DEAR READERS: Today marks the midterm Election Day across the United States. I am writing to you today with a plea to fulfill your civic duty. My column is not a place for political activism per se, and I’m not trying to turn it into that now. But I do think it is important to point out what should be obvious from a politically aware but neutral point of view: The right to vote is precious. When you look around the world and take note of the ways in which other governments work, you may be able to gain perspective on how fortunate we are in this country that virtually each one of us has the legal right to cast a ballot to say who we want to govern our cities, states and, indeed, the whole country.

For me, this is a no-brainer. Being African-American and knowing our history, I am clear that the right to vote was not a given for many years. Yes, in this country that we love so much, many black people were refused the right to vote for decades. A big part of the civil rights movement of the '50s and '60s was to secure the right to vote. Many blacks, particularly in the South, marched for this right, some even losing their lives in the process.

There were many tricks put into play to make it impossible for black people to vote, including literacy tests (illegal) and poll taxes (also illegal). And yet, persistence prevailed. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 ensured the right to vote regardless of race. It was created to uphold the 15th Amendment to the Constitution, which was enacted in 1870, but was largely unenforced in the South until this important piece of legislation was passed.

Similarly, women have been fighting for the right to vote for generations. It wasn’t until the 19th Amendment to the Constitution was made, in 1920, that women were afforded the legal right to vote. That, of course, was easier for white women. And still for all of these years, women have struggled with the realities of fighting for equal treatment under the law -- without grasping it in many cases. Indeed, the Equal Rights Amendment, which would guarantee equality for men and women under the law, is a piece of legislation that has yet to be voted through Congress.

Why do I say all of this? We need to know our history and exercise our rights. We live in a country of laws, where we elect individuals to stand up and represent our views and rights. And yet, most of us do not participate in the very basics of the political process. People are often too caught up in their day-to-day responsibilities or are unsure that their vote will make a difference.

I implore you to think differently. You must pay attention to what’s going on in your city, state and country. You must understand what issues are at stake right now and who represents different views about them. From there, you must take the time to cast your ballot.

Today is one of the most important days of your life, if you understand that who gets elected in your town will either support your values or not. Cast your ballot today. Make your vote count. And educate others about our history and responsibility to stand up for what we believe to be fair and just.

(Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)

DEAR HARRIETTE: I have been super busy at work and unable to exercise like my doctor told me to do. I am in a slump regarding my health. I was doing so well this year getting my weight under control, but now I feel like I have gone all the way back to the beginning. I have gained back the 15 pounds I lost last year, and my motivation is shot. My doctor cautions me to lose weight in order to get off my medication. I feel like time is up for me. I’m going to the doctor soon. What should I say? -- Lose It or Lose Everything, Boston

DEAR LOSE IT OR LOSE EVERYTHING: Stop beating yourself up. That doesn’t help to inspire the motivation you need to excel. Instead, get super practical. Having a rigorous work schedule can make it seem like there’s no time for anything else. Your doctor is trying to help you prioritize and know that if you don’t make time for your health FIRST, the rest will surely crumble. He is not exaggerating. You must have a healthy body in order to have the strength and stamina to work long hours and be fully present in your life.

Make a schedule for yourself. Plot out your time week by week. Figure out when you have to wake up in order to get to work on time, and add 15 minutes. Get up just a little earlier and do some stretching and cardio at home before you start your day. Make smart choices about what you eat and drink, especially when you are tired. Eliminate sweets and salty foods. Drink lots of water. Your discipline will pay off. The good news is that you will probably have more energy for everything if you follow the discipline your doctor ordered.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I hate having my picture taken, but some of my friends couldn't care less. It seems like every time I turn my head, one of them is snapping away. I don’t like it, and don’t feel like I should have to accept it all the time. I want to cut off social media and phones when people visit me. It’s one thing to be at an event where photos are being snapped and quite another to allow it everywhere. Do you think it’s reasonable for me to have a no-paparazzi rule in my home? -- Cut It Out, Pittsburgh

DEAR CUT IT OUT: You have every right to make whatever rules you desire in your own home. You can require people to put their cellphones and other electronic devices in a basket at the front door when they arrive. Let them know that you want your time together to be without the intrusion of social media or the myriad distractions that come from holding a little computer in your hand.

Add that you do not appreciate being photographed and posted about without your permission. Tell them you love them but want to be clear about boundaries. Do not scold them; just be clear. Then create a warm and loving environment for your friends. If they have a good time, they may come to share your view -- at least a little bit -- about being in the moment, free of distraction.

(Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)

DEAR HARRIETTE: I’m in the running for a new job at my company. The woman above me just quit to go to another company. It’s obvious (to me, at least) that this is the perfect job for me. I think my bosses like me a lot, and they say I am doing a good job. What should I do to lobby for this position? I want to get to the next level at my company, and I feel that now is my chance. -- On the Move, Philadelphia

DEAR ON THE MOVE: Take the time to research the job opening. What are the qualifications needed? Do you fulfill them? What makes you uniquely suited for this role? Develop answers to these questions so that you can go to your bosses and pitch yourself confidently as the right person for the job. Be proactive. Don’t wait too long to alert your bosses to your interest. You need to seem eager and prepared to step in. Don’t talk to your co-workers about it. Go directly to your bosses. When you present your strengths, do not compare yourself to any individuals in your company. Instead, speak to your interests and knowledge of the business. State with enthusiasm that you are ready to step into this next role. Tell them that they can trust you do to an excellent job.

DEAR HARRIETTE: When I was growing up, I never had to do chores. I know that sounds crazy, but it’s true. I was a good student and I convinced my parents that I had to do homework rather than wash dishes or make my bed. Now I realize that I didn’t learn basic skills. As an adult, I have always had a housekeeper, but now I am married and my husband hates the idea of a housekeeper. He thinks we should clean our house ourselves. I don’t know the first thing about cleaning, nor do I want to do it. How should I handle this? -- Need Cleaning Help, Raleigh, North Carolina

DEAR NEED CLEANING HELP: I wonder if there is a way for there to be a hybrid situation here. You definitely should learn how to do household basics. It is not too late for you to brush up on these skills. Your participation will encourage your husband. You can recommend that you also have housekeeping support of some kind on a regular basis to ensure that everything remains clean and tidy.

You may need to work on your husband to get him to feel comfortable about someone coming into the household who is not a family member. Your husband is not unusual in not wanting this extra person to be there. In order to get him to be comfortable about this, you need to choose someone who comes with strong recommendations and who is respectful of your privacy. Your active participation in cleaning your home should also soften your husband to agreeing to your request, since it shows that you are willing to agree to his.

(Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)