Remember Why You Came Here
There is so much grief and terror and outright evil happening, with the promise of more to come, that it’s easy to feel inadequate right now. I’ve heard, over and over this week, friends and colleagues saying, “I don’t know what to do” as they express their shock and struggle to even function. Interestingly, the ones saying this in my world have all been white women like me.
I decided to take my cues from my black women friends. Of all demographics, to me this group seems the most oppressed in our white supremacist patriarchy, and they can and will bear the brunt of racist and sexist cruelty in ways I never will. Though my friends are absolutely NOT okay with the election results, none of them were surprised, and none of them are frozen with shock. In fact, it’s the opposite. They are showing up with dignity and deeply-grounded spirits, continuing to do what needs to be done at work and at home.
Inspired by their behaviors, I have resisted my desire to panic or succumb to despair. Rather, I have met my own anxiety and grief this week with tender, loving mental boundaries, increased self-care, and authentic connection with like-minded others. I have researched and shared information on things we can do. I found this information to be particularly helpful: https://wagingnonviolence.org/2024/11/10-things-to-do-if-trump-wins/
When I go deep inside, to the quiet place where God speaks to me, I hear words like, “Remember why you came here. You know how to do this. You are not alone.” I am reminded that we have so many role models, from the first followers of Jesus, to the civil rights activists of the 60s, to those living under authoritarian regimes across the world, to our own friends and colleagues in marginalized groups right here. We need not be fragile.
I truly believe if we are alive right now, working as healers and activists and change agents, that is why we incarnated at this time in human history. So let us not be daunted by the enormity of the evil we face. Let us see it clearly, link hands and hearts, and affirm, “This is why I am here.” Let us resist fear and evil and persist in the sacred work of Being Peace. Waging Peace. And Loving One Another, Every Single Other.
Roxanne spends her days working with organizations that seek to cultivate cultures where people can resist fear, heal trauma, and thrive.