Two days ago I posted some pictures of the sky after a storm. Today feels a bit like that.
Yesterday’s election in the United States did not turn out as I had hoped, and many of my friends and family today are dismayed, amazed, disappointed, angry, and feeling a host of emotions underpinned by fear for the future. I share their feelings. At the same time, I remind myself that the results were actually quite close, and Democrats remained hopeful right up until the end. That tells me that all is not lost.
As I reflect today on the US election I remember how the first sounds I heard during the previous day’s storm were of the emergency service vehicles going to help people who had suffered from the damage caused by the strong winds. Trees had been blown down, branches fell on power lines, and the power was out for hours in many locations. Yet, in the midst of it all, there were people fighting against the weather to go and help others.
There is, I feel, a parallel there for those who feel devastated in America. First, you are not alone. Half of the population shares your pain. Second, there are helpers out there and as soon as they can they will be coming to do whatever they can to bring comfort and support.
The progressive politicians will have to regroup and rethink their policies and their messaging, and they will need the support of forward-looking members of the public. In fact, the path to the next election begins today not with television advertising and emotional podcasts but with local support for positive change and for people in need.
No matter what happens in the offices of power, local action and local support will be, and always have been, the foundation for changes that assist people who need aid and comfort. A powerful wind has caused some damage, but the damage can be fixed, and as Fred Rogers often said, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”
After Monday’s storm had passed the sun set behind the dark clouds and the contrast was a thing of beauty. The sun is a beautifully constant source of heat and light, and storms will always be temporary. I know this doesn’t address any of the issues we fear may come, but I just wanted to focus on today and remind myself of the power of small mercies.
Snowbird of Paradise 
It’s a sad day but I only have to survive the next 4 years…everything is so up in the air on what he will end up doing. His wife looks happy as a lark too. LOL
And you are a survivor! America has four years to continue to fight the good fight. And I don’t know what to think about Melania!
Your perspective is helpful. But I’m still deeply saddened. And pretty worried about the amount of human rights that can be lost.
Thanks, Lorna. I share your concerns, but I was looking for a path forward.
Maybe I can be looking forward tomorrow.💙
Understood.
Hello Anne, There surely has been a storm here in the USA. Numerous storms during the confusing pre-election period here. I saw how this president-elect behaved during his previous term and it seemed so wrong by my standards. I thought, naively I guess, that we the people would not elect a convicted felon and sexual abuser to anything, much less the presidency for a 2nd term. Anyone with an ounce of intelligence would know better. Seeing the maps looking so red though has given me pause. All those people who voted for the previous president can’t be as dumb as I believed his supporters all were. I may need to somehow adjust my thinking a bit. That does not assuage the fear I feel though. I do believe that helpers will appear at some point though. We can’t allow America to crumble.
The whole world is in shock right now, but mostly those who voted against him in the US.
Those maps give a distorted view of the population because it is not spread evenly across the country. They use the geographic state maps for convenience, but if they showed them in proportion to the numbers of people, the map would look very different.
The storm has passed but the fight to repair the damage starts now.
So true, and we’re seeing it already. The election is over for now, but the movement is too good not to continue.
Absolutely. And it will re-emerge with a clearer mandate and better messaging.