Joy is a Choice

This blog is a departure from my decision to not bring up politics in my weekly postings but we are in desperate times and I have vowed to do everything I can to support the outspoken courageous people who believe in our country. I strive to be one of them.

For starters, can we talk about being “spiritual” without having someone roll their eyes? I came of age in the sixties when words like “spiritual” and “new age” and “the Universe” were in our everyday conversations. They meant a great deal to us but unfortunately, they ended up becoming cliches, overused and stripped of meaning. During these days, however, I think being spiritual has great meaning. I see it a broader point of view that doesn’t source from material or physical things. It’s unlimited. It isn’t all about “me.” It includes everyone, everything we can imagine and so much more. It means understanding that we are all connected, we are fellow travelers and even though we might differ on ideas and ideals, we respect each other’s beliefs . . . unless there is negativity and darkness involved.

The above is a prelude to my belief that this election cycle is a spiritual trial. What I mean is that we are being challenged every day to stay focused on what we want to happen instead of what we don’t want to happen. Let’s refuse to succumb to the darkness. Let’s find compassion. Let’s stop living in fear and start trusting each other and ourselves. Let’s choose to do the right thing and vote for Kamala. We need to vote not only for ourselves but for our country and everyone’s freedom. Please don’t decide to skip this one. I’m not suggesting that we can control what happens but we can choose how we want to deal with it. And we can choose what we want to project into the world.

This is a time to face this spiritual trial with strength and mental discipline and put our attention where it can do some good. So many people I speak with say that they are afraid. I understand but it is within our power to stop imagining the worst and start imagining the best. I have decided stop fearing destruction and believe in renewal. The choice is clear.

I have a political guru, Simon Rosenberg, who has a Stubstack account called the Hopium Chronicles. Check out his website and join for five dollars a month. It’ll give you courage and strength. His main message is to stop worrying and start doing what you can. I don’t want to send postcards or make cold calls. I don’t want to send texts. But I donate, I was given an opportunity to speak on the radio show, “The Wave,” and I’m talking to friends about what is at stake.

I remember the programming I received to expect the worst. When I was a kid, my mother kept telling me that I shouldn’t get excited about something because I might get disappointed. Is disappointment a terminal disease? I’ll survive whatever happens so why not take the risk? Many people I know believe that sending out good vibes will attract them right back. It’s important to believe in what we feel and see, no matter how off the beaten track it seems. I’ve seen evidence of miracles. Have you ever had a sudden vision of someone you know in your mind’s eye and the phone rings? Guess who it is. I see this kind of thing as spiritual, something that has undeniably happened but there is no finite explanation.

Kamala appeared suddenly as if by magic and she brought with her joy and light. What I’m about to say may not be popular but I feel that the light will win out. I just heard a former Trump aide, Alyssa Farah Griffin, talk about stepping out of the darkness of an angry man and into the light of a joyful woman, even though many of her beliefs are different. She talked about how relieved she was when people from her opposing party accepted and welcomed her. She is still a Republican, hardly someone who would call herself woo woo, so she is a powerful demonstration of what choosing the spirit of joy is all about. She is showing us how important it is to do whatever it takes to protect what is most precious.

For me, being spiritual requires a lot of trust and faith. I’m not referring religion. I don’t see myself as a religious person. I’m talking about a leap of faith, turning away from what is harmful, taking a dive into not knowing and trusting that something good is waiting for you. I’m talking about making a decision to believe in yourself and trust that whatever obstacle you’re facing, you’ll get through it and come out stronger on the other side if you remain true to yourself.

So let’s stop complaining and start doing. Let’s stop being in fear and choosing hope. Let’s use our mental discipline to point ourselves in the right direction and embrace the good instead of the bad. And let’s help our friends do the same. We can do it.