In this great heavy time, We have faced trials only our ancestors long passed could know, We have had great worry laid upon our chests, with the turning of the clock, Forward Into another year, Let us find peace, And make peace with the days that have passed, Let our expectations be as much as we can bear, And yet our hope for the future ever growing, In this year, Let us see life with eyes brand new, With an appreciation from the trials faced, Of the new day, of a baby’s breath, of the privilege of monotony Let us celebrate spirit when the ordinary occurs, For oh do we know The grief of lost normalcy, Let us be joyous For it is a new day, Joyous, For this now is our time,
Spirit as we awaken To the renewed beauty and gift that is life, May we find comfort and protection, From the world’s great unknowns, And knowledge that in our struggles We are not alone.
I have always been passionate about politics. Growing up, my father was an avid follower of the 24-hour news cycle. What was an annoyance in childhood, of hearing the news announcers, became an accepted and welcomed part of my life by the time I was in adolescence. The first time I was aware of the importance of the presidential election was in 2000, during the Bush v. Gore election.
It was quite an election to welcome one into the world of politics, as there was nothing normal about this election. As day after day followed the close of polls, and the counting of pregnant and hanging chads continued, I was both confused and intrigued by this process. So much was at stake! The fate of the free world rested on an imperfect electoral process. This was much to take in at the formidable age of 12–weren’t adults supposed to have all the answers? Had no one already foreseen these issues and outfitted a solution in advance?
20 years later I have already voted in the 2020 presidential election, and with the complexities and conflicts of the current two-party system feel more reassured that my ballot will be counted. The election date has not yet arrived, but the pressure is on, from both sides. Local channels air political ads, back-to-back, between shows and on commercial breaks, likewise on the radio. It is hard to avoid the politics, that along with the coronavirus has taken over the nation. I am aware that not all electoral cycles are as tenuous, but presently fear and uncertainty for the future are in the balance for individuals nationwide with elections. And thus, I am thinking not just about my own hopes for election outcomes, but for the safety and wellbeing of others as they endure these stressors.
With the tension of this election, I pray you have space for peace of mind. Moments of deep breathing and relaxing, with eyes closed, time to remember the self and that which is being worked for, not just the repetition of political ads and their fear mongering tactics. Breathe. Find means of enjoying the day and may it ground you. May you find yourself amidst chaos that is around you. Feel your body as it is positioned here on earth, in this space and time. Remember who and where you are.
I hope you might partake in efforts to find grounding on your own, and thus I have included a link to a short video detailing and exercising some grounding techniques.
As the election comes and goes, with whatever results we are left with may you find piece and use these small measures to stay grounded and focused in your own life.
Rev. Vanessa Titang 