Principle #6 – Move to ACTION!
It’s almost here…election day! The tension in the battleground states is really building. There is an endless number of political ads on TV, and our mailboxes are overflowing. The candidates and their families are campaigning every day in North Carolina! Some candidates, and their supporters, are wearing face masks, and some aren’t. And COVID cases are rising so fast! It’s stressful and exhausting.
Something I learned during this election process is just how divided we really are in some areas of the country. Living in a battleground state is difficult because some people are very vocal and even a little aggressive in their beliefs about who will win this election. It saddens me to see the lengths some people are taking to ensure that we don’t have a fair election. But on the flip side, it warms my heart to see our citizens bending over backward to make every vote count.
There are long lines at voting sites and a record number of absentee ballots cast all across the nation. We are making our voices heard and not letting the nonsense affect our values and beliefs. I read an article about a woman registering 106 elderly residents in a group home and taking them, in wheelchairs and walkers, to vote. Her dedication to our democracy and to her fellow citizens is so inspiring. I love that!
“Voting is the most precious right of every citizen, and we have a moral obligation to ensure the integrity of our voting process.” – Hillary Clinton
I understand there are many issues we are voting for, but I will be so glad when this election is over! I ask myself…how will we all live together after the election is over? Are we as divided as we seem? How will we live together knowing that our neighbor may have voted differently? Do we have different values? Can we all come together and compromise?
I’ve struggled with these questions for a while. I have a negative judgment about people voting for the status quo. But I remind myself that we are Americans, and we have the freedom to believe and say what we want. Our beliefs may be different, but we all have a heart and care about each other. Remember how everyone stepped up to help their communities when we had stay-at-home orders?
“We will remember that we are not as divided as our politics suggests; that we are one people; we are one nation and together, we will begin the next great chapter in the American story with three words that will ring from coast to coast, from sea to shining sea: – Yes. We. Can.” – Barack Obama
I think we are more alike than different. And we want the same things for ourselves and our families. We want safe and affordable homes, education for ourselves and our children, affordable healthcare, and jobs that pay living wages. Everyone deserves to be treated fairly and to have the same opportunities, no matter our gender or the color of our skin.
We can achieve this by taming our judgments and joining together. Let’s open the conversation and listen with compassion to each other’s stories. We can unite and become one nation again. America…a land of freedom and opportunity because we all matter. A country where we value people and help others succeed. Where people step up and help someone in need. “Yes. We. Can.” Best quote ever! Thank you, Barack Obama. I have faith…what about you? Let’s do this!
Freedom is possible!
Love,
Deb