November is here. Many of us, maybe all of us, have been waiting for November with bated breath. The presidential election, Issue 1, the senate race — remember to Vote. The democratic process is part of our expression of faith. Election Day is the last day to vote.
These races have major implications in our daily lives. At the time of writing this, we are still days away, and the outcomes are far from being clear. [although I try to develop prophetic voice, mainly social justice advocacy and being an accomplice in justice work — future telling prophecy is well out of my reach…But I’ll offer you this, if I ever get a prophetic future vision, I’ll start with lotto numbers…there will be signs 😉 ]
With our communities in the state of where they are, I know that there will be mourning either way. Grief will hit all of us, even if it is just the impact of change. It is important to feel this grief, to know that all change can bring grief and to remember self-care and care of others:
Take care of yourself. Exercise regularly, eat healthy food and get enough sleep …
Talk with caring friends, name the joys and sorrows …
Try not to make any major changes right away …
Be patient with yourself …
If you pray, pray; if you meditate, meditate — try to center in your values and in stillness …
Be patient with others …
Presence in Nature — amongst the trees and grasses …
Laugh, Cry, feel the feels …
Hydrate, Breathe and Connect
As election day turns toward Thanksgiving — let’s remember to cultivate gratitude and to offer grace. Let us lean upon our values and principles to guide our actions and endeavors. I leave you with the words of Rev. Forrest Church:
“…Love when you can. Do the work that is yours to do. Be the person that is yours to be at any given time. Think to wish for what is yours at this very moment. To love. To serve. To touch. To know. Think to wish for all that is yours to have. Think to wish for all that is yours to do. And think to wish that you might be who it is that you might most fully be. Avoid wishful thinking. Avoid the traps and pitfalls of nostalgia for the past. Savor every moment as it passes. And enlist yourself in saving that which can be saved this very moment, in order that it, too, may endure for others to enjoy.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Rev. Will