It's getting to be that time where things are going to start to get more heated and polarized in the States regarding the upcoming Election Process. Last week the Republican National Convention took place and this week the Democratic National Convention is in progress. And yes, we are still four months away, but really, we are getting into the 7th inning so to speak.
So I wanted to take this time and share some thoughts on how I think we can contribute to a more collectively peaceful process.
So I wanted to take this time and share some thoughts on how I think we can contribute to a more collectively peaceful process.
Earlier this week I was conversation with someone and the topic of politics came up.
She said, " When I see a sign supporting _________________ on someone's lawn, it's the same thing for me as seeing the swastika sign." What a powerful statement and feeling/thinking experience. This really blew me away.
I never thought of it like that.
And I've purposefully left the candidate's name blank, because quite frankly, depending on whom you are speaking to, both or either candidate's names could be inserted in the blank area. And I'm not trying to make a statement about what I believe or what see believes in this post. It is bigger than that.
So, insert whichever name you wish there depending on who you are and your current beliefs for the sake of this blog.
Ok, so I thought about the word swastika and the symbol associated with it. It is a powerful word and a powerful symbol. And for me it brings up a very tragic time in history when millions were tortured and killed simply for being a particular race of people, who at the time where hated by one powerful leader who instilled a lot of fear world-wide and who I think brainwashed many to believe as he did and then execute his orders.
So to associate the swastika with a current political candidate during this election process for me carries a lot of power, fear and hatred. So I wanted to acknowledge that many people may feel as this woman does, this is a reality. It seems so many presidential elections are extremely polarizing and yet this one has its own particular level of polarization on both sides.
And then I remembered about ten years ago, I was in my Unlimited Body training and one of my teachers shared that she actively protesting against Bush Jr. being elected for a second term. She was joining others in picket lines, holding signs. She was very passionate. And as she was sharing this, she started to cry, saying she just couldn't stand it if Bush was re-elected. We all felt her pain and passion. And then, the senior teacher, interrupted her and said, "Why don't you put your energy in a peaceful protest or in supporting the candidate you want to be elected? Why are you spending your time, energy, thoughts sending hate to Bush? Do you realize that you are just adding to the hate that is out there in general, for this election and in the world? Is that where you want to put your energy, into "standing for hate?" She resisted for a while, saying, but we just can't have four more years of his politics, etc., etc., etc. The senior teacher persisted with his line of questioning. Acknowledging the whole time, this is how she was feeling, her feelings are completely valid and real to her, but he pointed out that we needed to also step back and look at the bigger picture. Did it serve anyone, or better yet, whom did it serve for her to protest and stand for hating a particular candidate? I got the feeling, that she felt good and empowered doing this. And again, she had every right to do with her time as she pleased. He then said, what message do you think people are getting from these signs you are holding in your protest? Is it a message of love or of more hate and fear. He was trying to offer a more peaceful, middle of the road way of looking at things. I don't know what she did after that. But what I can tell you, is that it changed the way I looked at that whole situation. I thought, I'm charged up to. not as charged up as this teacher and I certainly didn't have the time or passion to stand and protest, but I really resonated with the idea of not hating "Bush" or whomever, but instead of sending love to the situation. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't easy by any means, but it was the start of me thinking, what is hate getting me in this or any situation? And what if I came from a place of love? Where would that take me?
I liked how I felt more when I thought about coming from a place of love rather than a place of fear and hate.
So as we come back to this election, here again are my thoughts.
1. It is already very charged for some people.
2. As time goes on, the media will create more buzz about this and that topic surrounding the candidates and the election, so more and more people will get more and more charged up.
3. Passion is great. I love passion.
4. What to do with your passion? have calm, peaceful, open and honest conversations with others regarding how you feel about this election. Be open to hearing what others have to say and how they feel. And hopefully, you will also be heard for your thoughts and feelings. I believe people are more important than any one particular viewpoint about something. Campaign for the person you believe in, offer to give rides to those who need them at election time, maybe you will be inspired to become more active in your local government on any level.
5. For me, I will choose to pray. Since the candidate I was most in alignment with is no longer in the running, I pray for the highest good of our nation and the planet to take place with this election. I can obviously pray for a candidate, but I ultimately know it is out of my control. So I choose to pray for peace and for the highest good for all the people on the planet, because I know that the world is watching us and what we do. We are still considered a super power in the global community, but I also know that will not last forever and we need to be good stewards as we move forward.
6. I will pray and send good thoughts to all involved in this process and then I will choose to "LET IT GO."
Let my expectations, wishes, personal biases go, because in the end, this will bring me peace. I have learned that it does not help to hold hate in my heart. So I choose peace.
7. I will hold the intention for peace for this political process and I hold peace for you around this time in our history.
And one more thing, with all the tragic things happening in the world today, I don't think any of us want this election to add any more negativity, fear and hate in the world than is already here at this time. It's time we diffuse hate with love and if that means feeling really challenged to send love to the political process, that is what I will do. There is way too much fear out there. There is sooooooo much love also. Let's focus on that.
And so it is.
She said, " When I see a sign supporting _________________ on someone's lawn, it's the same thing for me as seeing the swastika sign." What a powerful statement and feeling/thinking experience. This really blew me away.
I never thought of it like that.
And I've purposefully left the candidate's name blank, because quite frankly, depending on whom you are speaking to, both or either candidate's names could be inserted in the blank area. And I'm not trying to make a statement about what I believe or what see believes in this post. It is bigger than that.
So, insert whichever name you wish there depending on who you are and your current beliefs for the sake of this blog.
Ok, so I thought about the word swastika and the symbol associated with it. It is a powerful word and a powerful symbol. And for me it brings up a very tragic time in history when millions were tortured and killed simply for being a particular race of people, who at the time where hated by one powerful leader who instilled a lot of fear world-wide and who I think brainwashed many to believe as he did and then execute his orders.
So to associate the swastika with a current political candidate during this election process for me carries a lot of power, fear and hatred. So I wanted to acknowledge that many people may feel as this woman does, this is a reality. It seems so many presidential elections are extremely polarizing and yet this one has its own particular level of polarization on both sides.
And then I remembered about ten years ago, I was in my Unlimited Body training and one of my teachers shared that she actively protesting against Bush Jr. being elected for a second term. She was joining others in picket lines, holding signs. She was very passionate. And as she was sharing this, she started to cry, saying she just couldn't stand it if Bush was re-elected. We all felt her pain and passion. And then, the senior teacher, interrupted her and said, "Why don't you put your energy in a peaceful protest or in supporting the candidate you want to be elected? Why are you spending your time, energy, thoughts sending hate to Bush? Do you realize that you are just adding to the hate that is out there in general, for this election and in the world? Is that where you want to put your energy, into "standing for hate?" She resisted for a while, saying, but we just can't have four more years of his politics, etc., etc., etc. The senior teacher persisted with his line of questioning. Acknowledging the whole time, this is how she was feeling, her feelings are completely valid and real to her, but he pointed out that we needed to also step back and look at the bigger picture. Did it serve anyone, or better yet, whom did it serve for her to protest and stand for hating a particular candidate? I got the feeling, that she felt good and empowered doing this. And again, she had every right to do with her time as she pleased. He then said, what message do you think people are getting from these signs you are holding in your protest? Is it a message of love or of more hate and fear. He was trying to offer a more peaceful, middle of the road way of looking at things. I don't know what she did after that. But what I can tell you, is that it changed the way I looked at that whole situation. I thought, I'm charged up to. not as charged up as this teacher and I certainly didn't have the time or passion to stand and protest, but I really resonated with the idea of not hating "Bush" or whomever, but instead of sending love to the situation. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't easy by any means, but it was the start of me thinking, what is hate getting me in this or any situation? And what if I came from a place of love? Where would that take me?
I liked how I felt more when I thought about coming from a place of love rather than a place of fear and hate.
So as we come back to this election, here again are my thoughts.
1. It is already very charged for some people.
2. As time goes on, the media will create more buzz about this and that topic surrounding the candidates and the election, so more and more people will get more and more charged up.
3. Passion is great. I love passion.
4. What to do with your passion? have calm, peaceful, open and honest conversations with others regarding how you feel about this election. Be open to hearing what others have to say and how they feel. And hopefully, you will also be heard for your thoughts and feelings. I believe people are more important than any one particular viewpoint about something. Campaign for the person you believe in, offer to give rides to those who need them at election time, maybe you will be inspired to become more active in your local government on any level.
5. For me, I will choose to pray. Since the candidate I was most in alignment with is no longer in the running, I pray for the highest good of our nation and the planet to take place with this election. I can obviously pray for a candidate, but I ultimately know it is out of my control. So I choose to pray for peace and for the highest good for all the people on the planet, because I know that the world is watching us and what we do. We are still considered a super power in the global community, but I also know that will not last forever and we need to be good stewards as we move forward.
6. I will pray and send good thoughts to all involved in this process and then I will choose to "LET IT GO."
Let my expectations, wishes, personal biases go, because in the end, this will bring me peace. I have learned that it does not help to hold hate in my heart. So I choose peace.
7. I will hold the intention for peace for this political process and I hold peace for you around this time in our history.
And one more thing, with all the tragic things happening in the world today, I don't think any of us want this election to add any more negativity, fear and hate in the world than is already here at this time. It's time we diffuse hate with love and if that means feeling really challenged to send love to the political process, that is what I will do. There is way too much fear out there. There is sooooooo much love also. Let's focus on that.
And so it is.
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