It is almost sacred.
It is the most powerful
non-violent tool
we have in a democracy.
~ John Lewis
Today is election day 2020. From my journal entry this morning:
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Dear Holy Spirit,
Last evening while John was showering I picked up his phone to take photos for him of his PT care plan from his online chart. A text message popped up. John was urging another to vote, saying, “We might be able to turn this thing around for Trump if enough people turn out to vote.” His next message was saying that he plans to vote in person today.
When I told John I wished he would have voted by absentee ballot, his response was, “It’s as safe as shopping.”
We have had friends shopping for us since we got home from Florida on April 6, using Instacart until they could manage the risks of shopping themselves. They have done this for our safety as John is considered high risk with diabetes and having been on steroid therapy for polymyalgia this past year.
I put the question into the search engine: ‘How safe is in-person voting?’
I saw those exact same words John had used! “The risk of voting in person is comparable to the risk of going to the grocery store.” Of course… The article went on to say any amount of risk may be too great for those who fall into the high-risk category — or live with someone who does. “That includes older adults, individuals with diabetes, and those with cancer or compromised immune systems are are at greater risk of severe complications from COVID-19.”
I was understandably disappointed.
The subject line from The Tapping Solution this morning:
49% of People will be Disappointed Today.
I had the opportunity to get a head start!
Or not….
At 9:30 pm EST Deep Spring Meditation Center will open a ZOOM meditation hall. The hall will remain available until tomorrow night so our sangha can gather. We plan to read encouraging words from the Mala Recollection: When wholesome thoughts arise, cultivate the wholesome. When unwholesome thoughts arise, abandon the unwholesome…. Tend the contents of the mind with compassion as a mindful gardener tends his garden. We will chant. We will pray. We will meditate. We will sing.
A friend shared the link to the University of Michigan’s Virtual Choir. She was most moved by the finale which was 300 people singing Enya’s “How Can I Keep from Singing?” (lyrics slightly altered to match the choir).
Through all the tumult and the strife,
I hear its music ringing,
It sounds an echo in my soul.
How can I keep from singing?…
No storm can shake my inmost calm,
While to that rock I´m clinging.
Since Love is lord of heaven and earth
How can I keep from singing?
(If you’re interested this song starts at 53:25.)
Sound (singing, chanting, drumming, humming) has been scientifically proven to bring us back to our hearts.
Following the amazing Enya song, Melanie DeMore breaks into a wonderfully happy ‘Lead with Love.” Here are the lyrics:
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You gotta put one foot in front of the other
And lead with love
Put one foot in front of the other
And lead with love
(repeat all 4 lines)
Verses (call and response):
Don’t give up hope
You’re not alone
Don’t you give up
Keep movin’ on
Lift up your eyes
Don’t you despair
Look up ahead
The path is there
I know you’re scared
And I’m scared too
But here I am
Right next to you
Words & music (c) Melanie DeMore.
(usually sung a cappella)
Melanie DeMore gets my vote!
People knowing how to move themselves up the emotional scale gets my vote. People putting one foot in front of the other gets my vote. People leading with love gets my vote.
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Lift up your eyes, don’t you despair.
Look up ahead, the path is there.
How can we keep from singing?
-
I know you’re scared, and I’m scared too.
But here I am, right next to you.
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