Post-Election Hope

        America is currently facing some major issues.  Whether you voted Republican or Democrat, Green party or write in, whether you truly support our elected president, or abhorred to the two main candidates, there is no denying that we have gotten ourselves into somewhat of a pickle.  Whether Trump truly supports the violence and hate that has occurred in his name, or not, there is no doubt that violence and hate have increased in the days since the election.  At the same time, can we truly expect one person to have any control over this?  Do we truly believe that a different president could have changed that way that all citizens of America behave, what they believe, and how they live their lives?  I propose that the answer is, no.  It’s impossible for one person to have that much power over each and every person.  We, in fact, are the people and we control the beliefs, the actions, and the trajectory of this nation.   
       I recently read a chapter from the Bible that I feel really spoke to our situation, proposing a solution to some of our greatest issues.
         Romans Chapter 12, the Message (paraphrased version of the Bible)
^9-10 Love from the center of who you are; don’t fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle.
...
^14-16 Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they’re happy; share tears when they’re down. Get along with each other; don’t be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don’t be the great somebody.
^17-19 Don’t hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you’ve got it in you, get along with everybody. Don’t insist on getting even; that’s not for you to do. “I’ll do the judging,” says God. “I’ll take care of it.”
^20-21 Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he’s thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness.  
Don’t let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good.
(emphasis mine)
    I would argue that this is how we combat what is going on in our country.  This is how we "get the best of evil:" by "doing good."  My plea for those who are upset by the happenings in the country not to live their lives blaming others, but live their lives improving the lives of others.  "Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good."  "Don't insist on getting even," because whether you believe in God and judgement or not, everyone should understand that an eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.  We should be the people who "surprise the enemy," whoever that may be, not by returning their evil, but by "buying them lunch," or committing some other act of random kindness.  Centuries of history have proven that doing good is so much more effective than doing evil.  This small passage of scripture holds so many ideas for filling the world with good, as well as a promise of hope for what that can do.  I believe that we the people are in charge of the mood, beliefs and actions of this country, and we need to start doing our part right now.  In other words:        

This is the darkness all around us

But this is how we "overcome the darkness"*

      It's not rocket science.  I would like to commend my Aunt, a professor at the U of I, who hung this poster on her door:

       One little poster is one light that overcomes the darkness, and in the face of many lights the darkness cannot hide.  The small acts of kindness and protection, actively working toward and seeking out what we believe in in a positive, productive way, are what bring light to the darkness.  I beg you, stop blaming, and start making a difference today. 






*This is the "words with light" project Clara and I created, thanks Clara.  =)

A New Home, but the Same Good Neighbors

Hello friends, and welcome to the worst week I can remember.
Reasons:
I'm sick with a cold- and though not the debilitating kind, it has taken my voice and left me with an extremely sore throat. 
I also still can't run, and am having other recurring muscular issues.
I have a stressful audition this weekend for playing in a college orchestra.
I don't have enough time to put into the club I lead, though I am responsible for many things happening in the near future.
Everyone is in utter distress because Donald Trump won the election.
Our refrigerator and freezer have been broken for the past four days.
And, on top of it all, my family is moving today, which I'm not excited about.
Naturally, this week has upset me, to tears at some points, and yet, I'm kind of surprised by how well I'm holding up.  In fact, I'm still my positive, joyful self.  While on one level I don't know how that's possible, I also completely know how it's possible.  Unlike most people, my perpetual happiness and positivity don't come from circumstances.  That's the difference between happiness and joy.  I can have joy even when life is terrible because my hope is not in circumstances, but in God's divine plan to work through my circumstances. 
The fact is, I can see God at work through everything that's happening. My friends and family have been the greatest "neighbors" I could ever ask for.  My mom is extremely stressed with all sorts of problems cropping up at work, trying to take care of all of us, and moving at the same time.  Yet, she has been such a rock for me this week.  The other morning she made me tea, and has done the best she can to fill coolers with ice so we can have cold foods despite the failing refrigerator.  My friend Annemarie has been such a help as well: making me cookies, bringing my family dinner, cheering me up, and offering to help me unpack all of this evening.  In general I'm a very independent person, and so don't often get to appreciate this experience of being completely supported by other people.  Yet, this is an important part of the "neighbor" experience that I often forget.  While it's nice for neighbors to occasionally show that they care, you don't necessarily appreciate fully the unconditional love others have for you until you are so fully dependent that you don't know what you'd do without them. 
Dearest Neighbors, I thank God for you every day, especially this week.