Bright Spots on Dark Days – Growing Resolve

The past two weeks have been a whirlwind of insane executive orders from the new administration – much of it illegal, some of it mercifully halted (if only temporarily), almost all of it cruel and terrifying. And that is by design. These activities are not meant to accomplish anything so much as to overwhelm, frighten and cow into a preemptive submission those that would push back on such atrocities in any other time. Elected officials have been slow to do much more than offer messages of reproach. They are apparently taking action now (that one can only imagine should have been baked and ready to action since November…) Our strong and mighty watchdog groups have sprung into action issuing lawsuits and creating some space, and many citizens and small action groups are making themselves known through the steady activity that will ensure this resistance outlives this moment. 

I have found that I need to strike a balance between giving the attention that is required to stay abreast of the news, and feeling I have the information needed to know when I might need to spring into immediate action, with a balancing focus on the things that bring me joy and peace. All of it is needed right now, and we all have to strike our own balance with the knowledge that we must not turn away fully. We didn’t vote for this, we likely worked hard to encourage others to vote against it as well, but deserve it or not, this is our reality. It’s our country and we have the good sense to understand the peril it is in right now, and we simply must harden our resolve to fight for what is right.

And look, I understand how hard it is to think about fighting when so many of us still feel pretty punch-drunk from the last election we lost. This is the hardest moment there is to stand and square up for another round, when you’re still hurting and the last round was both so close and so brutal, but take our stances we must! We simply do not have another option. Would you obey in advance? go gently into that good night? Stand down while the ideals you were raised to believe are integral to your homeland are stripped away right before your eye? 

These past days have shown a light for me on the progress I have made, and the gaps that existed, in my planning for this moment. Since I moved more than 1000 miles since Trump was last president, a lot of my network for resistance activities is no longer an option for me. While I have prioritized community, volunteerism and involvement in a handful of causes, I did not fully integrate myself into these communities until now. That was short-sighted of me, but fortunately there have been amazing activists at the helm, readying for this moment, and I know I can come in as a reinforcement, ready to infuse fresh energy and sustained commitment to my involvement with these groups in my forever state of residence. 

My approach is this:

1. I am connecting with 2 organizations, one of a national nature I have worked with before in another state and one that is new to me and more locally focused. I will sign up for their groups and take their guidance on actions. I check in first thing in the morning while I drink my coffee, and schedule myself for a future meeting, phone a congressman, or make a quick donation in those 20 minutes. Then I put my phone down and have morning snuggles with my dogs before I start my exercise routine for the morning.  It’s a small investment daily to know I am on track to live according to my values, and it’s totally scalable. If I’m having a day, I can always skip, shrink or grow this amount of effort accordingly.

2. I am taking every opportunity I can to connect more fully with my communities – these are not political in nature, although it inevitably comes up as I seek to surround myself with empathic, idealistic people. I am going to more museums and discussing more books and taking more walks and having more coffee chats. It is so incredibly good to remember I am part of something bigger and rooted in the place where I live. 

3. I am focusing hard on my goals and plans – creating plenty of space for the parts of my life over which I have a lot of control. I can pour my energy into the parts of my life that I am encouraged to see take a finer shape and in that way finds lots of little things to celebrate even amidst a time of difficulty. I am planning trips and family parties as well as group coaching offerings that always fill me with gratitude and awe and a deep feeling of connection to the things that matter most to me. 

4. I am reading and sharing the best things I come across. This article is a robust starter on the things you can do to feel most impactful right now. This is a commentary on how this can all fit into your re-examined, larger life plan from an exciting Philosophy professor and author I have been fortunate enough to connect with recently. 

I encourage each of you to find the balance that allows you to live according to your values in this difficult moment. If you want to be part of the fight you can carve out a part for yourself that fits the energy and ability you have at this moment.

You won’t do it alone, and you can always adjust or grow that part as needed. 

And if you don’t want to be part of the fight there are many pathways to be a support and safe harbor for the people and causes that are closest to your heart. In either case, take the time to find your communities of likeminded thinkers and doers. Online and most especially in-person, we need one another and your your strength will come from finding many communities of different stripes to balance the needs and gifts you have right now. And ALWAYS remember, this too shall pass. We will see this through and come out the other side stronger and more connected for the experience.