Way forward

We need a way forward now.

It’s the day after. It happened and Trump was elected. I know I didn’t sleep much last night. Somehow, people have seen his behavior this past decade and still feel him fit to run our nation. Dems focused on social issues while GOP voters only care about dollars and who is giving them what, it seems. (Gross over-simplification, I know. I’m not writing this to form new friendships.)

So while our democracy begins to be dismantled from the inside out, what can we, its citizens, do?

There will probably be lots written on this by people smarter and more thoughtful than me, but here’s what’s getting me through the first day:

We need to turn to our communities. We need to be more connected and not choose this moment to shrink into ourselves, even if that’s the first instinct. Connect to neighbors. Help them with your hands - carry things that are too heavy, pick up tools and fix a fence or a railing, cook a meal. Help them with your voice - speak on behalf of those who can’t speak up for themselves. Help them with your presence - sit with them and listen.

There will be bad days in the next 4 years, but to give up, to leave, to drift inward and not engage - that is not the answer. Connecting with people in real life rather than virtually (I recognize the the hypocrisy of writing this sentiment in a virtual environment, but I guess I’m thinking more about social media) would go a long way. Turn off your phone and ring a doorbell. I’ll try if you will.

One day at a time. Focus outward, move forward. Listen, I know these aren’t concrete solutions. I don’t know how to unite our divided country. But it has to start by not giving up and spending some time listening.