Photo Credit: Unsplash Ditto Bowo
Written by Audrey Weidman
Most of the world was aware that November 5, 2024 was the presidential election in the United States. After voting earlier that day, I knew it was unlikely that definitive results would come in before I went to bed. The race was too close to call.
As a two time heart attack survivor, I know how important it is to remain calm. I chose not to go down the rabbit hole of getting caught up in election coverage. Instead, my husband and I watched a movie. Afterwards I went upstairs because my husband was itching to see the results. I didn’t need to know and if the news wasn’t “good”, I didn’t want to fret over it right before bed.
Upstairs I did all my “going to bed” rituals. I mindfully brushed my teeth, washed my face, changed into my favorite pajamas. And by mindfully, I mean truly being present in the moment with my senses and experiencing them. Most of the time those rituals are on autopilot, but I was (and am) making a concerted effort to be present in the moment.
This is important because in the present moment we are safe. But left unchecked, our minds tend to ruminate about the past, or create anxiety about the future.
We forget that we have a choice over what we think! I didn’t need to spiral down if the election results were not congruent with my values. So when my mind wandered, I reined it back in. I then did a meditation and was sleeping when my husband came to bed.
I woke up in the middle of the night, and it took me a few minutes to realize that there might be “news”. But I did not look online. I did another meditation. I finally went downstairs for breakfast and didn’t look at election results right away. I played some uplifting music, I made my coffee and savored it, I let the dog out and then fed him. I made my favorite kind of “loaded” oatmeal and enjoyed the flavor and textures. It was comforting and a pleasant way to start the day.
Photo by The Now Time on Unsplash
Finally my husband came into the kitchen and shared the news. It was looking like there was going to be a Republican sweep! Trump, the Senate, and even the House of Representatives.
I was surprisingly calm about it and would like to share some insights and lessons I learned during this election season.
Regulate Your Emotional Environment for Resilience
Like most people, I had strong feelings about the election. It was stressful for the collective. But through my coach training, especially in Positive Intelligence, I created an environment for resilience. I managed the intake of news and focused on what uplifted and strengthened me.
Find Peace in Acceptance and Shift Focus
Half of us didn’t get the outcome we wanted and we didn’t have control over it anyway. But I am so very grateful we live in a democracy. Accepting the election outcome is part of democracy. In doing so we fulfill our role in it while giving us a sense of personal peace of doing our part – regardless of the outcome.
Contribute Positively to the Collective Energy
We all have a “ripple effect”. Our energy impacts those around us – so why not be positive? Emotional contagion is real. When we stay centered and uplifted, we protect not only our own mental health but also influence the collective mood of our community.
Embody Values through Aligned Action
I challenge you to walk your talk – be your very best self! As leaders we are called upon to engage compassionately and practice curiosity as an act of love. These are ways to live out our personal values authentically, creating more inclusivity and cohesion.
Be a Force for Connection over Division
We can bridge divides through curiosity, storytelling, and neighborly kindness. It reminds us of what we have in common with one another. By cultivating connections with people who may be different from you, you help to build a more empathetic and resilient society.
For more on this topic you might find this article published by the Center for the Greater Good at Berkeley to be helpful.
They posed this question to a variety of thought leaders.
“What is one step we can take toward a more inclusive, cohesive, and compassionate society?”
Here are some of the responses:
- Keep doing what matters to you and the world
- Practice curiosity as an act of love
- Work to promote your values in community
- Get to know “other” humans
- Be a good neighbor, even (and especially) to those who are different
- Choose nuance, not outrage
- Become a nation of debaters
- Tell your story
- Invite people in
I think we can all agree that there is room to become a more united country, these are great responses to ponder. If you are curious about how I help people to stress less while stepping into their best selves, I invite you to schedule a FREE discovery call with me. Book that right here.
About Audrey Weidman – Heart Attack Survivor Coach
Certified Trauma Informed Clear Beliefs Coach, Certified Stress Mastery Educator. Helping heart attack survivors reclaim their peace, positivity & confidence by discovering disempowering beliefs, rewriting those beliefs, & reinforcing new beliefs.
Book a free discovery call at https://empowermyheart.com/
Website: https://audreyweidman.com/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/audrey.rosemeyer.weidman
LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/audreyweidman/
708-217-9414
Audrey contributes to the Wild About Wellness Community online where members passionate about holistic health and wellness come together to share information, educate and contribute for the purpose of learning and growing. You are invited to explore the site with a free 1-month membership. Get your 1-month free membership HERE. Register for our FREE monthly events HERE