The Leading Causes of Life
We all know most of the leading causes of death – heart disease, cancer, stroke, accidents and overdoses, respiratory illnesses, Alzheimer’s disease and suicide, just to name a few.
For children, injury from firearms is the leading cause of death, according to research published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Sadly, we have seen several children in Oregon die from firearm injuries just this past week. Our hearts go out to their families, friends, and community. We must do better to prevent such horrific and tragic loss of life.
What, however, are the leading causes of life? Gary Gunderson, a long-time advocate for health and well-being, believes the leading causes of life are:
Connection – having a sense of community and belonging
Coherence – having meaning and purpose in one’s life
Agency – having the ability to make choices and act upon them
Blessing – a sense of gratitude; and
Hope – the ability to imagine something better and to invest in that hope.
I was struck, at the No Kings March that I attended last Saturday, by how many of these elements were in evidence there. There was a purpose for gathering – to change the trajectory of despair that many people are feeling. The people of this district, this state, and this country have agency – we can choose how we act and respond as residents here. I heard the hope expressed by so many who were there. We have a chance to make a difference in this upcoming election, and working together, we can make a difference in so many other ways, as well. People were connecting with each other – many had come there with friends or family, and many talked with folks they hadn’t met before. And there was a sense of gratitude that we weren’t in this work alone.
There is much to be done. We must get out the vote to ensure that the voice of every Oregonian is heard. We have to step up to help where help is needed, whether that be in government – there were four seats on my ballot for the Soil and Water District where no one had filed to run – or helping with some of the many non-profit organizations we have across our region and supporting the important work they are doing.
We have hope and agency, and with those things, we can find connection and coherence, for which I am grateful, as I am grateful for you.
Warmest thanks,
Deb
Canvass Update
Thank you so much to those who came out to canvass this past weekend, including members of the Oregon Labor Federation, SEIU, AFSCME, LiUNA, the Oregon Nurses Association, and fellow Senators Rob Wagner, Kayse Jama, and Courtney Neron-Misslin who were with us on Saturday. And thank you to the many family, friends and colleagues, who came out to speak
with voters on Sunday. I am grateful for the connections forged as we share the purpose for this work together – we have agency and hope!
Two Weeks till November 3rd!
In the remaining two weeks before the election, we will be meeting to door-knock at the Salem SEIU office (3470 Pipebend Pl NE, Salem, OR 97301). Please join us this Saturday, October 21st, at 10:00 am to help us get out the vote! We will also have options for virtual phone banking as well.
Can’t make it this Saturday? Please let us know, as we will be canvassing every day for the final two weeks until the election. For more information, or to RSVP, please e-mail Jade@DebPattersonOR.org.
Labor Canvass at the Salem AFSCME office on Saturday, October 17th.
Senator Patterson with friends and colleagues on Sunday, October 18th.
This campaign is powered by people who care deeply about our community and our future. If you believe in the work we’re doing, I hope you’ll consider making a contribution to help us keep moving forward—together.