I’m on my journey to post-election recovery. The results hit me very hard on every level — emotionally, mentally and physically.
But I’m slowly coming back. I can feel myself healing and day by day replenishing the lost energies and spirit that took a dip in response to the shock of Trump’s victory.
I know some were able to dive straight into anger and mobilize, but I’m more on the sensitive side and needed time to process the grief and confusion.
This processing period is almost over and I’m now doing the best I can to pick myself up.
For a mother of 3, wife of an ever traveling husband and owner of a healing practice, emotional processing has its time limits.
I know all too well that the first stop here is some major self-care. For those of you going through the grief, I invite you to do a little bit of self-loving, so that you can survive the mourning period honestly and when you are ready, begin to rebuild the strength you need to move forward through this next phase of, well, common human existence.
For those of you ready to move on, I want to share with you some of the pieces of wisdom that have helped me to rekindle my flame and consciously shift my perspective on this whole bad hombre turn of events. Here are a few truthbombs that I’m drawing on to help me get through this difficult time.
Truthbomb #1
We are all but a speck of dust in an ever-expanding forever-lasting Universe.
In his book, Pale Blue Dot: A Vision of the Human Future in Space, Carl Sagan reminds us that “Earth is a very small stage in a vast cosmic arena…Our posturings, our imagined self-importance, the delusion that we have some privileged position in the Universe, are challenged by this point of pale light” — our Earth as seen from Space.
Trump’s tenure at the White House is one of many many many turn of events that will mark a very very very long history on a very very very insignificant speck of dust. This is the truth.
So we mustn’t allow the US elections to overwhelm us [period]. On a relative scale, it is much too small and insignificant in the larger scheme of things.
Having said all that, this is not a call to party like it’s 1999. The fact of the matter here is (as Sagan points out) that this small speck of dust is one that we all share. And that it is therefore “our responsibility to deal more kindly with one another, and to preserve and cherish the pale blue dot, the only home we’ve ever known”. (See Truthbomb #5).
Truthbomb #2
This too shall pass.
This is a proverb from the medieval Levent (Persian, Hebrew and Turkey) around 1200AD. The proverb means that all conditions, whether good or bad, are transient. Or as my mother always told me: Change is the only constant.
Four years folks, four years.
Truthbomb #3
It’s been worse and it could be worse.
I know, I know…anything can be worse than it already is. But honestly speaking, in the history of time there have been worse leaders (i.e., Attila the Hun) and unspeakable atrocities that will not be repeated under Trump. Historically speaking, we’ve come a long way. And again, in the big scheme of things four years isn’t enough time to undo absolutely everything that humans have worked towards over millenia. After all, he is only the President of one country, not the rule of the Universe. (If you are doubting this one, skip onto Truthbomb #8)
Truthbomb #4
We are more the same than we are different.
No matter how different we are in our opinions and in our politics, and no matter how confusing this may seem, all humans share certain basic truths in common.
Let this knowledge help you to listen more and hold compassion in your heart for those who sit on the other side of the fence. As John F. Kennedy said: “Our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this planet. We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children’s future. And we are all mortal.”
Truth.
Truthbomb #5
Responsibility and power lies within.
Viktor E. Frankl, Austrian neurologist and psychiatrist as well holocaust survivor, said: “When we are no long able to change a situation — we are challenged to change ourselves.”
So maybe you are watching and waiting. Or maybe you are mobilizing and taking to the streets. And while I know that you didn’t choose Trump and are pissed off that others did, taking Frankl’s words to heart is likely the hardest yet most powerful step each of us can take to make for a better world.
As individuals, we always have a certain degree of control over how we choose to live. You have the choice to honor your power and to live in alignment with your values.
Here I am inspired by writer Isrealmore Ayivor, who says:
“Contrary to popular opinion, leadership is not a reserved position for a particular group of people who were elected or appointed, ordained or enthroned. Leadership is self-made, self-retained, self-inculcated and then exposed through a faithful, sincere and exemplary life.”
Now is the time to dive into a self-made, self-retained and self-inculcated form of leadership in our homes and in our communities. We need to be the example.
Truthbomb #7
Love wins. Always.
This may not feel like the truth right now. It may feel like hate and fear have won. But deep down we need need need to believe that love wins.
After all, the opposite has proven true. There are no historical examples that contradict Buddha and Martin Luther King’s wise words:“Hatred does not cease by hatred, but only by love; this is the eternal rule.” and “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
Truthbomb #8
Hope is the last thing ever lost. ~ Italian Proverb
I watched the elections until midnight (EST) last Tuesday. The map had turned red. Trump had taken most of the battleground states. The commentators were looking for paths Clinton could take to win, but were running out of possibilities. Everyone was entering a state of shock.
It was at this point that I popped my melatonin attempting to force myself into sleep. But even as I restlessly lay in bed sort-of knowing what would happen, I held onto hope. I was still hopeful that I’d wake up into a sane world.
Sadly, this was not meant to be.
But I held on, even after learning of Trump’s victory. And I truly believe that my post-election news-addiction/ compulsive disorder, drawing me to the news 24/7 was a desperate search for something hopeful to read.
Where was that news piece explaining it all to me?
Maybe it was a mistake? Maybe he couldn’t do as much harm as he’d promised he’d do? Maybe he’ll be impeached? Maybe he is a decent guy (like, really deep down)?
Hope.
Image courtesy of Unsplash.
Originally published at medium.com