What Happens Now? (or: Kindness is an Energy)

Yesterday was hard on a lot of folks. I don't care which side of the political spectrum you're on; be extra kind to each other today. Be extra kind to yourself. Spoil yourself. Find something, no matter how simple or small, to look forward to (and feel free to comment and share those things here if you like).

I found myself this morning thinking of the immortal last words of the late Jack Layton, former leader of Canada's NDP party:

”My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world.”

Kindness, empathy, peace, and understanding. These are what will help us move forward. I don't care who you voted for. I don't care which deity you worship or don't worship. I don't care what colour your skin is, what pronouns you use, what gender you identify as, who you choose to love, or what you do with your body. Those are your decisions; I will do my best to respect them, as we all should.

The only way this very divided, bitter, exhausted world heals is if we put the work in to hear each other out, to at least attempt to put ourselves into each other's shoes.

But as I said, that is a CHOICE we ALL must make.

Take a step back instead of making derisive, mocking, vitriolic jabs in comment sections. Try to see things from the other person's perspective. It can be challenging to do, but here's a tip: if you struggle with this, ask questions rather than roll your eyes in dismissal. Be curious.

John Lydon once said that "Anger is an Energy," and he wasn't wrong. It's just an energy that exacts a toll on us as the Dark Side of the Force did on Palpatine. Kindness, though, is ALSO an energy. One far more powerful but also less taxing than anger.

So be kind.

If you can learn to do that, if we ALL can, the world will be a far better place.