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How to Survive the New Political Reality

It’s almost three weeks in, and we’re still standing. I’ve done a lot of binge-watching about the new political reality in the US, checking in on CNN and CBC morning, noon and night, reading blogs about the election, writing about it, talking about it—I believe it’s critical to world safety that we all keep pace with it. But I’m pulling back this week, taking stock, looking at my life.

The first thing I notice is the stack of unopened letters on my desk, statements, advertisements, nothing overdue or out of date, but hey. Next, I squint a little and see the dust that’s collected on my furniture. And the outside windows are a disgrace, obscuring my view of the world, which is a bit gloomy right now. Clean,windows would help—even though the sparkling outlook only lasts until the next storm.

I know things haven’t been perfect on the food front either. Salads and vegetarian dishes have given way to pizza, sandwiches, dubious entrees from the grocery store, and eating out. It’s not my preferred menu plan! And my freezer full of carefully prepared healthy casseroles gave out weeks ago. Guilt always sets in when I can see the bottom of the freezer, and that happened yesterday.

But first things first. I have neglected my family and friends. I haven’t texted my grandson in weeks, or phoned my niece, the mother of my beautiful grand-niece, who may have grown two inches and gained a complete vocabulary, for all I know!

All of those things are external, I realize. I know that whenever taking stock, it’s important to look inside first. I know I’ve allowed outside forces to take hold, and dominate my thoughts, my feelings and my spirit. And I know I’m not alone in this. Many of you are absorbed in every nuance and shift taking place in the news cycle. Many of you, like me, may have wakened up with a deep feeling of disquiet, and stayed awake, unable to fall asleep again. Some of you may be angry, and unable to let that go.

It’s time to change direction

It is all understandable. These are times of great change, and we, who have already seen more changes than any other age group in history, just want to live in peace and not worry about tomorrow. But that may not be possible, so we have to find ways to confront this new reality, and adapt to it. Our long-lived generation, baby boomers included, have become masters at doing this—it’s why we survive.

I believe it starts with our thoughts, and our ability to direct them. It’s time to consciously notice our self-talk, and re-discover our calming strategies. In the past you might have used meditation, prayer, counselling, support groups and other strategies, including distractions such as a new project or a trip—anything to take you out of the anger/worry mode and change your outlook.

The way ahead

When you are calm and refreshed, you will need to pick up where you left off, not quit. This new political reality will not allow you to abdicate—hiding away is not possible. What is happening now, in the counties, cities and streets of America and the world, will affect you profoundly, and is not going away, despite the deviously normalizing words of the Trump administration and the compliant news media. There is work to do, and you are a part of the force that will need to do it. Finding a middle ground between staying aware of the world around you, and coping emotionally will be a constant challenge in the months and years to come. In your new role as a guardian of democracy, here are some of the things you can do:

Prevent Trump from Worsening Climate Change

Show the government how desperately the public wants to slow climate change. Find your elected representatives and send them a message about the impacts of climate change, and the actions you support.

Read a few of the statements by groups such as American Rivers, Defenders of Wild Life, and Earthjustice that have been have released in the wake of the election. They are promising to fight harder than ever to defend the environment.

Donate to an environmental organization, or find out which groups have state or local chapters near you and volunteer.

Double down on shrinking your own carbon footprint by using less electricity. (unplug your electronics when you’re not using them), recycling electronics, paper or glass and plastic containers. Try to walk, bike, carpool with others, or take public transportation. Try to buy locally grown food, saving on transporting of food and cut down on red meats (which require more energy than other foods).

Sign up to clean a river, plant trees, or monitor how clean the water is in your community. And don’t lose hope. “It can seem very daunting,” says, Debbie Sease, the Sierra Club’s Senior Director of Advocacy, but, “people should not say, well there’s nothing we can do.”

Warn about the dangers of a Trump presidency to women:

Join a feminist or women’s empowerment club in your community, and if such a club doesn’t exist, start one.

Join a feminist book club, and suggest books like,
The Handmaid’s Tale by Virginia Woolf, Simone de Beauvoir’s The Second Sex, Betty Friedan’s The Feminine Mystique and books by new, younger authors: Roxane Gay, Maxine Hong Kingston, Louise Erdrich

Follow female legislators on social media. Retweet, share, and repost, their comments.

Support the National Organization of Women. (You can donate, subscribe to the email list, or become involved with a local chapter.)

Read and share President Obama’s essay on feminism.

Fight bigotry and hate

Asha Noor, who works with ‘Take on Hate’, a national anti-bigotry initiative, also urges building alliances across communities of color and progressive movements to hold Trump accountable.
“We don’t have the numbers to combat these issues alone,” she says. “We need broader coalitions. We need to do the work. We need to be on the ground. We need to be organised. We need to make our ordinary community members who have no political interests into organizers.”

Ultimately, as Washington Post writer Fred Hiatt warns in an article, “The Fight to Defend Democracy”,  if the political situation becomes untenable, people will need to escalate their involvement:

“Democracy will have to defend itself. Congress, the courts, the civil service, the media, civic institutions — ultimately, the citizenry itself — will have something to say about it.”

 

27 thoughts on “How to Survive the New Political Reality”

  1. I like your strategy of “looking inside first”. People are not powerless. We all take responsibility for our own lives. Also I am in alignment with you on rediscovering our calming strategies. I just starting an online course for mindfulness and meditation and am enjoying it so much.

    1. Still the Lucky Few

      When I feel jolted by events, I realize there is something I need to do—look after my spiritual well-being. Nothing works if I don’t do this! Thanks, Robert. I’m glad you are enjoying your new course!

    1. Still the Lucky Few

      Well, yes, I would be. However the nature of my support these days is to donate my time by writing. So I’ll look it up and definitely include it in a piece I may do in the future. Thanks, Jean.

  2. I admire your devotion to the good of the world. While I too am concerned, as are my friends, our media “addiction” pales in comparison to yours. Having said that, while I’ve always been a devotee of the morning news, I find myself making sure I tune in early when the “serious” news is covered. Hopefully you’ll soon be able to resume your regular chores and settle in to complete your novel.

    1. Still the Lucky Few

      So funny that you should say that! I dusted off the novel and started work on it today…it’s clear that you read my mind!

  3. Diane, this is a wonderful essay about taking positive steps to change your government. I hope a lot of Americans read it because as the saying goes, a journey of a thousand miles starts with one step. Americans, American women especially, need to start taking those steps to bring our government into moderation,

    1. Still the Lucky Few

      Women like you, who are wise and can see the big picture, will own this transition, as they lead the way. Thank you for reaching out!

  4. You may not appreciate it, but I am glad that I don’t live in the USA. There are some citizens of Indian origin there who I know, who are very scared! Two of them have faced abuse suddenly from complete strangers in crowded places. Sad.

    1. Rummuser, I live in Canada, but have taken such a keen interest in recent events in the USA because we are geographically close…our borders touch. One of our past Prime Ministers has likened our status as a mouse sleeping with an elephant, the US being the elephant of course. And through past experience, we know that many of the events that occur there are frequently duplicated here. So we are hoping against hope that the rise of ‘populism’does not carry over here!

  5. Once again, you’ve hit the nail on the head, in my opinion. I too have binge-watched CNN and other news programs, read endless FB posts from friends and fellow HRC supporters, let the housework go, and felt kind of depressed and helpless to stop the steamroller that I fear is coming our way on Jan. 20, 2017. But after several weeks, it’s time to change the sheets, pull up our socks, make some fresh coffee, and get back to work supporting the Progressive agenda and opposing the regressive one that includes bigotry, sexism, ageism, misogyny, press denigration, selfishness, and other bad stuff. I’ve donated a big check to the ACLU, and smaller ones to organizations that work to save wolves and wild horses, rescue feral cats, help innocent people get out of prison, work for social justice, and defend the environment. Our work is just beginning — again.

    1. Still the Lucky Few

      I know we have all been there before, baby boomers especially. You will be back in the front lines, for sure. You all understand the power that can be sourced when people think and work together. We in Canada will have to find ways to support you. Stay positive, Rin.

    1. Still the Lucky Few

      Thoughts and fears are much harder to cope with at night, that’s a given. When I’m kept awake by my worries, I admit I sometimes call in on my blogging friends, and find comfort through the connections there.

  6. You are so correct — we U.S. folks need to be active and could do well to jump right into doing so at the local level. Our first national office elections will be in two years — 2018 — when many U.S. Senate seats and a few House of Representative seats will be contested. We really need to start work on preserving those we have and gaining any new ones, so need to pay attention to who we want in these positions based on their actions during these next two years. It’s shameful that over 45% of our population didn’t bother to vote this past Presidential election — educated voters are needed. I, too, hope Canada is able to resist this populist movement sweeping too many nations. Some of our citizens, think of Canada as an optional place to which they might move depending on what happens here. Best they stay to preserve our democratic republic.

    1. Still the Lucky Few

      Have to admit we have some very rightist thinkers here too. Although I don’t meet anyone who is racist or consumed with anger (it’s a peaceful retirement community) I am aware that these ideas exist here too. So we have work to do as well.

  7. Hi Dianne! Great post and I appreciate your concern about the politics here in the U.S. As you said above, you are affected even if you don’t live here–everyone around the world will be in one way or another. But as I think you know, I agree with you that we must find our own peace within before we can have any positive change on the world outside of us. Only when we are strong and focused will we be able to do what it takes in the days to come. As an optimist I tend to believe that we will find the good in this, even if it is to rally the people four years from now to make sure it never happens again! ~Kathy

    1. Still the Lucky Few

      Thanks, Kathy!I’m somewhere between an optimist and an alarmist, probably! I visit your blog regularly and am always happy to read your optimistic and wise (Smart) words. Our strength, as you say, comes from inside, and we really need to stay focused and pledge to work together. Amidst all of the negative things that are being said about social media, our online friendships stand out as truly beneficial.

    1. Still the Lucky Few

      Reasons to worry are not letting up, I’m afraid. Every day brings new situations that are troubling. So we do need to keep our guard up. Thanks, Aunt Beulah.

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