How will we get through another four years?
My dear Kindred Spirit,
Yesterday was a rough day. I knew it would be, and I couldn’t get myself to send out a Monday Money Missive. Any topic I could think to write about seemed trivial compared to the inauguration here in the US and all that it brings with it.
My clients are worried. My kids are scared. Those of us who barely got through the last Trump regime wonder how we will possibly manage another four years. How do we get through the upheaval, the hatred and bigotry, the short-sighted greed without a huge cost to our mental health?
My beloved bestie and co-conspirator, Linda Katz, and I recorded a podcast episode about this, so I won’t repeat everything we said here. However, I do want to emphasize the #1 thing that makes the difference for me.
Community.
If you don’t have a community you can be with that is uplifting and nourishing and supportive, find one. Or create one. Better yet, find a few.
These do not have to be politically focused. They can simply be groups of people with whom you have a shared interest or purpose, and with whom you feel seen, heard and safe. With whom you feel uplifted.
And, if you’re like me and are an anomaly in your larger family system, I highly recommend limiting your time with the people you love who were celebrating yesterday. I personally do not believe in cutting off relationships with people in my life who vote differently than I do (though sometimes it’s tempting). I have shed tears over it, and I’ve spent a lot of time wondering how their values can be so different, but I don’t talk with them much about any of it. And sometimes I can’t be with them, or talk with them at all. I allow myself that space when I need it.
So how about you? How are you getting through these challenging times? Please share in the comments. Let’s build some community right here.
with love,
Laura
P.S. If you’re looking to create more community with some fabulous people in business, please join Suzanne Culberg and me at our next Networking Without Schmooze event on Wednesday, January 22nd at 3pm eastern. You can sign up here to get the Zoom link and the reminders. We always have a good time!
I have decided to keep moving forward. Last night I was scared. I was worried that so many things could change in really big ways this year - are my plans for the year even possible?
This morning, I was inspired to create my vision for a year from now. It was really detailed and filled with hope. I acknowledged that things outside my control could come and make things difficult, but I was led to believe that in a year, a lot of really good things could be possible.
I feel it was a letter from my Higher Self to me giving me reassurance and hope.
Honestly, I have to say that I long to have some power over this situation! I want to have the power to fire these government officials that are making a mockery of our government. I care deeply for this country, even though that sounds naive and silly to most. But I do.
And for the first time in my life, I want to have power. I have never wanted that. I have never asked for it. But I am so tired of seeing people in power play dead in this situation. No one seems to have the courage to stand up to these people and say, no! And to bar them from participating in government when they have the legal authority to do so!
I told my daughter this morning that we, the people in power, have said that it is perfectly acceptable to do and say horrible things, to break the law, to pervert the power of this office, because we will do nothing to stop you. Nothing.
I am so tired of feeling impotent and powerless! I want to have power so that I can take action when others are too cowardly and timid to do so! ( And yes, I can now see the pandora box that I open by saying this. But this is what I feel in this moment. And I'm not going to delete this, even though I feel I should.)
In the meantime, I am going to focus on what I can do in my corner of the world - to follow my dreams and desires for this year and make them happen!
Creating, creating, creating.... Little things, artwork, and the experiences that reflect more of the world I want to live in.