I don’t think I am alone in feeling a heaviness and weariness on Election Day 2020. No matter which way the election goes and how soon we know the results, the road forward is not clear. No one has the answers. The acrimony and divisiveness that is present in America leaves me with a sense of despair. So where does this hopelessness lead? For me, it leads back to our shared values and oft-cited American Spirit.
What are those values? What is the Spirit of America? I believe we still have values; we still have a Spirit. What we lack is a way to find and celebrate our shared values and Spirit.
As I reflected on what to say on Election Day, I went first to my head. Surely, I can say more about values, transitions and proven processes for managing big change, my head advised. And then my heart took over and asked me if I would like a little silence. Wouldn’t it be nice to have fewer words for a while? To do what parents do when children are struggling – we call time out. We pause. We make space for new possibilities.
If we spend the next few weeks each listening to our preferred news commentary, we can reinforce our current beliefs – but we will not find our shared values and Spirit. What would happen if we all took a week off from our favorite news show or commentator?
Instead, let’s use this time to be quiet and to reflect on what we love and appreciate about our nation and each other. Yes, what if we set aside attention to injustices and embraced the coming weeks as a time to deepen our sense of gratitude.
Gratitude helps us imagine what true Spirit can do. It helps us balance competing values between individual and states rights and our shared common welfare. It helps us learn to love our fellow travelers.
Wars and calamities repeatedly soften our hearts and lead us to reach out in kindness to one another. To be certain, we have more than enough going on to declare a national disaster. Can we let this disaster soften us to listen to our Spirit and to each other in new ways?
No matter which candidates win the election, we need a transition in how we are governed in order to move forward. The “them versus us” isn’t working and hasn’t worked in the history of our country. But more importantly, we need a transition in our Spirit. We need to listen for new ways to work out our collective values and ways of sharing what has been given to us.
In this moment in America, process is more important than task. How we engage and search for our common welfare will be much more important than which change happens first.
The first transition might best be one of doing nothing and waiting and listening to discern more about how the Spirit of America can lead to liberty and justice for all.
When I get in a hurry for change, a wise friend coaches me repeatedly “to give time, time. Give the change a chance to happen.”
Big change is needed ahead. Let’s listen carefully so our Spirit and values guide us in this transition and change.
A very fresh approach.Thanks Tom
Greetings From SF.
A provocative blog, Tom. Thanks for getting the considerations going this morning. From north of the border, up here is Canada, I’d say that our Spirit aligns with, and perhaps even complements, yours. The words I’d use to point to that Spirit are compassion and collaboration. So, liberty with compassion and justice through collaboration. Thanks again for doing these. Blessings, dear friend.
Thanks Brian, great to hear from you. Indeed compassion and collaboration. I keep wondering how all the many white leaders you and I have had the blessing of knowing might come together and be available with our friends of color on anti-racist, institutional change agenda. Be well!
In our context, those anti-racism conversations are opening up with Indigenous peoples. Not easy for those of us with settler heritage. But in my faith tradition, with its focus on forgiveness and reconciliation, it’s a provocative possibility that takes the kind of patience you encourage.
Yes different and yet in many ways the same. Be well, Brian.
Thanks, Tom. I agree we need to give time the time. Very challenging to resist, quiet the desire for action. For me, to be more Mary than Martha.
God Bless America!
Pat
Thanks Pat. Great to be reconnected with you and Mike. Sometimes it feel like I am sitting on my hands. A more mellow friend often reminds me whatever it is that is so urgent will look different in a few days! Be well!
Thanks, Tom. I am 100% with the ideals of reconcilation with all and compassion for the suffering ones a mong us. I appreciate this blog to share with others these important principles and to commit myself to pray and work for them. Howard