What Do We Do Now?

This was a devastating week for many of us, even as many are rejoicing and celebrating. We are grieving. We are scared. We are angry. We are confused. I don’t understand the choice made by the majority of American voters and I fear that many will come to regret their choice. I am glad that we are not facing a violent civil war which was threatened if the radical right lost again. It is noteworthy that there is no violence, no denying or challenging election results, no temper tantrum over not getting our way. We are adults who accept that the people have spoken.

I am asking “what now?” I turned to music for comfort and inspiration and want to share some encouraging healing lyrics with you.

“Ever worry that it might be ruined
And does it make you wanna cry?
When you're out there doing what you're doing
Are you just getting by?
Tell me, are you just getting by, by, by?

Where there is desire, there is gonna be a flame
Where there is a flame, someone's bound to get burned
But just because it burns doesn't mean you're gonna die
You've gotta get up and try, try, try” [Try by Pink]

I am looking for the sparks of hope that my husband Tracy sings about in his song Looking Up Ahead.

Dolly Parton wrote a song that seems appropriate to share this week and you can listen to it here.

Dolly asks the following questions:

“can we rise above?
Can't we show some love?
Do we just give up
Or make a change?”

Will we choose to give up? Will we decide to stay angry, sad and anxious for the next four years? Will we live in hatred and demonize others? Or will we choose love for all humanity and continue fighting for a better world.

"Do not allow your anxiety about the world to fill your heart. If your heart is filled with anxiety, you will get sick, and then you will not be able to help." - Thich Nhat Hanh

"I wish I could show you when you are lonely or in darkness the astonishing light of your own being." - Hafiz

Let’s get up each day and “try” our best to “rise above”, to “feel the hope”, to shine a light in the darkness, to “show some love” and “make a change.” We are not alone and we can do this together. Shine on, dear friends. And remember you are loved and you are enough.