Doesn’t it feel like boarding up our windows for an oncoming hurricane?

It’s late. I’m tired. We’re all so tired. We have all done what we can to this point. Whether we have seen it as a fight, a war, a crusade, a mission, a tragedy, a comedy, a farse, an apocalypse or something else, it’s all about to climax–we think. But let’s consider a moment.

Will there be resolution of any kind by the time we go to bed Tuesday night? Very likely not. Even if the election result is clear, the road ahead looms treacherous either way. This is why I have committed to writing with the election in mind for the entire month–we will live in this morass for a long while yet, and we each/all get to decide how we will show up for our fellow citizens and humans. Will we participate in fomenting division and rage, or can we find another way to be and do?

*deep breath*

How will we get through? Can we be:

Mindful Intentional Thoughtful Humane Empathetic Compassionate Kind Generous ?

Tonight I implore us to frame our opinions, goals, aspirations etc around what we are for far ahead of what we are against. Constant rumination and speech around what we don’t want centers and amplifies just that. It keeps us stagnant and limits creativity, innovation, and collaboration. We can reframe “I’m against illegal immigration” into “I’m for justice and rule of law.” “I’m against family separation” can become “I’m for humane and merciful treatment of people fleeing violence.” We are far more likely to find shared values and goals around things we are for–because these are expressions of hope and aspiration. No surprise, we humans share these in common more than we admit in times of conflict. The both/all AND solutions emerge far more readily when we de-escalate from oncoming to coming alongside.

Here’s what I’m FOR:

Leaders of character and integrity

Holding elected officials accountable to their words and actions

Treating my fellow humans with respect, understanding, and kindness, regardless of their political leanings

Holding my fellow humans accountable for their words and behaviors toward me and others; low tolerance for ad hominem attacks and demeaning behavior of any kind

Government that is socially progressive and fiscally responsible and accountable

Patient-physician autonomy in medical decisions, especially women’s reproductive decisions

Non-violent, non-adversarial, mutually respectful political discourse

Transparency about conflicts of interest

Self-awareness, self-regulation, and effective communication at all levels of the electorate and elected/appointed officials

Learn. Practice. Train. Nothing will improve if we continue to cycle/spiral through futile interactions of emotional hijack and refusal to see one another’s points of view. We have so far and long yet to go, and it is up to each/all of us to heal the deep ruptures in our social fabric.

Please, for the love of us all, let us stay engaged. Rest when you must, know your limits, find your niche and make your contribution. Do it as humanely as you can–resist the urge to lash out, to offload your frustrations in hurtful ways. Find what upholds your patience, your forbearance, your steadfast perseverance, your courage–your fortitude–and immerse in these when you can. Look for the humanity in everyone around you, especially in those you may perceive as your ‘enemy’. The real enemies are cynicism, hopelessness, despair, and hatred. They are the hurricane.

The road is so long, so arduous. We trudge it together, like it or not.
Let us help one another onward, leaning and supporting in turn.

I Hold FORtitude for Us, individually and collectively.

Board our windows, and leave the porch lights on.