Whoo, can we all take a collective exhale in the wake of the US election. Now, it’s time for healing, time to get out of our heads and into our hearts.
The reaction
CNN commentator, Van Jones’ on air reaction to the election finally being called deeply touched my heart and soul. You could viscerally feel the intense emotion flowing out of him.
His words so moving, “It’s easier to be a parent this morning. It’s easier to tell your kids character matters, it matters. Tell them the truth matters. Being a good person matters.” BIPOC and so many other marginalized people have been waiting to exhale not only for the last 4 years, but their entire lives, not to mention the generations before them.
History in the making
Biden will become the 46th President of the United States, and Kamala Harris making history as the first woman to become Vice-President, and not just any woman but a Black and South Asian woman and daughter of immigrants. This image of her standing next to row upon row of predominantly old, white men who have held the office previously is startling yet such a welcome sight.
Kamala Harris, Vice-President of the United States
It fills us with hope. It reminded me of when Obama become President in 2008. There was such joy and hope then too.
My wish is that not only the American people but people around the world will be patient as Biden and Harris try to bring calm to chaos, to unite the nation. It will be an uphill battle but one that needs to happen.
We’re human beings
In this time of chaos, a pandemic, racial injustice, economic upheaval, climate change, and unprecedented political unrest, how do we come together? A time when we are becoming more and more polarized as a society over everything from politics to face masks. How do we come together as human beings?
That’s the one thing we have in common. We’re all human beings. We all have a heart. Most of us don’t listen with our hearts. In fact, most of us don’t listen at all. If we could just silence the world for one day and listen, it would be profound. The world was silenced when we went into lockdown but we didn’t silence ourselves.
Peering into the soul
This brings me back to an experience I had many years ago now. I was at a “Me First” Retreat run by Betty Healey and her husband, Jim. There was an exercise on the 2nd day where we had to partner up. I sat face to face with a woman I had only met the day before. We each had to peer into the other’s eyes and see what we could see. I believe it was only for a minute but it felt like a lifetime. We did not say a word. I can honestly say it was the most vulnerable, intimate, and powerful moment I have ever spent with anyone. By the end, we both had tears streaming down our faces. It was like peering into each other’s souls, feeling each other experiences, emotions, and pain.
Could you imagine if this is how we could resolve our conflicts? How two people of different race, religion, culture, gender, status could see into each other’s souls? How two politicians could come together on an issue? Think of how the world could be a better place? Imagine. Can you feel that in your body, in your heart?
Yes, now is the time to get out of heads and into our hearts.
Leave you with this quote
I leave you with this beautiful quote from Jeanette LeBlanc: “Because in our pain we must find each other – mirror to mirror the grace of our shared humanity, the stunningly broken beauty of our shared grief. And you can let your grief see my grief and let our tears mingle into some kind of healing alchemy, and you’ll know what I know. That we are never alone. I promise. You and me? We are never, ever alone.” ~ Jeanette LeBlanc
Until next time,
~ Colleen
I’m a recovering Chartered Accountant and Breast Cancer Champion turned Fashion Designer. My COKANNA Canadian-made bamboo clothing is all about comfort and style. Giving back to the community is important to me so I support Rethink Breast Cancer‘s metastatic breast cancer education, support, and advocacy work.
