I suspect this will be short and sweet… or not so sweet, depending…
My post-election reaction was different from many of my friends, who were running around like Chicken Little, shouting the sky had fallen, the world was over, the impossible had happened, we all had to run, hide, or just keep shrieking until we were hoarse.
I was calm, not hysterical, not even shocked. I confess to muttering a lot, however, and this is what I heard bubbling from my core: “You can’t stop me,” over and over. Who was I talking to and what couldn’t be stopped? I was talking to the president-elect, and I was telling him that neither he nor his enforcers could stop me from doing what I do, from being who I am. I would continue working for what I believe in. I would keep up a flow of support for important causes. I would not be stopped from helping out locally in any small ways I could.
Self-care gurus advise not to take his threats, his promises personally, to try to disengage, remain sane, and focus on productive tasks. I understand that it is best not to fall for his predictions: the immediate deportation of millions, invading Panama, declaring war on civil rights, making the French fry the national vegetable… ok, I’m over the top, but you know what I mean. How easy it is to find your pulse racing in anger and disbelief, as words spew out of your mouth that would shock your grandma. On the other hand, to try to stay objective and disengage is asking too much.
So, I do take it personally, very personally. I imagine the president-elect trying to stop me, Lucy in Santa Fe, from being me, because he thinks I am exactly what’s wrong with this country – liberal, gullible, introspective, thoughtful, and caring. I like to picture him fuming, red-faced, tiny hands flailing the air. “How dare she, the little #$%&#%$*!? Wait til I get my hands on her scrawny neck!” But he would never find me because I would just be doing what I’ve always done, turning up the steam a bit, but keeping a low profile. I would be too little, too local to be a target. But there would be more and more of us, bubbling up, doing daily good in more and more creative ways.
And I have one more challenge for the president-elect. Not only can you not stop me, you can’t make me. You can’t make me do what you want. I will not turn on my immigrant neighbors and friends. I will not seize my neighbor’s backyard because I want their vegetable garden. I will not spew hate and fear. You can’t make me be someone I’m not. So there.
My muttering response to the election has worked pretty well. I’m surprised how powerful I feel, in a quiet, conspiratorial way. I am hoping it will last.
May 2025 bring you power of your own kind.
I love this Lucy! Thank you for reminding us we can continue to do our own good deeds and ignore that fright of a person
I love that “fright of a person”! And we can laugh, there’s power in that, too.
I agree!! Thank you, Julianna, and Lucy, for reminding us to keep on keeping on and ignore “that fright of a person.” If more of us did, including the media, he might just melt, line the Wicked (Warlock) of the West!
Thanks, Joanna! I feel our ranks swelling — hooray!
Lucy,
That’s a real good one!! Thanks,
Teri
Thanks, Teri. Hope all is well with you.
Nothing certain yet, but some friends are trying to organize some “teach in” type events to bring us up to speed on immigrant rights and how we can be supportive. I’ll keep you posted.
Perfect, Les! Thank you so much. We’ve always been kindred spirits, now more than ever.
Thank you, Lucy, I needed that!
Happy to oblige, Eric! Take care.
YES!!!!!!!! I’d recently emerged from Grieving, from numbness and a specifically large need to protect mySelf…in some unknown ways. And you arrived exactly at the right moment for me to receive you and all of your Low Profile/Steam-Turning-Up energies. We’re in painfully Red Montana, tho Dems broke the GOP strangle hold in the state legislature. I welcome your invitation to keep the heat at X-actly the right temperature for ongoing, low-boiling care of each other and the country we intend to continue living in democratically, respectfully, honestly.
So good to hear from you, Lynn. I really like those three adverbs: democratically, respectfully, honestly. I’m going to add them to my mutterings!
Lucy, I appreciate your words, and how you are approaching this incoming administration. My sense of dread has been going up as we get closer to the inauguration. But, I’m gonna follow your lead and continue to live my life, stay on a good path, and do my best over the next 4 years. All of us are stronger knowing we are together, and living our lives with integrity and compassion.
Thanks so much, Cynthia. Always good to hear from you. I think of you often and the way you did your job — integrity and compassion were your strengths. Glad we’re on the same path! Take care.
as Pete Buttigieg said, he likes to provoke, he says stuff just to get in the papers or get your goat
while we can’t totally ignore his shit, your blog explores the right stuff — the value of each of us to keep on
to keep on making this world a better place in whatever way we can
good going Lucy
Thanks, Susan! I really appreciate your comradeship along the way.
I was reasonably certain he would win. Despite Harris’ strong efforts, the die was already cast for anyone associated with the Biden administration, and it allowed me to get a headstart on preparing for the outcome.
The lesson I kept remembering and repeating to myself is the one I learned from my wholistic therapist when I was battling cancer 23 years ago: the key to living is being ever mindful of whose energy you allow in and who you give your energy to. I refuse to take on his dark, demented energy, and I refuse to give him any of my own. From there, we take action just as Lucy outlined, by being who we are, fighting for what we know is needed and not being distracted by his hyperbole.
Thank you, Lewis, powerful lesson… and hard won. I can totally relate — blocking his dark, demented energy, and saving my own energy for those who are worthy.
You put it so clearly, that we need to continue to work for what we believe in. Don’t give in to my vague wish to move out of the country–as though that would solve anything! I am HERE. This is where I belong. I will continue to do my ‘work.’
Good to hear from you, Elizabeth, and glad you’re not moving! We need you right here.
Thank you Lucy for sharing your wise words. They mirror my grief and confusion about the election, and empower my soul to continue steaming forward. As you recommend, doing daily good in more and more creative ways. So there!!
So there, indeed! Picturing you steaming ahead lifts my spirits already. Thanks, Krista.
Lucy,
Thank you again for your insights. It brought hope, not only to me but also to my friends with whom I shared it. You pointed out a path that I can walk.
Love You!
Dearest Dotty — you are my inspiration in how to live life courageously, telling the truth, and having hope. Thank you for all you have given so many. So proud to be walking the path with you. all my love.
I love this Lucy! It’s the right approach.
We can’t run away and hide, and we need to take care of one another, our immigrant neighbors included. There will be frustrating times I’m sure.
And thanks for sharing your cute childhood photo!
Thanks, Seth. I love that picture, somehow speaks to me of charging ahead into the great unknown…. at 5 years old.
Thank you Lucy for encouraging us to keep on the road to doing what we feel needs to be done. We can’t be stopped by a silly man who wants to control us.
Thank you, Zenia. And certainly your life’s passions were — and are — unstoppable!
Lucy, this is excellent. Well spoken, as you always are. And, like you, we live in a rural, semi-rural area. We were not surprised. In part because the democrats did little to truly listen to the needs of the working poor and rural folk. I was gobsmacked (pre-election) with all the hand-wringing by democrats with national visibility who didn’t “get it” why blue collar citizens were abandoning the democratic party when “inflation indicators” and “the stock market” showed “things are getting better”. Well, “economic indicators” and “the stock market” don’t do diddly for you if you still can’t buy groceries, or get decent health care, pay rent or find child care. And who has a stock portfolio if you’re just getting by? Tr**p responded with lies, but at least he responded. Check out our Marie Gluesenkamp-Perez (WA District 3) for the type of Democrat I believe we need right now. She ain’t perfect, but she understands priveledge from both sides.
And yes, we too have decided “take it personally”. And to redouble our efforts here, close to home. I’ve ordered several hats that proclaim my perspective, to counter and provoke discussion with and from those who’ve worn m*g* hats in my midst for the last 8 years. The trucker’s hats say “PEOPLE OVER PROFIT” and “GOD LOVES LGBTQIA+” folk and “WHAT DO YOU CARE WHAT’S IN MY PANTS”. and yes, “BLACK LIVES MATTER” (as the mom of a black woman and grandma to two black 20-somethings, this is still with us, with them, every day). Husband R is starting tonight helping out with a citizenship (and personal safety) class for our immigrant neighbors.
Thank you, Lucy, for you. And I rejoice in seeing responses here from others I admire (thanks, Lewis!). Best, always and with admiration, mcb
What a great bunch of inspiring stuff! Thank you, Martha. Very interesting to hear from your particular corner of the world and so glad you are doing what you’re doing. My husband and I both contributed to Marie’s campaign and hope that she hangs in there. Love to you, dear friend.
Yes! Can’t stop; won’t stop! 🙂
I like that — CAN’T stop, even if we wanted to! Has a feel of great momentum. I’m with you!
Thank you everyone for engaging with this topic; how to live intentionally during the next four years.
Each time I hear how congressman have their electability foremost in their mind, and can be controlled by a vituprious president, I think of the small ways in which I can be controlled. I had written a line in a poem,” unwanted migrants with no other home,” referring to fungi on my toe, and some members said that could get me in trouble.
The first time I was told I shouldn’t use the word “articulate” because it is racist, I was shocked. The idea had never come to my mind. Being on guard if I am around strangers, would make me much more race conscious than I am now.
Thank you, Vida. Good to hear from you. I’m disturbed by the intimidation in your examples. Being sensitive and respectful is one thing, but being afraid to be yourself is not good.
As always I appreciate and learn from your perspective, which I share. Now that we are only 2 days away from … the change in what we used to call “leadership”, my focus expands to, as Martha suggested, “where can I help”nurture the flames of democracy and justice?
Thanks, Tyson — always good to hear from you, and I know you’ll find your own creative way to nurture those flames!
One more thought, from a writer I admire, and I’m guessing you do too-Ursula LeGuin
https://www.facebook.com/1655588043/posts/10232972889338538/?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v
and again, thanks, Tyson
“Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we might win, by fearing to attempt.” (William Shakespeare in Measure for Measure)
That guy always has something to say for every occasion! Thanks, Keith.