Erased and replaced so many times.
I prefer not to get political but considering circumstances the subject seems inevitable.
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When I was ten we had a pretend election in school. We got to vote for the president of USA and we got to choose between George W. Bush and Al Gore. I voted for Bush.
I had no idea what he stood for but his name was Bush and I thought it was funny. Imagine, a Bush for president in The States. And he won our pretend election. And the real one too.
I'd like to think that the voters of that election (2000) and this one (2016) did not vote out of the same grounds as I did as a ten-year-old. Because "it was funny."
Because it's not.
Granted, Donald Trump may be different from conventional politicians, but is it really the force for change that USA needs? For a moment I felt the same kind of dread as was felt when Sweden Democrats entered parliament and then later became the third largest party in the Swedish Parliament.
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We must not get infuriated or think that the ones with a opinion differing from ours are stupid. They have their reasons. Wether it is change, economy, personal gain, immigration politics, a sense of rebellion or because of not letting the family voting traditions down is of little importance to me.
What I want to talk about today is a quality which is not valued very high in our society or amongst the people with power. A quality which any decent human being has. The quality which makes us help each other (be they close ones or strangers), bridge the gaps of fear or ignorance and replace it with understanding and acceptance. This quality is one that heals, builds and brings hope for humanity.
I'm talking about compassion.
And should not the people with power first and foremost be decent human beings?
Why is compassion seemingly valued so little today? So far I have not seen any compassion from Donald Trump and this is one of the strongest reasons why I believe he will not make any wise decisions.
I refuse to think all hope is lost. Of course I am worried for a country which can elect someone who may base their decisions on the values opposing compassion. Someone who does not believe in climate change (as if it was some sort of conspiracy?) but acts out personal gain, out of fear or hate or judgement. A swelling ego without an open mind.
It's a beautiful day.
The sun is turning the early snow into subtle glitter and the sky is unapologetically blue.
I refuse to surrender to fear or hopelessness.
There are decent human beings out there and we must strive to be part of them.
We must grow and nurture our compassion. It must not be mistaken for weakness. Because it can feel disempowering when we see only the problem and no given solution. It is actually a strength and the pain we feel when we can't help is just a pinpoint we're heading down the right path.
I'd even go as far as to say compassion is a superhero strength.
It can make us do incredible things.
Believe in it.
Believe you have the power.
Don't fall into the trap of waiting for the hero.
Because it is you.
And if you need someone to pick you
and tell you that you are the chosen one
THEN I PICK YOU NOW
and if you feel unprepared for the task know that all heroes felt like that.
Your life has prepared you and will continue to do so
challenging you with opportunities for growth.
All change in the world starts with you.
If you want peace.
Find it within yourself first.
Then show it to the world and help it feel it too.
If you don't know where to start there are a great deal of Ted Talks on the subject of compassion and empathy. Get inspired. Get empowered. Shake the world in a gentle way.
Off to the yoga mat.
PEACE IN.
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