Crying and Crowing with Wisdom

Snow on Flowers

     The election results shocked many of us.  For the people who got the results they desired they are crowing while those who didn’t are crying.  Our world is filled with joy and pain.

     Change is never easy.  Its arrival awakens suffering in us especially when the change we want doesn’t materialize, and the change we don’t wants arrives anyway.  Such suffering is the human condition. 

Beautiful Together

     What matters now is deciding how we can contribute to creating a positive energy that avoids putting each other into “us” and “them” camps.  The campaigns set out to put us asunder; they highlighted our seeming differences and alien statuses.
     Moving beyond such arbitrary and illusory difference is especially important now, so that we can repair and heal the hurt we are all feeling.  At this crossroads of change, each and every one of us can be a pivotal force for positive change.

     To lessen the aggression and hate, we need to bring our attention back to ourselves and check in there first.  How much aggression is in our thoughts, speech and action? How much are we contributing to the poison percolating throughout society and the media?   As we can only control ourselves, this is our place of personal power. 

     The task before us is to be with our pain and act in ways that will bridge the divide by being generous, calm, open minded, and especially skillful in our interactions with ourselves and others.  When interacting with particularly those people we believe to be different, we can choose to truly listen, put aside our views, not assume their motive, and remain hopeful. 

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     If we choose civility in our everyday interactions then we’ll be acting a core principle of citizenry.  Treating each other with respect, in the way we’d like to be treated is the basis for civilized society.  After all, no one, not one single being wants to suffer; all strive for happiness, just as we do.

    We are powerful.  Something as little as a smile can bring change.  If each of us practices a little bit of tolerance, understanding and patience, together we’ll create nationwide and ultimately worldwide change.  We live in one country, on one planet.  

     Whether we choose to acknowledge it or not, all beings are connected to each other through the environment, politics, biology, and spirit.  It is in our own interest and the greater good that we make the effort to reach out to each other in this difficult time.

     The difference between a world filled with hate, divisiveness, anger and hatred, and one filled with hope, open mindedness, kindness and peace lies with each and every one of us.

    May you be filled with peace.