Remember

Ah, the end of yet another bitter, contentious election season. The naming of “winners” and “losers”.  Really? I thought this was a massive interview process for one of the most difficult, damned-if-you-do-damned-if-you-don’t jobs on the face of the planet (right after being a teacher).  But that’s not what I really want to write about today.

There is so much analysis, despair, anger, and finger-pointing flooding social media and media right now. A great deal of public processing.  There are voices of reason and voices of hysteria. So what do I do now?

Well, in general, reflect. Reassure. Focus on who I can help and who I can show God’s love and grace. And remember.

Remember, that we all have a role to play. We are each INDIVIDUALLY accountable for our own actions, thoughts, and influence. In every situation there are at least two piles – and one of them is mine. That’s the one I must take care of.

Remember that accountability and responsibility ALWAYS accompany rights. It is up to me to seek justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God. Not just stomp my Princess shoes and demand from others what I am unwilling to give or to work for myself.

Remember my own history and lineage. It turns out that I am gathering of diversity – as we all are. Just because my diversity is not the same as yours is not a value statement about either of us.

Remember that unchanneled anger will never change anything, nor is it productive. I need to remove the log from my own eye before I address the speck in somone else’s eye. Maybe my anger is more about what is in me. Or what I am afraid is in me.

Remember that to whom much is given, much is required. I probably won’t solve big issues like world hunger or greed, but I can help people in my neighborhood. That’s my responsibility – it is not good, healthy, or efficient for me to assign that responsibility.  It is however, easier.

Remember much care is needed in choosing what I allow in my mind and heart. Fear is a powerful weapon against us and against each other. It divides. It removes the ability to think through and determine validity and action.

Remember to expand my horizons. Meeting and interacting, and yes, even making friends with people outside my current experience and frame of reference is extremely helpful in dashing fear.

Remember opening salvos such as “Democrats are going to give free things to evil trolls…” and “Republicans are going to support blood-thirsty orcs …” and “(insert name of group I don’t belong to)(insert aberrant behavior)”, are stereotyping and divisive and fear-mongering.  And quite frankly insulting. Be specific. Behaviors are individual and rarely generalizable to an entire group who share some commonality.

I am quite aware all of my points are arguable. Go ahead. Somewhere else however. My goal is to remember for myself, and hopefully to spur others to remember for themselves. And think.

Peace.