I hear you about "killing your brain"...I couldn't even understand Tom's answer to me about the "critical characteristic"!....
and now I'm supposed to be sleeping becasue I have to be charming tomorrow (hey! - yes, I can be charming, lol) and instead my brain stuck is in overdrive at 2:00AM.
But I wanted to comment if I may, on what stands out to me about what you just said (and this is just my opinion) and that is there are contradictions contained therein.
first, when you said "I think all those things are good but", to Lisa and then you said "I think it's going to take a lot of work and time".
See to me, I mean, don't you think that IS the work that needs to be done... otherwise, how or where do we begin demand a voice, demand to be heard", if we don't start there?
Secondly, when you said "I'm thinking more on the lines of the future. Life for my kids, and their kids."...
and I would then have to ask, "so are we not laying down the blueprint for the future right now?? And I believe we are, I think our choices, (to participate or not), our complacencies and our actions or inactions are the very essence of that which compounds to become the future.
Now here when you say: "So now I want to make a difference. I'm not political. I don't like arguing about beliefs because I think we're all entitled to our own. But if the government wants to tell me that my daughter isn't eligible for help in school because her diagnosis hasn't been added to the DSM book yet, because the new edition hasn't yet been published, well, now I have something to say! (Note: she's getting help now.)
I understand that to mean, essentially that "it's not worth it until it's on my radar screen", a priority for you- and to that I would say ,I totally agree, becasue "isn't that all we can really ask of ourselves?..to stand up when it matters most to us?...
I think it's critical that the "unwavering belief" is inplace first, in order to commit to whatever it is"-
I mean how are we to pursue anything with out the heartfelt belief that is a worthy pursuit?
and I would submit to you that anything less that that is not only improbable feat, but impossible. And that "worthiness" can only come from what is a priority to us as an individual.
And on that note, I am really going to sleep - sinces I'm not even sure I know what I said - so I have no idea who on the h#ll I'm channeling here, lol! ;)