I feel like I just emerged from the depths yesterday, still processing, but am now back in the fresh air, breathing, present. It was as if on November 6, a part of myself went away, dove somewhere deep below the surface. I could not post about it until now. Two days ago, I nearly lost whole sections of this forum, and when I was able to retrieve them, that lost part of me was revived. I came up from the depths to the water's surface and am back!
The election result was unprecedented and traumatic on many levels. I know I'm not alone in having to need space to process it. There is still so much to process, but at least now I can share how I'm navigating it with you, and invite you to share with us how you are navigating this new reality.
In short, I'm opening this thread to get real about how the election affected us and how we can guide each other forward.
Right after the election, @Dannyboy, bless him, started the Path Forward thread to get us moving. It's as if many of us had been struck down, and he came into the room spraying cold water on our faces, and said, "Everyone, get up!, Get moving! Come on! Let's talk about how we are going to handle this!"
And some of us did that. And it was good. But the election was such a blow that even when I got moving, a part of me was still submerged.
Then I opened up the "Do Something!" thread. Because we are stronger and happier when we take positive actions. But many of us are exhausted from years dealing with this new reality, and we don't even want to read the news any more. I believe people will still find positive actions to hold our democracy together. I wrote some letters, and was happy to see that Biden now plans to declare some sacred lands national monuments, which had been one topic I'd written to him about. The one where he actually sent back a reply. So taking action is good.
But I bet that many of you are still reeling and processing in some way. Avoiding the news. Finding activities that bring you peace.
Yesterday, I reopened the Post Election thread so people could continue talking about the post election issues. I apologize for closing it, but I got so much feedback that many people couldn't handle it.
Now I realize that people need to be wherever they are. And if someone doesn't want to read about national politics, then they can avoid that thread.
That is where I am at. Where are you at?
How are you doing? How are you coping? How are you taking care of yourself?
@journeywithme2 @tgraf66 @bluebelle @deetoo @lovendures @seaholly @baba @anya @tesseract @lynn @unk-p @dannyboy @allyn @tara @theungamer @lowtide @Isabelle @ghandigirl
@baba shared this article with me this morning and I so want you all to see it too. It's about coping with anxiety in the best possible way. Oprah's personal coach, Martha Beck, talks about some of the things that melts her anxiety away, especially doing anything creative. In addition to my Circle of Light loving kindness meditation that gives me peace, I also love doing something creative, be it writing, painting, playing the piano, even doing jigsaw puzzles.
Would love to know what any of you find helps with anxiety.
@journeywithme2 @tgraf66 @bluebelle @deetoo @lovendures @seaholly@baba @anya @tesseract @lynn @unk-p @dannyboy @allyn @theungamer @lowtide @Isabelle @ghandigirl
@jeanne-mayell Jeanne, I'm so glad you're feeling better, and that you were able to recover the lost portions of the forum that disappeared. Sometimes when we're feeling low and then something urgent happens that resolves itself, it reminds us that things aren't so bad. It kind of reboots our spirit. You are so loved and valued for what you've created and the home you've given here us that it breaks my heart that you were feeling low for so long. Please know how much we value and appreciate everything you do.
I will post about the way I'm handling things in a day or so, but for now, please Google "Karen Pence snub." You should get a link to video of her (she's Pence's wife) refusing to acknowledge Mango at Carter's funeral today. She not only snubbed him, she vibed him like a boss. Karen Pence is all decent people today. Hilarious. Moments like these are helping me cope, lol.
I'm easing myself back into a bit of yoga and sound healing.
I am also giving myself permission to do much less and not spring into action during winter. I can't do it due to body fatigue, as well as residual emotional fatigue due to personal issues. I'm also trying to allow myself to be lazy and rest for the last few days of reasonable democracy.
I am also giving to charity. Just a bit.
@jeanne-mayell Love this thread, Jeanne. How am I coping? I am trying to practice yoga and then walk every morning. Being outside everyday is possible here and walking through the trees, breathing fresh air, visiting with friends on my walk-all these things help me feel centered. In my arts community, I’ve noticed more artists coming to our regular weekly painting and sketching sessions. Artists who haven’t been around for a while are now coming back into community to work on creativity and we all benefit from that.
While I am watching bits of the news about Carter’s funeral and a lot of news about the fires in L.A., I am not watching national political news on networks or cable. I read the news and know what’s going on, but find that I get upset watching it on TV. Mostly, I feel peaceful every day, but have some anxiety about our unknown future. When I meditate, I just have a feeling of calm. Guess you would say I’m muddling through.
Each of us have our own personal tribes of like minded people and we are gathering together and supporting one another. That’s how we are going to get through this-by nurturing and strengthening our local communities. And this website is another community of like-minded people, people who are interested in consciousness and intuition. All these bonds are integral to dealing with uncertainty.
@jeanne-mayell I very much relate to this. I feel like I am in hibernation mode. I work from home and we had a quiet family holiday, just the four of us. Feel like I am just keeping to my simple routines, kids getting back to school, etc. I have some creative projects in the works and look forward to having energy to put towards that. I definitely love getting lost in art and making (I did start some crochet this week.) I don't feel overwhelmed, but rather like the Chariot card in Tarot -- gathering my energy and regrouping.
Post election has created some interesting shifts. Huge relief saying goodbye to cable/network news, social media has been reduced to personal interests. Cutting back on anything corporate and supporting local businesses. Am drawn to stay home and connect/have fun with family, friends and community. No sense of dread, but an inclination to share joy and stay humanity centered.
New Year’s Eve took a beautiful morning walk through the neighborhood and by the ocean. As many times as I’ve made this walk it was the first time that “Good Morning” and “Happy New Year” greetings came from everyone. Such love and kindness to wrap 2024 and open the door to 2025.
Began a purge/organizing of attic, garage, closets, etc as a means of clearing out old energy to make room for new (energy not stuff). This was not a my intention, more of a spiritual urgency and push. A lot of sadness with the fires the past few days but a friend once said, “when you’re sad, do something for someone else.” Contacted the Cat shelter where we adopted our Kitty Babies (Proud Cat Lady here) to see if they could use some fleece fabric that was taking up space in the attic. Was happy to hear that they have people to sew blankets for the animals and are thrilled to have new/unused fabric. Friend was right! Made me so happy to think of the warmth and comfort those blankets will bring. Next stop is a thrift store in town that takes donations for a women’s shelter.
May everyone experience joy and unexpected happy glimmers as the year progresses.
Jeanne, I so feel for you. Glad you are feeling more whole.
What I should do more of is read, and make art. I sing, occasionally bake and one thing I really do enjoy is cleaning. It's very satisfying to control what is right in front of you.
I keep a gratitude journal that I remember to write in occasionally. I always end with:
Thank You
I love you
I support you
~
@jeanne mayell
I have been a lurker since 2016, but I feel very compelled to comment on this topic. My initial reaction to the election was grief, denial and despair. I agreed with my son who said his faith in the American people had been completely obliterated.
As usual I turned to this community for comfort and as usual I wasn’t disappointed. I took to heart the advice to shelter in place and find your little joys in life. I was determined to do just that and I have. I had a little help with that when our youngest daughter told us she was pregnant and the baby is due on my birthday!
But somewhere along the way all the messages about love being the only thing that could defeat the darkness made me realize I was actually part of the problem. My angry feelings and yes, hatred for certain things and people were certainly not helping to banish the darkness. I am not intuitive in any way, but I decided to concentrate on sending light and love to EVERYONE and to just concentrate on having a positive attitude no matter what. It has been transforming for me. I find some joy in each day, especially with my family. I let go of worrying about the little, unimportant things and just concentrate on spending time with the people I love. I also enjoy the peacefulness of nature and plan to spend time hiking and appreciating our wonderful planet. I would also like to be active in the community, but I am very much an introvert so that will take some courage for me.
I have also found a new spirituality. The decision to give thanks everyday to Spirit and my spirit guides for all the blessings in my life has renewed my faith and helped to maintain my positivity. I am not always successful at constant positivity. I still have anxiety over what is going to happen and who is going to get hurt once 45 takes office. I have given up all MSM and political discussions on social media. My state of mind has definitely benefited from this.
I also take comfort in the fact that a lot of people in this forum say they are still calm and that democracy will survive even though it will take a beating.
Thank you all and especially Jeanne for your contributions to this site. I truly don’t know how I would have navigated the last eight years without you and I am certainly going to need you for the next four! I am praying for all of us during these turbulent times. May the light vanquish the dark sooner rather than later.
The sun is shining on the Outer Cape where winter is most welcomed by locals and f/t washashores like me. Bc winter is a welcome cocooning time for me anyway, I can’t complain about being far from the madding crowd.
I’ve stopped watching the news and just read it now. I also have deactivated Facebook and Threads this week which feels incredibly freeing. I hadn’t realized how much of the negative energy I was absorbing even if I kept the ugly trumpets away.
This afternoon, I take my second painting class nearby. I always hesitated bc of low confidence regarding my artistic talent, but last week I was compelled to join and give it a go. The first week was creating color via mixing paint and I brought home my work and hung it on the fridge. :-)
I experienced some minor psychic dread a couple of days before the fires erupted—my son is in Burbank and is safe thus far. I again have a sense of “waiting for the other shoe to drop” but feel resilient regarding these feelings. It’s as if my guides are saying “we’ve got you no matter what happens.”
Friends are reaching out to me re getting together and engaging in fun activities to keep ahead of any societal angst and this feels like great protective light around me. I am grateful.
I suppose I’m taking life one day at a time now and the otherwise peace and calm I feel, albeit perplexing amid such loss and suffering, is a gift I accept and am opening every day. I wish peace and comfort to all when you need it most.