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Among the numerous rant-worthy aspects of Election 2024 (or as I like to refer to it, "Erection 2024"), "AMERICA VOTED," as most media outlets proclaim, makes the "money talks, ethics walks" outcome seem like a unilateral decision.
AMERICANS VOTED… and a sizable percentage of us did not vote for Trump. But that’s not the point. Until further notice, we have a two-party system and retain the right to choose how we vote. Trump did not elect himself – although it often feels like he did… we’re not there yet, and hopefully, we never will be.
That said, I have no intention of unpacking the election and its results here. Like most of us, I have some strong opinions based on my own observations, but I don’t kid myself into believing that anyone is interested. However, on the off chance that you are, I’d be happy to share privately.
What’s equally disturbing to me are the effects of the fallout from the campaigns themselves – on both sides of the aisle. If you’ve followed my column, then you know I often invoke Maya Angelou’s well-known quote, “I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” I wholeheartedly believe it and know from experience that she spoke the truth.
When I spoke or texted with several friends pre- and post-election – all strong, smart women – most were outraged and frightened for the future. Fear-mongering and anger-based rhetoric will do that. Trust me, I’m not immune to it… but it pained me to see dear friends making themselves sick from the toxicity that comes from harboring and fostering that kind of negativity. The results are the results… we can’t change that, but we can change how we respond.
In a recent article for Time, titled How to Cope if the Election Didn’t Go Your Way, Jenna Glover, chief clinical officer of the mindfulness and meditation app Headspace, tells us, “It’s easy to get overwhelmed by 'what if?' possibilities, often focusing on the worst-case scenarios of what will happen to your life and the country as a result of the election. It’s important to stay focused on the present.” Well worth a read! Link here.
Other valuable perspectives and coping strategies from Park’s article include:
Find ways to gain control and take action
If the results aren’t what you had hoped for, then finding ways to take action to support your views can also be productive. Consider volunteering for causes you believe in, attending city council meetings, and becoming more knowledgeable about your local leadership and political system. “You can’t change the results of the election, but each person can have an impact,” says Glover.
Take it from me, you do have control over how you respond. So please don’t make yourself sick with negativity. Make yourself strong, and take control of your own outcome for the future!