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“Every election is determined by the people who show up.”
― Larry J. Sabato
It’s election season and anxiety is high all around. Anxiety is high in the media and in our elected officials' holding office and in those running for office.
Many of you have spoken to me about your fears and worries. Many of you are working on efforts to get out the vote and educate voters. Many of you continue your efforts in service and justice work. Many of you are afraid that you can’t do enough or that what you do isn’t enough.
It’s a challenge to face the demands of everyday life, let alone stay healthy and whole, when we are in a stew of worry and fear. Here are a few things to consider in the weeks ahead as we come up to the election.
- Balance doing and being. We humans need both to be healthy and whole.
Do what you can. Rev. Sara puts out a monthly Faith in Action Digest and a weekly action list (in the Tuesday weekly update.) There are so many opportunities, and Rev. Sara does the curation for us. Pick one thing and do that thing. Your thing and my thing and everyone else’s things put together can accomplish great things!
Take time to be. Rest. Socialize. Have fun. Be in nature. Do what fills you up, because these times need us to be filled up and ready for what comes next.
If you’d like more information on the Timberland Regional Library levy, watch the after-service forum from October 11.
- Limit your media intake. Media is designed to pull us in and take over our minds and emotions. Resist the pull. Use tools like setting a timer or asking a friend or family member to help bring you back into the world at a certain time.
You can also limit your media sources to those you trust, that are balanced, and that don’t manipulate. Identify what sources increase your stress level and use those sparingly, if at all.
And consider limiting your intake to news that is actually new. Do you really need to read the analysis of that analysis, or a rehash of something that happened already?
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Make a plan for election night. Consider what will help you feel connected and supported. OUUC will be open on election night from 5:30-9 pm. We’ll have quiet space, TV space, and game/conversation space. And snacks! Come be in community as we face the results together.
- Plan for the day after the election. What will help you decompress and come down from the hype and anxiety of the election?
In any election, there are some wins and some losses. What will help you feel restored and ready for what comes next, no matter how the results turn out? Rest? Conversation? Socialization? Action? Take care as much as you can on Wednesday.
As I said in the sermon last Sunday, in a sea of chaos, we can be an island of coherence; a place of care, cooperation, clarity, stability, and shared purpose. This is a time to honor your humanness and our collective humanity. Take good care of yourself and each other these next weeks.
See you on election night!
Blessings,
Rev. Mary
Minister@ouuc.org
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