Here we are, the week of the most contentious election during the most challenging year we have experienced as a collective. Calling it is intense is an understatement!  Even if you don’t follow politics or even vote, the tension is palpable and permeating virtually everything. The fact that we have become a divisive society of extreme perspectives such as us vs them, right/wrong, we are good/they are evil create high anxiety and even fear around the outcome.

 Here is how you can navigate this week and the election results: Have patience, be gracious, process your emotions and trust.

 Patience

 “Everything comes gradually and at its appointed hour.” – Ovid

This election already has been a test of our patience and it isn’t over yet!  It is very likely we won’t know the results right away so try to be patient.  This may take practice but it will spare your sanity.  People are VERY tense about this election so be patient with others too. Even if you are fairly chill about it all, remember that others are stressed. Be extra patient with loved ones, and people you encounter out in the world in your daily activities.  Smile a little more this week too. Please 🙂

Graciousness

“You learn how to be a gracious winner and an outstanding loser” ~ Joe Namath

When the results are final… whenever that is!… be gracious.  Some people will be elated over the results while others will be unhappy, maybe even devastated.  Be sensitive to other’s responses to the results as you would hope they would as well.  If your candidate wins, be a gracious winner. Don’t gloat, don’t be obnoxious, don’t act out. Temper your righteous zeal. If your candidate loses, be an outstanding loser. Don’t go on the attack, don’t be obnoxious, don’t lash out.  Temper your righteous zeal.  Did you notice the similarities?? Emotions are high for everyone so be respectful and understand that your actions have impact. Do you want to perpetuate the division or are you ready to work towards harmony? “If you want understanding try giving some.” ~ Malcolm Forbes

Process Your Emotions

“Instead of resisting any emotion, the best way to dispel it is to enter it fully, embrace it and see through your resistance.” ~ Deepak Chopra

Process the intense emotions you feel about the results and do so in a healthy way. You may feel anger, despair, shame, fear, anxiety, confusion, hopeless or even helpless.  Channel this by talking to a trusted friend or therapist.  Journal.  Cry, yell, punch a pillow.  Be gentle with yourself while you grieve and work through the stages. Don’t blame “them”, get involved to create the desired country, starting with your community. 

Remember, the presidency is one person, one branch.  Don’t give that person so much power over you and your life.  Use your negative emotions, or positive if that is the case, and pour it into your community, become an activist, volunteer, form a group with a cause. Get involved in local politics and council meetings. Local is where it all starts and where the real impact is anyway.  Be a seeker of synergy, not a soldier of division.

Trust

 “I trust in the ebb and flow of the universe. I trust that life’s bigger than what I can see. I trust that there is a divine order beyond my control. And I trust that no matter what happens, I will be all right.” ~ Oprah Winfrey

 I know this may be tough right now but trust that whatever the outcome, it is for the highest good even if we can’t see why or how.  We are in the midst of great change in this country. Whomever wins is a catalyst for that change either as a result of his actions or a response to his actions. Trust that there is a bigger picture to this that will come into focus in the coming months and years. There are bigger forces at play and will be revealed in time.

 Don’t assume what life or our country will be like as a result of this president.  2020 has been a year of sudden change big surprises and 2021 will be more of the same.  It will be a more settled year in some ways yet will also be full of surprises and revelations.  This year has taught us to be more adaptable to change, to not get so disrupted or derailed by it. We are a little more desensitized to sudden change which will serve us well.

In a severely divided nation, we are at a crossroads. Do you want harmony or do you want separation? Do you want isolation or community? To you want to just survive or do you want to thrive?  This fate is ultimately in OUR hands, not our elected officials.  If we understand this, if we act with honor towards each other, our elected officials will be forced to do the same and we will have harmony, community and we will thrive. If we stay complacent, angry or self-focused, we will have more of the same separation, isolation and will barely survive. Which will you choose? Practice surrendering to trust, stay in the moment and take action when inspired.  You do have impact.

 “When people honor each other, there is a trust established that leads to synergy, interdependence, and deep respect. Both parties make decisions and choices based on what is right, what is best, what is valued most highly.” ~ Blaine Lee