the hot goddess

A Midlife Reminder to America

It was a sleepless night here in Portugal, followed by a day filled with conversations and angst today after…well…what happened yesterday, November 5, in my birth country of America.

I have had one hour and 20 minutes of sleep in the last 24 hours, but a text just now from a childhood friend in the United States has revived me. It’s a post her daughter saw on Facebook, and I want to share it with you here. 

You are awakening to the same country you fell asleep to. 
The very same country. 
Pull yourself together. 
And, when you see me, do not ask me,"What do we do now? How do we get through the next four years?" 
Some of my ancestors dealt with at least 400 years of this under worse conditions. 
Continue to do the good work. Continue to build bridges, not walls. Continue to lead with compassion. Continue the demanding work of liberation for all. Continue to dismantle broken systems large and small. Continue to set the best example for the children. Continue to be a vessel of nourishing joy. 
Continue right where you are. Right where you live into your days. 
Do so in the name of The Creator, who expects nothing less from each of us. 
And if you are not "continuing" ALL of the above in community, partnership, and collaboration? What is it you have been doing? What is it you are waiting for? 

Source: Facebook

I am not religious, and “The Creator” part of this message does not speak to me, but the reminders here lift my spirits with a positive message.

Here’s to more bridges, compassion, community, and vessels of nourishing joy. Here’s to setting the best examples for children… and for our world.

All images are my own.

The Hot Goddess

Instagram: retired_rewired_inspired

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33 comments

  2. I have been fighting tears since I woke up at 3:30 AM and checked the result. I am going to keep on doing the next right thing and the next loving thing–and that will likely mean a fight. And when we fight–we win. This was just one battle.

    I’m also updating my passport and keeping my options open. That’s another piece of this reality.

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  3. Thanks for passing along this uplifting message Natalie. I, for one, remember past bleak times (I was born during Jim Crow) and know better days will come.

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    • Thank you, Christopher. I was born in 1960, when Jim Crow was still alive and well in my parents’ home state of Alabama. They could not vote, use the public library, sit where they wanted in public establishments, and much more due to the color of their skin. We experienced bleak times of racial hatred up north in Ohio as well. Better days are cyclical. Here’s to their return. ❤️

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  4. This is such a powerful and important message, Natalie, but it feels like first people have to grieve. This lot doesn’t give a fig about compassion or fairness, and the heartbreaking reality is that everyone who voted for him and his “allies” knew that. We won’t give up the fight for a compassionate and just world – for everyone, of course, but this is a sad step backwards for America and the world.

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  5. I am just devastated. Can I come move in with you?? haha Seriously though, I’ve been needing to grieve. I’ve been crying since last night and this morning driving into work. I should of called out sick. This is such a kick in the gut. I really thought she was going to win. I guess I just didn’t think there was that much hatred and ignorance here and I’m honestly still in shock and scared for all of us. Especially for women. 😦 With all the Trump’s red flags and still getting the popularity vote, I just question what America really has become. A country full of dangerous, misogynistic, racist, uneducated idiots filled with hate and I really am questioning now whether to even stay in this country. I feel so lost because this doesn’t feel like my home anymore.

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  7. I’m beyond being incredulous with how things here are constantly devolving.
    But I have become more determined to not let – well – yesterday – poison my life, vision, hope. Other nations, peoples, generations, societies have gone through (and many still do deal with) greater ‘difficulties’. I gain strength knowing that.
    peace always & hugs from your home country
    ps-if you’re able to catch Kamala’s concession speech – give it a listen. 🙂

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  10. It’s been a hard day because I was cautiously optimistic. I read that same post on Facebook, and it does help keep things in perspective. I’m going to adopt my son’s philosophy (he’s a football coach). He says after a tough loss, he gives himself 24 hours to get over it and then he moves on. I plan to do the same. What’s the point of sulking longer than that?

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