Dear Friends,
I
am a life-long Democrat and a devoted supported of Hillary Clinton, and, like
many of us, I have feelings of astonishment, disappointment, and fear because
of the results of the election. I don't deny those feelings or try to hide
them. I totally accept them, because they are there, and they are mine, and
they hurt.
However,
I refuse to bow down to these feelings and thoughts, to give-in to them, to
surrender to them, to let them lead me here and there like a slave. They are
real feelings, but they are not my masters.
So,
I'm letting those despondent feelings pass through and out of my mind, as they surely
will in the next few weeks and months, while I deliberately choose to pay more
attention to thoughts that can be truly useful to me and give me some genuine
power. After all, it is my choice. Every moment, I can choose which thoughts I
will give my attention to, and I prefer choosing thoughts like these:
1)
This election has brought to light vast amounts of previously hidden
discrimination, hostility, utter hopelessness, and downright hatred. I say "Good!", for now, working
together hand-in-hand, we can see them and treat them and work toward healing
them.
2)
Something around 120 million people voted yesterday, and I say, "Good!",
because it helps me remember that I am part of a vast group, on both sides, of
mostly (and I do believe this) sensitive, well-meaning people, many of them
parents and grandparents of children whom they are devoted to and worried about
-- people determined to make this an even better country than it already
is. I refuse to be a slave to the
belief that all Trump supporters are somehow deluded or misinformed or thuggish.
I prefer to see them as concerned human beings who, like all of us, want a
safe, productive life. Yes, I
believe America is already great, but I'm with Trump supporters if they mean we
can always make it greater.
3) This election has finally uncovered the
hopeless ineffectiveness of our current political system, and I say "Good!",
for now we can join together to clearly see its ineptitude, take it apart,
examine it, and slowly put it back together in a workable form.
Will
I be sometimes fearful in the coming months, sometimes despondent, sometimes
angry and bitter? Will I continue to find Donald Trump absolutely frightening? Yes,
very probably -- but I hope I will refuse to kneel and worship those thoughts.
Instead, I will recognize them, say hello to them, let them pass through and go
their way -- and then I will make
a conscious choice and turn to more helpful and uplifting thoughts about
yesterday, thoughts that can give me less futile bitterness and more useful, enduring
power to make a difference as we all go forward together.
* * * * *
FROM CAT:Beautiful Ham! I had very similar thoughts yesterday, and decided that in keeping with the serenity prayer, the "things i can change" are my attitude and my response to this situation. So I resolved to spend my energy not in cultivating more fear, but in prayer for our new president, that he may be guided to begin the process of building respect and connection amongst all of us. I've had enough drama in my life to last me ten more lifetimes, so I'm no longer interested in the political dramas around this campaign and election. What interests me is how we connect with each other.
Love & hugs,
xoxo
* * * * *
FROM ALBIE Jr.:
Last night, in late-night bleary-eyed frustration, I posted a few choice words aimed at Donald Trump's misguided charade. I regret that post because I didn't finish my thoughts. So I'll finish by saying this. One of the greatest things about our democracy is that no one man or woman can ruin it. I'm an American first, a father and husband second, a location scout third, and a Democrat fourth (although I hesitate to call myself a Democrat; I'm more of a progressive, if you need to label me). I don't pick my friends based on their party affiliation or who they voted for in the last election. I have neighbors who are dyed-in-the-wool Republicans and I never hesitate to ask them for a favor and they never hesitate to oblige. I like to talk with people of all stripes. I want to hear what they're thinking over the fence. We are stronger together. I'll never abandon America. I'm not moving to Canada. For as long as I'm able I'll give Trump the benefit of the doubt. I owe at least that to my country. I wish Trump and his cabinet the best of health, judgement, and rational thinking such a group can muster. For the sake of our country. For the sake of the free world. For the sake of our children. As for what I'll tell my six year old daughter, well, some men have sour twisted little hearts. You'll know them by how they treat women. Such men should be avoided like poison ivy. Give them a wide berth. Move on to better things. In four years there will be another election and if Trump isn't the agent of change he claims to be, we will kick him to the curb and move on to better thinGs.
* * * * *
FROM ALEXANDRA KNAPP BISHOP (former student):
To my Friends:
I am sorry about this election. I am sorry that I closed my eyes and kept myself in a bubble. Here’s what I plan to do in the future: I will stand up for you. If you are a minority in any way, I will stand up and represent. I will not stand by and I will not be passive. If you are Jewish, a Muslim or another misunderstood religion, I will stand up. If you are an immigrant, a Mexican, a Latino, an African, an Asian or otherwise, I will stand up for you. If you are black, Asian, Hispanic, or considered “non-white”, I will stand up for you. If you are LGBTQ, I will stand up. If you are a woman being harassed, deprived of your right to choose or your right to an equal wage, I will stand up for you.
I will not stand by and let us regress back to the values and practices of the 1950’s and I will fight the fight against fear and hate. I will read more widely so that I understand better the concerns of all the groups in our country. And when I feel my anger flare and the bitter taste of hate fill my mouth, I will remember Barak Obama and his dignity in recognizing all people and points of view. I will remember his acceptance and interest in those who are different from him.
I will stand up so that we can maintain our forward momentum. I will stand up so that hate, discrimination and fear do not win. I wish I could do more, but I will do this.
I value you all for your differences and for the richness your diversity has imparted to my life. And I am grateful. Thank you.
Love,
Alex
I am sorry about this election. I am sorry that I closed my eyes and kept myself in a bubble. Here’s what I plan to do in the future: I will stand up for you. If you are a minority in any way, I will stand up and represent. I will not stand by and I will not be passive. If you are Jewish, a Muslim or another misunderstood religion, I will stand up. If you are an immigrant, a Mexican, a Latino, an African, an Asian or otherwise, I will stand up for you. If you are black, Asian, Hispanic, or considered “non-white”, I will stand up for you. If you are LGBTQ, I will stand up. If you are a woman being harassed, deprived of your right to choose or your right to an equal wage, I will stand up for you.
I will not stand by and let us regress back to the values and practices of the 1950’s and I will fight the fight against fear and hate. I will read more widely so that I understand better the concerns of all the groups in our country. And when I feel my anger flare and the bitter taste of hate fill my mouth, I will remember Barak Obama and his dignity in recognizing all people and points of view. I will remember his acceptance and interest in those who are different from him.
I will stand up so that we can maintain our forward momentum. I will stand up so that hate, discrimination and fear do not win. I wish I could do more, but I will do this.
I value you all for your differences and for the richness your diversity has imparted to my life. And I am grateful. Thank you.
Love,
Alex
* * * * *
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