Post Election Advice

Well, the election is over. Maybe things will be wonderful, as the winner promised, or maybe not. Only time will tell. What concerns me now is the despair demonstrated by the losers. I think it is noteworthy that no one on the losing side is alleging cheating or that the election was stolen in any way. Be gracious in defeat.

I am speaking to those of us on the losing side. Acceptance means awareness without judgment. In practical terms, animosity toward anyone on the winning side will accomplish nothing. If you are a follower of Christ, you already know God’s commandment to love your neighbor as yourself, even if you disagree politically. If you can look beyond politics, you will find we are all more alike than we are different. We need each other. When my house burned down a few years ago, there were four fire departments here. I am sure some of them were Republicans. None of them asked about my political beliefs before putting out the fire, or after.

So, my advice for the time to come is to be an example to your neighbors who voted for Donald Trump. Many of them are good people trying to make their way just like you.  Remember that confrontation rarely changes hearts and minds, but sometimes people will take suggestions.

My experience with my own recovery and working with many others in the field of recovery is that nobody changes unless they think they have to. Slightly more than half the people in this country got what they wanted in this election. Let them live with it. Should it come to pass that the predictions of many on the left come true and things get bad, be there to suggest to the folks on the right that there may be a better way. Be supportive. Try to connect human heart to human heart.

Above all remember that love is always stronger than hate and fear in the end. I am not saying do nothing. Oppose injustice when you see it. Do what you can. Do so with integrity and honor. Don’t compromise your values. Look to your Higher Power.

We appear to be living in a time when each individual must look in their own heart, examine their values and make changes when necessary. I realize that some people are unlikely or even unable to do that. But I think many people will. When enough people have found their compassion and reaffirmed their connection to reality, things will change for the better. Unfortunately, we may all have to endure some hard times before that happens.