Many of us have likely traversed a range of emotions this election season, experiencing the impact on our mind, body, and spirit. I have gone from one extreme to the next—exhausted, energized, concerned, confident, afraid, assured.

There is a time for everything…a time to be silent and a time to speak. (Ecclesiastes 3: 1,7)

It is the time to speak—to use our voice and vote for the values we hold dear, to endorse the leader we believe can advance our hopes and dreams for the United States of America.

While visiting a church in the Bohemian Alps of Nebraska, I lit a candle as a prayer for this very divided country and the election.

May my one voice join with others, especially with marginalized ones, for the good of all. May you be inspired, as was I, by the lyrics of the The Wailin’ Jennys in One Voice:

This is the sound of one voice
One spirit, one voice
The sound of one who makes a choice
This is the sound of one voice

This is the sound of voices two
The sound of me singing with you
Helping each other to make it through
This is the sound of voices two

This is the sound of voices three
Singing together in harmony
Surrendering to the mystery
This is the sound of voices three

This is the sound of all of us
Singing with love and the will to trust
Leave the rest behind, it will turn to dust
This is the sound of all of us

This is the sound of one voice
One people, one voice
A song for every one of us
This is the sound of one voice
Source: Musixmatch

“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” (Matthew 18:20)

Some previous reflections:

Curiosity is good for the soul, and for democracy too!

In Healing the Heart of Democracy: The Courage to Create a Politics Worthy of the Human Spirit, Parker Palmer encourages us to consider “What do I have in common with people who, for example, regard their religious or political convictions as so authoritative that they feel no need to listen to anyone who sees things differently—especially that small subgroup of extremists who would use violence to advance their views?”

This can be difficult. I get it. I know too well how disagreements can escalate, and how estrangements result. I have appreciated discussions where curiosity is a motivation to more deeply understand, but I also know the heartbreak of rejection when another is not interested in my story, feelings, or perspective. Read more here.

A Flag Day Reflection

Reciting the pledge is voluntary for students and teachers. We can recite the pledge either standing or sitting or remain quiet showing respect for those who do participate. It can vary from class to class, but over the years, fewer students are standing. Five years ago, I wondered why a student would not stand. Today, I am more sympathetic to different political views and opinions, and that the flag represents an America that holds unique meaning for each of us, often not a favorable one. (I Pledge Allegiance to the Flag…despite my disappointment, a blog post I wrote in 2017.) Read more here.

Parker Palmer for President: The only political post I will ever make

So what can we do to bring about a revolution of tenderness during this election year when it is all too easy to see what divides us, to dwell on the differences?

My goal for this election season is to be a little more Benedictine: to try a little tenderness; to be more hospitable, to be a little more tolerant of opinions different than my own.  To have more conversations where I simply listen; to be less judgmental; to try to understand why others believe or vote the way they do.  I am not an expert (on hardly anything, let alone politics) and I have a lot to learn. I have a lot to learn about treating others as Christ. Read more here.