America’s present need is not heroics but healing; not nostrums but normalcy; not revolution but restoration.
~ Warren G. Harding
Have you been feeling the weight of today’s political climate? Ya, me too. A dense, sometimes dark, and heavy energy (also known as Fear) envelops many of us, and we try to avoid dealing with it—or lack the knowledge of how to handle it. The Body Politic is morphing. Many of us want to see something different, but we can’t yet discern what that is. It’s like we’re all trying to dance in a thunderstorm without getting wet. Most people want to be “politically correct” and not offend others—and yet, just look at social media or the News; it is totally offensive. People with opposing views are chastised, shamed, discounted, made wrong and then banished from their own tribe. It seems everyone has an opinion that rubs up against someone else—and not always is a feel-good way. The polarization of the political landscape has not only divided this country, but many families as well. But guess what? If we are willing, there’s a way for us to transcend much of this anxiety and find a bit of peace amidst the chaos.
Anger, which is Fear in one of its scariest disguises, often paralyzes us, causing rational people to act without reason. The media can sometimes amplify this fear, turning political anger and uncertainty into a monster that looms over our daily lives. But we can transcend the kerfuffle. What if we start seeing politics not as an enemy, but as an opportunity for growth through finding our authentic voice?; a voice that honors our personal self-expression in a way that doesn’t make “the other” wrong?
Henry David Thoreau wrote, “most men lead lives of quiet desperation and go to the grave with the song still in them.” This speaks to the unexpressed self, the part of us yearning to be heard and seen. Right now, we’re at a crossroads, a moment of choice. We can let fear silence our song, or we can muster the courage to sing it loud and clear in a nonviolent and proactive way. Sure, stepping into the unknown is daunting—fear of rejection, failure, even success, can be overwhelming.
To transcend the anxiety surrounding the political climate, we must first become mindful observers of our inner dialogue. Are our stories keeping us small, making us feel like powerless victims?
If so, it’s time to flip the script. Take a deep breath and envision a positive outcome for the elections because we, people just like you and me, choose to stand and be heard. This shift in perspective can be liberating and empowering.
Let’s practice kindness and compassion, not just towards others but towards ourselves. Clearly, the old political paradigm is consuming itself as it slowly withers and dies. As David Whyte puts it, how can we surround that which is dying with love? Whether it’s the old ways of thinking or the outdated political system, let’s approach this transition with grace. Instead of adding to the collective pain through anger and resentment, let’s channel our energy into constructive actions.
We can begin by remembering there is only One of us here, that we’re all part of a greater Whole. We’re swimming in the ocean of life, and every wave, no matter how turbulent, is a part of our spiritual journey. Take a deep breath, let go, trust, and float with the waves. So, while the political storm rages on, let’s not forget our power to choose peace over fear, compassion over anger, and mindfulness over mindlessness. Together, we can transcend the anxiety and, as Thoreau infers, find our song again and sing it for all its worth.
