Whew! The midterms are finally over. The speeches and mudslinging have mostly stopped. Well, except for a few states where votes are still being counted – or recounted. Maybe your preferred candidates won. Maybe not. It’s time to get past the mudslinging and anger.
Reality check: No matter how elated or disappointed you are about the outcome of this last election, what’s in the rear view mirror can’t be changed. We live in the present, not the past.
It’s time to do what we can to make the present better.
Time to move beyond “us versus them” attitudes that divide and paralyze.
That whole “you guys suck and we’re the only ones with any good ideas” business is bad news for everybody.
I don’t know about you but I’m sick to death of politicians who take the low road (and some of their supporters) who hurl demeaning comments and slurs at anyone who dares to disagree with them.
Fed up with rampant disrespect and disregard for others.
Disgusted with the constant onslaught of insults and lies instead of integrity and decency.
Why aren’t people demanding a heck of a lot better from our elected officials?
Why aren’t we demanding better from ourselves?
What ever happened to the idea that America is a welcoming country where opportunities are open to everyone?
When did anger and resentment replace compassion and concern for others?
Why aren’t religious leaders standing up and speaking out for those who have no power, no voice?
And I wonder what drives a few among us to commit horrific acts of violence against Jews, immigrants, and people of color?
Have we gotten so numb to the daily outrages and cruelty that the only ones who matter are those who look, believe, act, and love just like our “tribe?”
I’m flat-out sick of all this! And I hope you are too. Because when enough of us decide we’ve had it with this, we can start fixing this mess. Together we can rebuild a sense of shared community. Restore our faith in each other. Recommit to shared values. Make the present a little bit better. And build a future we can all feel good about.
It’s about time we figured out that keeping the American dream alive is going to take ALL of us.
And it’s definitely way past time we stopped putting up with what we know is wrong and begin standing up for what we know is right. Silence is being complicit.
It’s time to ignore the loudest voices in the room when those voices don’t reflect our values.
Time to speak out against racism. And injustice. And prejudice. Even when it’s unpopular or scary or makes some people uncomfortable.
If you still believe that integrity matters, act like it.
Get to work.
Do something about it.
If compassion still lives in your heart, help someone in need. Don’t make a big deal out of it. Just lend a hand.
Make a difference in someone’s life.
It’s OK to start small.In fact, that’s how change usually happens.
What needs fixing?
Who needs a little help?
What are you going to do about it?
What are you waiting for? You know what to do. Get on it!
America’s got its share of problems. But little by little, with all of us working together – instead of against each other — we can solve them.
It’s going to take all of us. We can change what needs changing. No, not overnight. But that’s no excuse not to get started.
So what do you say? Are you ready to roll up your sleeves and get to work?
We are all stronger and better when we work together.
Together we can create a world of beauty, transformation, and hope.
10,000 Butterflies is dedicated to planting hope and growing change. Every one of us has the power to create positive change — in our own lives and in the lives of others. Together we can solve problems and build stronger communities. 10,000 Butterflies is a place to connect with others making good things happen, to find resources, to be inspired and to celebrate what connects us instead of what divides us.
Please join us.
Bonnie Pond is the founder of the 10,000 Butterflies Project and author of The Power of Three: How to be Happy and Get What You Want in Life (Without Doing Anything Illegal, Immoral, or Unethical) and Unlock Your Creativity: 30 Days to a More Creative YOU!
