Meeting Charlie Kirk

To be honest, I didn't know who Charlie Kirk was until my son sent the family a group text with a video of himself in the middle of a large crowd, telling us that Charlie Kirk was speaking at his school that day.

I asked him who Charlie Kirk was, and he explained to me that he was a conservative leader who went to schools to invite debates about political topics.

My son is into politics, and I could tell he was really excited about getting to hear from him. He regretted that he couldn't stay the whole time because he would have to go to work in the middle of it. Here he is replying to his dad, who asked him a question on the family chat:

Why?

William then kept us updated about what his friends saw and with videos that were taken. I felt nauseous when I saw the videos. My mind couldn't wrap itself around how someone would do it. I started watching Charlie Kirk's YouTube videos to try to understand why.

What I Saw

Through those videos and news reports, I met a very good man. I saw someone having the courage to share what he believed to be true and inviting others to do the same. I saw a man who loved God, his family, and his country. I saw someone who wasn't content to just stand on the sidelines while there were people he could help. I was filled with admiration for his strength and conviction.

His death struck me in a way I wasn't expecting, since I hadn't really heard of him before this. It felt like such a huge loss for the world, not because everything he said was in alignment with my beliefs, but because a human with that kind of courage, faith, and conviction is rare. Taking that courage and faith from the world was a huge loss to all of us.

Dealing with Hate

When we see the damage hate can do, we feel a desire to do something to stop it. We all move through this world with gifts, desires, values, abilities, and experiences that qualify us to drown out hate in a way unique to us.

I was planning on telling you about the program I created last week, but I just felt heavy and sad, and not in a mood to "put myself out there."

But on Friday, as I watched the news come in about the young man who killed him, I began to feel more and more compelled to do something. And getting the program I created out into the world is what I know to do.

The young man who killed Charlie felt some sense of purpose. He probably saw it as an act of courage to wipe out what he saw as hate. Yet it's so misguided because it treats another human as less-than-human, as something disposable.

We need a generation of youth and parents who know how to navigate through all the conflicting messages on the internet and act in a way that is true to their values while respecting what others value.

We need to know that it doesn't have to be either/or about which values matter most; it can be both/and. Just because one value is important, it does not mean that the other is not. And if we can learn to listen, we can find solutions that honor both.

I recorded this video before the events of September 10th, but the part about the world getting louder rings especially true now.

Start Your Journey

Why it's Needed

I have been working on this experience on and off for eight years, but I put it aside as I got so busy in Mexico.

However, while I was there (and out of my suburban bubble), I saw some hard things, and I felt such a strong pull to get this program into as many hands as possible. I wanted everyone I knew to understand who they are and recognize the immense power they have to do good in this world. Each person has so much worth and is blessed with so many gifts, and most don't even see it.

I came to Texas determined to refine it, test it, and share it with you. Not because I think I have all of the answers to what is best for your life, but because I know you do, and I want to help you access that path as you get rid of limiting beliefs and create a life that keeps you present, connected, and calm; taking your next steps with clarity and confidence.

I also hope you will help me refine it so I can translate it into Spanish and get it to the youth and families in Mexico, whom we already love and will have the privilege to know and love later.

Renewed Dedication

I think crimes like this murder are done to silence and scare those who are trying to "put themselves out there" to do something about the problems they see.

It is easier to stay quiet in a scary world.

But I believe that instead, we all feel a renewed sense of living life with more purpose, more conviction, more vulnerability, and more courage to stand for the truth we have experienced, while honoring others as they try to do the same.

I feel blessed to have seen Charlie Kirk's courage, even if it was after he was gone from this earth. I know he will continue to be a strong force for good. I know he expects us to be as well.

Mexico Updates

The work moves on in Mexico while I try to get the program ready here. Here are a couple of videos Kai sent me from English classes. I can't even tell you how much I miss these guys! I love watching their progress from afar, though!

With love,

Karen Bates

P.S. The journey experience I created starts on October 13th. You can sign up for the free two-week trial today, and your free trial will start on October 13th. In the meantime, you will get some welcome videos and a few exercises you can start doing to prepare you for the start date. I'll be sending a few more reminder emails before the start date.