A Short Celebration

The Day of the Dead (or Día de los Muertos) is a beautiful holiday in Mexican culture, where people honor and celebrate the lives of loved ones who have passed away. Families come together with joy rather than mourning in sadness, creating altars (ofrendas) filled with photos, candles, food, and marigold flowers. It’s believed that during this time—November 1st and 2nd—the spirits of the dead return to be with the living, sharing in laughter, memories, and love.

It is possible to honor this holiday respectfully, regardless of your ethnicity. Start by learning about its meaning, understanding it’s not just “Mexican Halloween,” and participating in ways that respect its roots. Lighting a candle in memory of loved ones or reflecting on the connection between life and death. It is a holiday about cherishing what we’ve lost while staying hopeful and grateful for what we still have.

In addition to remembering family, The Day of the Dead reminds us how loss shapes our lives. This idea connects not only to people but to things that seem to disappear. This year there are many rights and freedoms to reflect upon. However, unlike the spirits of ancestors that may return to visit, the freedoms we’ve lost recently will only return if we take action.

In the past 18 months, we’ve seen federal policies and court decisions change the rules about our rights and personal freedoms. Just like a family mourns a loved one on Day of the Dead, many of us feel the weight of the freedoms that have slipped away seemingly out of our control and with a large impact on our day-to-day lives.

In addition to remembering family, The Day of the Dead reminds us how loss shapes our lives. This idea connects not only to people but to things that seem to disappear. This year there are many rights and freedoms to reflect upon. However, unlike the spirits of ancestors that may return to visit, the freedoms we’ve lost recently will only return if we take action.

In the past 18 months, we’ve seen federal policies and court decisions change the rules about our rights and personal freedoms. Just like a family mourns a loved one on Day of the Dead, many of us feel the weight of the freedoms that have slipped away seemingly out of our control and with a large impact on our day-to-day lives.

This includes:

• Personal choices in healthcare and privacy, such as decisions about reproductive rights, have been limited in some states.
• Free speech and protest rights have come under new restrictions, narrowing where, how, or even if people can express themselves in public.
• Voting rights have also faced challenges, with new laws making it harder for some people to cast their ballots or have their voices counted equally.

Each of these losses has a personal impact, affecting our ability to live as freely as we once did. These freedoms are like candles that once burned brightly—now dimmed by new laws and decisions.

The beauty of the Day of the Dead is that it teaches us that even though something has been lost, it still matters. Ancestors may be gone, but their stories, lessons, and love live on. In the same way, the freedoms we’ve lost aren’t things to forget—they are things to understand and fight for more than ever. Living in a community means we can understand how those we love, call friends, and work with are impacted by freedoms some of us have never considered.

Do you understand how these freedoms change the lives of those around you?

The rights we once had may seem like they’ve disappeared, but they do not have to be gone forever. Voting in elections, uplifting marginalized voices and speaking out in our communities can shape the future. Our voices are like the marigold flowers on an altar—guiding the way back to what we’ve lost.

We celebrate the Day of the Dead by welcoming back ancestors, knowing they will leave again soon. But freedom should never be something that slips away without a fight. This holiday teaches us that memory and action go hand in hand. We must work hard to protect the future just as we honor the past.

Let’s reflect on what we’ve lost over the past months—not with sorrow but determination. We CAN’T let these freedoms rest in peace. Together, we must bring them back and ensure they stay for ourselves and the generations yet to come.

Unlock a deeper level of self-reflection with the Construct the Present Reflection Journal.

This journal offers a personal &  collective path to growth, allowing you to reflect at your own pace. Write, reflect, and envision new ways to expand your thinking.

The upcoming elections offer the perfect time to recommit to personal growth. Use the journal with family and friends to spark meaningful discussions.

Use the journal to unite your team and encourage dialogue as an organization. Or, partner with Construct the Present to help deepen dialogue across your teams.

Start today – reclaim those freedoms and continue doing the work to keep us moving forward.

Our best clients come from referrals like yours! Please consider emailing us at support@constructthepresent.com and introducing us if you have a colleague in mind whose organization could benefit from our training. We would love to connect, understand their needs, and add value where possible!

B Corp Recertified: 30-Point Boost!

I’m excited to announce that we’ve officially recertified as a B Corp with a final score of 115.9—an improvement of 30 points from our last certification! Our highest impact areas were Workers (33.9) and Community (32.5), reflecting our deep commitment to caring for our people and the communities we serve. The certification process was challenging, but it has only strengthened my resolve to continue using business as a force for good.

B Corp certification goes beyond a label—it’s a commitment to accountability, transparency, and creating a positive impact. I encourage other businesses to consider becoming certified. It’s a powerful way to ensure that our companies prioritize the well-being of both people and the planet, and it holds us to the highest standards of social and environmental responsibility. In today’s world, businesses have a crucial role in building a more sustainable and equitable future, and certifications like this help us lead the way. We couldn’t have done it without the guidance and support of the Impact Collective.