The morning after the election, I awoke to a swirl of emotions—numbness, sadness, resignation. Yet, woven through these feelings was something unexpected: a profound sense of peace and inner strength.
It was as if I had quietly settled to the bottom of a lake, where the world above fades into stillness and calm. Beneath the surface, there is no chaos—just gentle currents supporting and carrying me along. In that moment, I felt a reset, a collective exhale after the tension of the election. The democratic process had spoken. America had chosen. Whether or not I agreed with the outcome, I invited myself—and others—to simply sit with that truth.
Accepting What Is
The clarity of a decisive choice reminds us that democracy works, even in moments of deep division. Now comes the challenge: can we accept this collective decision with empathy rather than anger? Can we listen—not with judgment or shame, but with an open heart?
There is a profound message beneath the surface of any election, a call that begs for compassion and curiosity. Instead of retreating into polarization, what if we leaned into the discomfort of difficult conversations with courage and love?
When I woke that morning, I didn’t feel ready for battle. Instead, I discovered a wellspring of spirit—a rooted light that seemed tailored for this moment in time. It was strength not born from conflict, but from the capacity to hold empathy and stay grounded.
With a quiet nod to myself, I rolled up my sleeves. “Here we are. Now let’s get to work.”
Showing Up in the Everyday
Rather than isolate, I chose to step out into my community. I wandered through familiar places—the DMV, the supermarket, the bookstore, the local coffee house—letting my heart guide me.
I made eye contact, shared smiles, asked simple questions: “How are you doing?” I cracked light jokes. I pressed my hands against store walls, sending love to the spaces that hold our daily lives. I sat quietly among neighbors, offering my presence as a gesture of rooted strength.
These moments may seem small, but they are powerful. True change does not come from distant grand gestures; it unfolds right now, in everyday choices, in the breaths we take and the love we choose to weave into our surroundings.
The Power of Blessing
You are a unique expression of the sacred. Within you lies the ability to bless, to radiate love, and to energize the spaces and relationships around you.
Now is the time to act on that power. The election has closed one chapter. It is “go time” for us to bring our light into the world—choosing kindness, joy, humor, curiosity, and above all, deep listening.
Remember, we are interconnected. America is one body. There is no sense in conflict within ourselves—like the liver fighting the spleen. Instead, let us work together in unity.
A Call to Community and Compassion
Today, I send love out to my community—and to yours. Know this: you have within you exactly what you need to meet this moment.
You were made for this time.
So choose love.
Choose connection.
Choose to listen with your whole heart.
Choose to build bridges, not walls.
And most importantly, choose to believe in the power of togetherness.
Maryn Spangler is Communications Director and faculty member for the Lorian Association, blending spiritual practice with healing arts. Visit www.lorian.org to learn more.
Discover more about meditation and community healing in the Spirit of Change online Alternative Health Directory.
