DEALING WITH THE AFTERMATH
Hello Everyone and welcome to #Wellness Wednesday. Today we Americans wake up to a new President. So accordingly, we’re taking a slight departure from my typical blog path of discussing science, healthy eating, statistics and hard core wellness issues. Today we’re going to discuss wellness as it pertains to the outcome of our Presidential election – and why that outcome will be fine – no matter who’s elected.
You see, while this blog was scheduled to be published this morning, I’m actually writing it on the Saturday before election day. I have no idea who our next President will be. I do know, however, that this Presidential election has created a perfect storm of deeply held and passionately opposed societal beliefs.
The bad news about this is that much of our personal world has become mired in negativity, anger, fear, distrust, suspicion, anxiety and feelings of hopelessness. These are truly tough things to deal with. And, they can negatively impact our emotional, physical, mental and spiritual health tremendously.
The good news about this perfect storm, however, is that incredibly important issues have been raised. Hatred, racism, abuse, sexual harassment, dishonesty, deceit and inequality have taken over the political center stage –and I doubt they’ll go away quietly any time soon. Indeed, they need to remain front and center – and they need to be examined thoroughly by all of us.
For, we are the fortunate people of this unique country called America. We believe in Freedom. Freedom of speech, freedom of expression, freedom to love whomever we choose, freedom to practice our religion and freedom to pursue our own personal path to happiness.
And, with this beautiful Freedom comes the burden of living side-by-side with others who may not share our beliefs, our ideals, what we think is right or the way we think things should be done. It’s a process called checks and balances. While standing firmly and remaining loyal to our own beliefs, we also are called upon to respect the beliefs of those with whom we may disagree.
No doubt, this is a historic election in American history. So, of course, emotions are running high and polarization has reached new heights. But, remember this. No matter who wins, the world won’t end. America will go on. Democracy will survive. And we Americans will continue to live in a country blessed like no other.
For here’s the thing. No election – not even this one – can diminish our own personal power. The world around us changes. We can’t control that. But, we can always control our own thoughts and actions. In the aftermath of voting our conscience, we can remain steadfast to our beliefs. We can retain our loyalties. We can live each day promoting the ideals in which we believe. We can be kind and compassionate. We can love and be loved. We can create beauty, peace and positivity every day wherever we are. In this way, we can remain that not so elusive constant in a chaotic world of constant change. And as we chisel our own personal truth within, trust that truth will radiate without — into the world around us.
So, whichever side of the aisle we find ourselves this morning, remember we’re all in this together. We all share the same basic essential values of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. And in spite of the conflict, new approaches and differing minds can make us stronger as individuals and as a nation – not weaker. Adversity and challenge can help us re-evaluate, expand and evolve.
On that note, may today’s winners be gracious in the winning and may the losers be just as gracious in the losing. Because one thing is certain. It won’t last. Either way, this too shall pass. And, the political tables of public opinion will inevitably turn again and again throughout our lifetimes – as they are destined to do – and as they should.
In the meantime, if you find yourself in a storm, weather it. Stay the course. Follow your own compass. Be true to yourself. Embrace your personal power. Live your life with passion and dedication – in all its many forms – while respecting the passion and dedication of those around you. And truthfully, if that isn’t the ultimate essence of and key to overall wellbeing and wellness, I don’t know what is.
Thanks for joining me everyone. Next week we’ll be returning to our regularly scheduled programming as we discuss Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month and a particularly tricky cancer that affects over 60,000 Americans each year. Until then stay in GOOD HEALTH and . . .
TAKE THE COURSE AND TAKE CHARGE!
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