A funny thing happened on the way from the Presidential Election – I realized I had been a terrible citizen.

Tell me I’ve been focused on my first world problems. Tell me my privilege is showing. Tell me I am “blissfully unaware of most things” (still one of my favorite Manic Mommies reviews).

I agree.

I read, a bit. I was informed on the issues, kind of. I watched press conferences, debates and addresses, infrequently. I had opinions, but not enough facts.

I trusted, too much. Assumed, too much. Ignored, too much. Believed, too much. Listened, too little. Acted, too infrequently.

But that has all started to change.

Today I am a subscriber and daily reader of the Wall Street Journal, as well as frequent reader, watcher and listener of several other news sources. Not because I want to, but because it’s too easy to get stuck in a bell jar made up of articles from just one point of view.

Today I am one who tries to listens to those contradictory comments coming through my social media feeds. Not because I want to, but because I have to try to understand why so many felt that the current administration was the right choice for their families, their communities and our country.

Today I am one who watched the Presidential Inauguration, as well as follows @POTUS on Twitter. Not because I want to, but because I need to take advantage of the opportunity to see what those who have been charged with leading our country for the next four years are thinking, unfiltered.

Today I am one who marched with millions of women and men in Boston and around the world, including our daughter. Not because I wanted to, but because I have to make sure that our state and local representatives understand that we look to them to be our voice. I also had to be there to show my daughter that anything worth believing in is worth our time, our attention, and a little bit of discomfort.

Today I am one who is looking at what else I can do, starting with helping amplify the messages from this weekend’s march through the 10 Actions for the first 100 Days campaign. Not because I want to, but because I have to make sure that the work started this weekend continues and that I don’t slip back into my old ways.

Because that’s what democracy looks like.