So, today is the day some of us have been waiting for, and some of us have been dreading.
In just a few minutes from now, the 45th president will once again be president.
If you have been a regular reader of this blog, I'm sure you already know which side of the political fence I'm standing on.
Once the late hours of November 5th revealed the identity of #47, like many of you, the quality of my energy plummeted, and I was afraid, imagining fearful scenarios -- Project 2025, etc.
Prior to the election, at my church, Unity Center Of Pittsburgh, there was a guest speaker one Sunday, who delivered a message that kind of rubbed me the wrong way. It was all about no matter who we may vote for, our job is to love one another. Jesus told me the same thing when He talked to me one time -- details here.
Nonetheless, the message rubbed me the wrong way. As a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, how am I supposed to love someone who voted for someone who does not wish us well? I sent the church an email telling them how I felt, just as I had when I'd enjoyed and agreed with a few messages especially much. One of the church's service leaders contacted me and we discussed the matter, and out of that and a few other discussions we have had, I have come to the conclusion that my default reactions to the election of Donald Trump -- low grade panic, fear, anxiety, and some partisan words and anger based on those feelings, are pointless. Talking with Rev. Patti, and listening to Neville Goddard, Earl Nightingale, and Joseph Murphy (listening to the last three have become pretty much a daily event -- many of these gentlemen's lectures are on YouTube and elsewhere, and I highly recommend them) have made me realize that my default reactions and accompanying words and deeds do not foster understanding or the coming together that this country needs, but indeed only compound and continue the problems of our misunderstanding. So I have decided to take a new tack.
Rev. Patti encouraged me to pray, meditate, trust The Universe, and walk in love, all of which are challenges for me. But, a contentious holiday season, a misadventure trying to help a homeless woman, and a New Year's week which featured the death of my refrigerator, an under-the-weather cat, a furnace that refused to kick on, and a dead car battery (total cost, including lost groceries, $1500 😡), I was stressed to the max, with cortisol levels in the stratosphere, so I decided to learn, and learn quickly.
I am still learning, and no doubt will be for the rest of my life. I am the descendant of fighters with names like Charlemagne, William The Conqueror, Somerled, Robert The Bruce, and Brian Boru, so fighting is literally in my DNA. But so is surviving, and I cannot survive perpetually angry and anxious. None of us can. The US cannot.
People, we are all in this together.
There are people we perceive to be on the other side, with different philosophies than ours. Can we love them anyway? If we can't, can we listen, and try to understand, can we try to construct a bridge in their direction? Can we hear the fears and concerns that are behind the masks of prejudice and hate? Can we at least try? Can we find things we agree on and work on those together? We've got to do something different, because what we're doin' ain't workin'.
Let us identify what we want our country to be, and let us dwell on that vision, and no other. Let us meditate upon that vision every day; I believe that will be most effective.
Perhaps meditating upon this, written by my NextDoor neighbor, Eric Miskovitch, would work?:
I Have A Dream, Too
I have a dream, too, that, here in Pittsburgh, said vision will take root. Indeed, it already has. That, from this city, a movement will rise, one that carries a message of unity, peace and compassion to every corner of the globe. That, here We will build the foundation for a world that sees no more division, no more hatred, no more fear. I dream of a world where every person, no matter their background, knows the warmth of acceptance and the dignity of being truly seen and heard.
I have a dream, too, that every woman will have the right to make decisions about her body, her health, her future -- freely, safely and with dignity. That excellent healthcare will be a universal right, not a privilege, provided without cost to everyone. I dream of a society that cares for each and every one of its people, where healthcare is not a burden but a gift, a shared commitment to the well-being of us all.
I have a dream, too, that We will be guided by a Collective Consciousness, that higher awareness of love and compassion that transcends our individual interests. I dream that We will awaken to the Oneness of all life, letting Our collective wisdom shape Our future, heal Our divisions, and guide Us forward.
I have a dream, too, that gun violence will be a thing of the past, that no child will fear going to school, that peace will be as natural as breathing, and kindness will be the legacy We leave to future generations. I dream that corporate greed will be replaced by corporate generosity, that profits will serve Our purpose, and that abundance will be shared so that no one anywhere is left in need. I dream, as did Our Founding Fathers, of a government by the people and for the people.
And I have a dream, too, that work will be a source of joy, not a burden. That each person will be free to follow their passion, to contribute in ways that lift their spirit and fulfill their purpose, so that no one need suffer for survival.
Here in Pittsburgh today, this vision begins. With love as Our law, with equality as Our bedrock, with compassion as Our compass, we will rise as One people, united. We will build this world together, guided by Our shared consciousness, one step, one dream at a time.
This is the future We will create. All of Us -- together.
Eric Miskovitch
With Eric's kind permission, I send his beautiful work and vision out to you. I hope you'll share -- make it viral!
With my love and highest hopes for us and our country,
Claudia
