A perk of my job is that my "students" now are teachers as I work with, mentor, support, train, etc. teachers across a wide swath of my state. My Civics teachers are not okay right now. It's not like them to give up. (Maybe "give up" is the wrong word - more "resigned themselves to the current situation") but I completely understand and feel too the trauma of the last 10 years.
10 Years. Since he came down that elevator and announced his run for the presidency. It feels so much longer.
I wanted to create this thread not for discussion of the bad - we have enough of that in other threads. But if we're going to work to manifest the light we've seen and ensure it takes place, let's use THIS thread to instead, talk about what we can do, proactively, to shine the light. We'll start with the election but if popular and used enough, we can maybe tackle other things after it's over.
I will start. While I know echo chambers are bad, I've been snoozing, hiding, and unfollowing the folks who are posting the most pro-TFG stuff out there. What I've noticed in the absence of many of those is a category of person who appears to have written off voting and this election entirely.
Many of them for me are former students. I've been reaching out to them one by one - not even to say "vote this way" but to remind them about some of the things we talked about when we studied the Constitution together when they were in 8th grade. Does this proposal sound like it's in line with what the founders wanted? The conversations end with "make sure you vote this Fall."
A couple of them have asked me about Biden's age. I get it. I remind them this was a factor for our founding fathers as well - they didn't live nearly as long as we did and healthcare was nearly non-existent. And I remind them that the Constitution has a very clear set of instructions on what should happen. It will be a sad day for our country if it happens, but there's someone waiting to pick up from there.
These conversations are small. I've only had a handful of them. I'll probably get braver and reach out more the further into the summer we go. But I'm having them. If everyone has some with a small handful of people imagine what the voting numbers would be this year!
And then more proactively - my postcards arrived from Postcards to Swing States. While I'm going to honor this obligation I made, you might also look into groups from your state specifically because I don't like the 3 messages I have to choose from writing on these post cards. They're not bad or detrimental, but I found a group in Michigan called Distill Social that is putting better messages out than "make sure you vote this November!" - I'll probably add a little extra spice to mine when I start. But - this will reach voters all across swing states and will make me feel a little better than wringing my hands in despair.
Every time the fear grips me I'm going to write another stack of the postcards!
@dannyboy I love this thread! Thank you for starting it. As you mentioned, there is plenty of discussion of the bad and our concerns and fears on other threads (which is necessary and natural), but it is great to have a place where we can continue to refocus on the light and our actions as things unfold.
I love that you are talking with your former students/current Civics teachers and planting ideas of hope and seeds of how we can contribute to change. Every little bit counts!
@chromosomexy might pop in here and repost or add...you have had some great things to say about Ground and Center! Really important stuff right now.
I am currently in the "keep my own head on straight" mode by staying focused on my little corner of life, family, work, art. Trying to keep a level head so that I can share or refute or support as-needed among friends and family both in-person and online. Staying grounded in my daily life and working on ways to focus on joy and light whenever I can is crucial. This works for me. I realize this works for me right now and so I share in case it resonates with someone else. Others will find inspiration in reaching out as you and others have described, with postcards and other political support.
Do what works for you in this moment, recenter as often as needed, and let's get through this turmoil one step at a time, together.
I love this topic. Thank you for creating it. I think we are so overcome with the brazenness of what is going on that it has struck fear into so many people. It did with me at first too, to the point where I was looking for everything online that I could find to show that Trump is going to lose in November. But now I'm at the point where I want to turn that fear into action. I've been writing postcards and I have gotten a few other friends to order postcards from The Postcards to Swing States program. My feeling is, that in this election it is up to us to do something, not simply sit at home and be afraid. It doesn't matter what it is, as long as each of us is stepping up in some way to reclaim our power, we can move the needle of the universe in the direction of where we want to go and tell the universe we are done with this authoritarian regime that is trying to take over. The universe is always listening. It listens to our thoughts and to our emotions and to our words. It confirms for us what we believe, by creating the world we see. We can also lessen the craziness by grounding and centering regularly.
@kateinpdx had this in a different thread that I’m bringing over here as well because - ways to help us manifest that light :-).
Thank you for sharing your ways for coping with and building the light with us!
Thank you all for your posts! I get a lot out of this forum and have since 2017. Thank you @jeanne-mayell!
@chromosomexy THANK YOU for your post! It reminded me to drop down and re-center. And shift my focus to what it is I want, not what I don't want.
I've had a few experiences over the last few weeks I'd like to share (this is long but hopefully helpful)
First, here is some information I've been getting from my Akashic records over the last couple of months. Though these are personal messages, I feel compelled to share them because I think you might find value in them, too.
My Akashic records keep telling me to PRACTICE faith. Not have faith, but practice it. They tell me it is a discipline as much as a feeling. That it is imperative to guard my energy and focus right now. That they need me to stay focused on what makes me feel good and what I want. That will help bring more light into the world.
They told me to be patient because they (the GOP and the like) are burning themselves out. It will take time, but we will be okay.
Here is what they said to me, specifically about choosing to feel good: "It is always valuable to be happy and be free...There is no mountain high enough that you cannot climb by being happy from time to time, and it is always there for you...It's a secret weapon/power to balm your soul, especially in times like this that, we admit, are very trying to you." (Pardon the clunky grammar; my readings can be like that).
Please know that I am no pollyanna, and neither are my Akashic records. But I also know that when I'm gripped with fear about what's happening politically and in the world, I'm unable to take the positive actions I need to help create the world I want.
My records are very clear and firm with me right now how urgent it is to be disciplined with my focus and attention. That "they" really are out to take our energy and sow fear, so we must be vigilant. They also told me to be an example of peace, freedom, and kindness. That that keeps a light on the path for people to see and follow.
I think it behooves us all to shift our attention and emotions away from what we don't want and toward what we do want. If it feels hard to shift the energy away, then distract yourself with something unrelated, like a funny movie, a walk in nature, your pets, kids, etc.
We literally need to stop feeding the beast! When we stay in fear and push against what we don't want, we get more of it. And we get more of what we look for. So look for things in the world that you want more of.
We all know this of course, but I sure needed the reminder!
Okay, so the next thing.
I realized I have likely had cords connecting me with DT, along with learning things the hard way, fear, turmoil, etc. So I decided to cut cords with him and his lackeys, as well as learning things the hard way. I did this on July 12th. It helped me feel very calm through what happened on the 13th.
I'm going to cut the cords again, with him, his lackeys, cultural fears, etc.
I recommend you do it too if you feel called to, it helps!
About two weeks ago, I was doing a ho'oponopono prayer for the world, DT, and SCOTUS since I want to heal any parts of myself that are reflected in the outer world. It was really interesting what I saw when I did this prayer!
I saw DT turn and wink at me! Without malice or perviness, just a playful wink. Then I saw the members of SCOTUS take off their robes (they were dressed in casual clothes underneath), then walk to the front of a stage and take a bow! The feeling I got was one of playfulness and fun. I was very surprised to get this! (That's probably how it looks from the spiritual perspective, I sure wish it felt that way from the human perspective!)
So, here are some actions I'm taking to support our democracy and a better world: I have done postcards and will again. I'm sharing about Project 2025 so people know about it (in person and on social media). I will be going door-to-door to get out the vote. And I'm also exercising discipline with my focus and energy.
On a related note, back in 2015, I made a New Year's resolution to try to make someone's day every day. That could be as simple as saying a kind word to a stranger, listening to someone deeply, paying for their coffee without them knowing, making my grocery store clerk laugh, etc. (At the time, I was a massage therapist too, so I figure that counted, lol!).
I did this because it felt too big for me to try to change the whole dang world! But I knew I could do little things with the intention of brightening someone's day. Plus, I feel really good when I do it!
Since it's free, easy, and feels good, I figured others might also like to play this game. So, in August, I'm going to start this as a game that others can join. I'll be sharing it with my friends and family and on my social media. I'll send them email reminders and inspiration to everyone who joins and share what people are learning and experiencing. I feel good whenever I think about this!
This was a long post. Thank you if you read the whole thing!
I read the forum a lot but don't post often because it's usually right before bed when I'm sleepy. So this is to make up for that, lol!
Hi @kammermuller, I think that may have been from my post.
People have different ways of cutting karmic ties or energetic cords. One way that I do it is to get quiet for a few minutes and clear my head. Then I ask if there are any energetic cords coming from or going to anyone. I usually feel something in my body and/or in my mind's eye I see a cord or rope. Then I cut it (in my mind's eye) with a sword, a knife or large scissors.
I also ask if there are any contracts we made; if so, I end those contracts and, in my mind's eye, write Null and Void on it and give it back to them.
I hope that makes sense. There's no right or wrong with this, but I know it works!
@kateinpdx thank you so much for this! And I am sorry I misinterpreted where the post came from🙂. I will put your example into practice. ❤️
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Share share share share share share share
https://youtu.be/ZSM7LJgKXAo?si=0v2UPorE-0YOBQT-
Share share share share share share share
Heather Cox Richardson talking about Project 2025/Agenda47
(Agenda??? I'm not sure I got that correct but the 47 thing IS Project 2025.
The journey of a thousand postcards starts with…well, 10 but I started my postcards today and took a picture (blurring out the address on one) and posted it on Instagram and got two more people to sign up. Postcards for Swing States is temporarily paused because of high demand (a good sign) but it was recommended looking at these others:
Michigan Only I believe: Distill Social’s “Turning 2022 Ballot signers into 2024 Pro-Choice Voters” postcard campaign: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfvi3h3xaBi_P4CtqbUHWyUxzrv-uMu8AgAGvrDDRMDx3tW-A/viewform
From my fellow good trouble makers on Twitter:
Vote Forward: https://votefwd.org
Activate America: https://www.activateamerica.vote
I have my stack from Postcards for Swing States and will be signing up with most of the rest of these. My goal is to do 10-20 a day to get to 1,000 total by the recommended mailing dates. I don’t even care what my stamp bill for this is going to be - it feels really good to be ACTIVE and doing something.
I will also add my favorite of the fellow “Good Troublemakers” I follow on Twitter is African American and works very hard at getting African Americans in particular out to vote. I absolutely adore her and you should see everyone’s reaction to Biden’s clip from the NAACP speech today: “I know what a black job is. It’s the Vice President of the United States.” Dark Brandon is back.
this song has been playing on the radio in my head all day long. It was written by Bruce Cockburn, during the AIDS crisis (and the general crisis of the Reagan years), but feels just as relevant today, what with the upcoming election and all:
Coming up soon: National Poll Worker Registration day https://www.eac.gov/help-america-vote
Another way for us to stay involved in the struggle!
When I'm happy, I find myself whistling Christmas tunes. For no apparent reason, I found myself whistling a Christmas song today while pouring myself a cup of coffee (which is always a reason to smile and be happy in my house). So if you're feeling worried or unhappy, you can try to trick your brain into shifting gears by thinking about something from a time when you were happy. Or just get in the habit of whistling, humming, drumming or singing holiday music to yourself like I do. Your mind will make the leap on its own and shift your energy for you.
We’re living through a time of great uncertainty as a country and as a species.
When I experience this on a personal level, I always check in with myself on the four pillars:
1. Sleep: Have I consistently been getting a regular amount of sleep?
2. Hydration: Am I drinking enough fluids during the day? Especially ones high in electrolytes when it’s hot and humid out
3. Diet: Am I eating healthy meals? Am I making sure I’m drinking alcohol and eating refined sugar only in moderation? From my experience, these have a very distorting effect on our bodies, particularly on our emotions
4. Exercise: Am I moving my body? Am I getting exercise consistently, even if it’s 10 minutes a day? Every bit of exercise helps. It’s fundamental to all the other pillars
Finally, a longtime teacher of mine has always said, “When you heal yourself, you heal the world.” We all have a role to play in healing this dear world we live in. But the world heals us, too, when we work with it. From this exchange, we can gain purpose and meaning and better ride the waves of uncertainty when they’re particularly strong, like now.
@dannyboy My MIL passed away earlier this year. In her honor, when I registered to vote in my new state, I volunteered to work the polls. I feel like if we all show up in person to vote in this election, that will make a statement that we will not be cowered by fear.
I have been working the polls for a few years now in my very R county, ummm, state.
During primaries, I often wonder how younger people choose to be a Republican. What shapes their thinking? I find the whole process of working the polls a long and fulfilling day!