On Wednesday I think I was in shock. I must have been in denial or maybe I was naive. You see, I have a very diverse circle of friends. That is a blessing. I have friends who are passionate activists for human rights,equality and our environment. That is a blessing. My friends are kind, compassionate and generous. That is a blessing. On Tuesday when I cast my vote I truly believed that good would prevail. I believed that my diverse circle of friends represented the masses. I was shocked and honestly, horrified as I watched the news the next day. Clearly I've been living in a bubble of love and light and cotton candy. That.... was not a blessing; or was it?
This blog is not about politics. It's about yoga. More specifically, it's about how I apply yoga to my day to day life. This, my friends, is where the rubber meets the road. It's very easy for me to feel love and compassion for my diverse circle of friends.. We all have similar values. It's easy for me to see God in everyone when everyone I see share my ideals. We are being given an opportunity to practice yoga. Yoga is union...
As I mentioned, I've been listening... I heard a woman say "I voted for him because he's going to take care of our soldiers." her voice quivering. Her vote felt like it was not about hate or racism. Her vote was not to condone violence against women. Her vote was for what she thought would help our service men and women.
When I told someone that I couldn't vote for such a hateful man her reply was "He's not hateful. I can't vote for Hillary because of her role in Bengazi." She was noticeably confused about why I would think he was so filled with hate. This exchanged reminded me of an interview I watched on Super Soul Sunday.
During the interview, these relationship experts who happened to be married were talking about ways to resolve conflicts in relationship. The suggestion that stuck with me was this, they suggested that when you are in a relationship you have gained another set of eyes with which to see the world. During a conflict, ask your partner "What is it that you're seeing that I'm not?". Asking the question puts us on the same side of the conflict and helps us work together to resolve the conflict. It gives us an opportunity to see another perspective.
I can honestly say that I have felt sad and disappointed when I hear that people that I love and respect voted for that man. It felt shocking to learn that people I love and respect could vote for someone who has exhibited such deplorable behavior. What's made it a bit easier to wrap my head around their choice has been remembering why I love and respect these people. Knowing that at their core, they are kind, loving people it begs the question "What is it that you're seeing that I'm not?"
At the end of the day, how that man chooses to live his life does not dictate how I choose to live mine. He does not represent me and my values. He will no doubt bring destruction and chaos to the government as we know it. It's going to be messy and painful but my hope is that it will clear the way for something better to emerge. Before there can be a re-birth there must be a death.
I sort of feel sorry for that man. It seems God has chosen him to be the instrument for destruction.
He has certainly exposed a shit ton of ugly in people that I never expected. He's shown me that I was living in a bubble where I really truly believed that racism, misogyny, and homophobia were rare rather than the norm. He has exposed the work that needs to be done in this country and that is a blessing. The darkness has been exposed. It's up to us to bring the light.
He has certainly exposed a shit ton of ugly in people that I never expected. He's shown me that I was living in a bubble where I really truly believed that racism, misogyny, and homophobia were rare rather than the norm. He has exposed the work that needs to be done in this country and that is a blessing. The darkness has been exposed. It's up to us to bring the light.
It's time to roll up our sleeves and get to work building communities and building bridges with our brothers and sisters of all races, religions and all creeds so that once the dust settles from the dismantling of a corrupt and unjust system we are ready to step up and together build a system that is founded on the values of integrity, compassion and justice for ALL humanity.
During the destruction process I invite you to invoke the energy of Durga Ma. Embody her and let's get to work...
OM DUM DURGAYAI SWAHA!
