Scattered and yet, very clear thoughts today.
November 6th, 2024
Honesty. It’s all I’ve got today.
I stood on the soil of my backyard last night, felt the earth beneath me, and cried—not for my privileged, white, upper-class self, but for all those who might now live in fear that their lives and status will be affected by this. No one deserves to live in fear.
When I awoke this morning, I saw the news, and I knew I had to find ways to let the light in on what otherwise seemed like a weighty day. I opened the blinds and the window. I lit a candle. I told myself that I would need to find ways to grieve and process, find and share comfort, and ultimately, learn from this.
Then, the texts and messages started flooding in. I knew that in this grief, I should choose not to remain silent but not rush to add empty words to the cacophony of voices on this day. So, I opened social media and closed it. I posted to my Instagram story and quickly closed it. I responded to messages and then put my phone away. I took it out again. I am unsettled, if anything.
I know the economy is not doing well.
I knew that neither side was going to be the savior.
A critical side note and my first challenge to the voters of the President-Elect: since you were so quick to vote for a convicted felon to hold our land’s highest office, I sure hope you'll be just as fast to restore voting rights to those who are incarcerated.
You. Can’t. Have. It. Both. Ways. Consistency is needed.
My first question today (as I know I’ll have more) to those who voted for him: I’m curious—how can you still believe *he* is/was the right person for the job, the right person to lead America, in light of his racist, sexist, and dictatorial actions?
I’d HONESTLY love to hear your perspective. Let’s go to lunch, coffee, or happy hour to discuss it. My first is already scheduled after an Instagram message exchange.
Listen - if we can’t begin to listen, see, and understand each other, there is NO WAY FORWARD TOGETHER. It will only continue to be us vs them, and I’m only interested in WE.
Selah.
Deep within my bones, I feel this and know that I’m returning to “it’s time to let the light in.”
If this nation needs anything, it needs to be flooded with LIGHT.
So, it’s time for us all to restore, replenish, and prepare. I’m going to take this holiday season to do just that. Because 2025 needs a focused and compassionate community.
We are all needed now more than ever. We must protect, fight for what is good, and unite—across all dividing lines and disagreements.
So, today and in the near future, do what you need to do to care for yourself well.
Decorate for Christmas today. Watch all the comforting things like movies and animal videos. Eat and drink everything that brings you joy. Reach out to people to ask if they need something. Reach out to people when YOU need something.
Because as we replenish, we also need each other to find our voices, to find ways not just to take a stand but to extend ourselves in support of those who need it most.
What I know is that it's time for me to write the book that’s inside me.
It’s time to find ways—large and small—to share our lives, our changing perspectives, the challenges we’ve faced, the confrontations we’ve endured, and the invitations we’ve received to grow. Our stories are important and invitations to an expanded life, invitations to a true community. We must share them.
So feel deeply, process your grief, and trust in yourself—and in us.
There are people out there, finding, honing, being, and sharing light.
The curious, loving ones are invested in extending themselves toward you and all of us. Let us intentionally intertwine our roots. We must dig deep—within ourselves and this world—to find the better way. It exists, and it will take all of us doing our part to live into it.
The question we must all first ask is: What is mine to do?
Don't hesitate to reach out if you need a friend, a listening ear, a shoulder, or anything else.
With honesty, scattered thoughts, deep sadness, and a tinge of rage, MG.