’s sketch comedy, professional athletes, or even a bocce league in Traverse City, Michigan, as long as we keep showing up, we will keep showing up for each other.