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Sometimes, change doesn’t always look like what we think it should. In Part II of our series on the U.S election, we discuss the major change cycle underway in the U.S, and observe how change isn’t always big, coordinated, or even obvious. Sometimes, change is small, incremental, and very messy. But it is change nonetheless and it starts with momentum.
The Responsibility of Choice
In our recent post What Will You Choose and Part I of this series, we shared the incredible importance of the recent U.S. election, and the impact this election would have not just in the U.S, but the world at large. As one of the most powerful and influential nations in the world, and the strongest champion of democracy worldwide, this election was watched by many for good reason. Because far more than than just a choice between two candidates, this election was a choice between the two paths each candidate represented: one a path of deep fear, separateness, control and restriction and the other, the path of collaboration, creativity, innovation, and opportunity for all.
With so much at stake, it was our responsibility to take this choice seriously, educate ourselves on the issues, and vote for what we knew to be right and true within, and not just give our power to others expecting them to do what’s right for us.
Yet, even as many in the U.S understood the seriousness and major consequences of this election, many others did not, until after their choice had been made. This group specifically, is now starting to feel the painful sting of regret in real-time, which is introducing a new kind of powerful, unexpected momentum.
Consequences in Real-Time – A Change of Mind
Every choice comes with a consequence. Once you make a choice, you must accept responsibility. You cannot escape the consequences of your choices, whether you like them or not. ~Roy T. Bennett, author
It happens often that we don’t always see the bigger impact of our choices. We’re not always aware or educated enough on how our choices either put us in a vulnerable position or even that we’ve inadvertently given our power away until after we feel the consequences of that choice. And that’s what’s happening now in a greater way than we could’ve foreseen.
Today we observe nearly daily, those who voted for the path of fear, control and restriction, slowly realizing that they may not have chosen wisely or that they may not have understood what they were even voting for. Some are now realizing, as they become aware of the administration’s bigger plans, that they will in fact be negatively impacted by these plans in ways they weren’t aware of. Others now realize they misjudged the impact of their vote on family and friend relationships. Even others are watching in real-time, as the candidates they voted for, immediately reverse course on what they promised, even before taking office. And so on …
As many come to a new understanding that they may have unintentionally voted against their own interests or that they deeply misjudged their candidate, regret (and betrayal) grows with this group, which introduces a new kind of momentum – the momentum of a change of mind (and heart).
Which reminds me of a great quote by author Ralph Waldo Emerson that says: “people only see what they are prepared to see.” And in this situation as in all things, this is true. Everyone sees the world and others based on their own existing filters, perspectives, conditioning, beliefs, traumas, etc. which take years to develop. In some cases out of fear, people can become so deeply entrenched in their own way of seeing things, they don’t allow in new energy and new perspectives. In so doing, the only way new information can come in, is when their entrenched foundation is deeply shaken by something completely unexpected.
And that is where consequence is the impetus and momentum for change. Slowly and surely, more and more each day, as consequences become clear, and this group becomes aware they will have to also experience the consequences of their choice, feelings of regret and in some cases betrayal grow. And in these strong emotions, the potential for a changed mind and a new choice in another direction opens up. That is the beginning of the momentum we’re seeing – an opening to a new perspective.
New Perspectives – Communication Opens In a Surprising Way
The art of communication is the language of leadership. ~James Hume, author
There’s a quote by human rights activist Anita Roddick which I also deeply appreciate which says: “The key to handling problems and conflict within an organization is to keep the channels of communication wide open.” This election, as contentious as it was, offered something we desperately needed but hadn’t crossed the divide to do just yet: communicate and connect with those from what we deemed the ‘opposing side’.
For years, we had fallen into the trap of attacking and judging each other’s opinions, fanning the flames of division. Understandably, communicating with others is extremely difficult especially when dealing with deeply fear-based beliefs, opinions, biases, and potent emotions. Still, to cross the divide, we needed to open the channels of communication and this election cycle, surprisingly provided that opening.
For the first time, there was a surprising openness to communicate. Via the social media platforms, we saw informal live political debates spring up freely, hosted mostly by Gen Z, encouraging debate from both sides on hot topics like the economy, immigration, policy, etc.. (still ongoing). We saw a surprising number of people moved to share their personal voting experiences which changed dramatically this cycle. We heard from married women, who shared how they voted differently from their family for the first time, focusing on what they felt was right rather than following how others wanted them to vote. We heard from hard party-line voters sharing publicly how they were choosing country over party for the first time, deviating from how they were raised. And so on…
While the debates and conversations weren’t always pretty, (some were downright combative and painful to watch), the fact that they were happening at all, is a win. With this new openness and willingness to communicate freely now underway, this election cycle provided the unexpected momentum we needed to change our story.
After all, communication is the first step towards understanding and eventually, action. When we have an opportunity to exchange thoughts, ideas, and beliefs, and hear what other people are thinking, how they’re thinking and feeling, and what they truly care about, whether we agree with it or not, we can come to a place of understanding and then action, rather than be stuck in anger and fear. And from that space of momentum (and courage), we can create an opening for something more, something different than what we’ve had. And that’s what we all want at the end of the day, something different. But we have to put in the work. It’s not something that will magically appear.
Finding Common Ground
I love when a protagonist and antagonist can find common ground. ~ Sam Esmail
As we become more open to connect, take in other ideas, and perhaps shift our own perspectives, we have an opportunity for new energy to emerge. Before this election, we were too polarized and stuck in our own corners – fighting, attacking, and judging each other, barely making any effort to grasp where each was coming from (understandably difficult). And though we still fight and may not fully understand each other for some time (lol), the fight seems to be lessening for some, in favor of more connection, more conversation and more awareness. Today, we can observe weeks after the election, folks still voluntarily gathering, continuing to discuss and debate the issues, connecting, and sharing, willingly.
This brings us closer together, and steadily closes the gap in understanding and communication more and more each day. And this reminds us that the most important work we have in front of us is not to continue to fight each other or to try to convince each other who’s right, but to work together to find common ground. Because the more people we have on common ground, the more powerful and unified we are. And that is the most important lesson of all in this election, and where our greatest momentum lies, in our people power.
Next steps forward – Community/People Power
Momentum really is the most important aspect of deliberate creation that you could consciously contemplate. Because what momentum says is: Once you get going in that direction, it is more likely that you will continue in that direction. ~Esther Hicks, speaker, author
People power is about taking responsibility for our membership in the human family, and recognizing that while we don’t all look the same or share the same ideas and beliefs, we are more similar than we think. We all want an opportunity to thrive, to live safely, and to prosper with purpose. And when we start to put our humanity first, understanding that we ALL essentially desire the same things, it’s easier for us to come together and defend what we deserve, when our reality does not meet those expectations. And when those we’ve chosen to represent us, are operating solely for personal gain and do not have the collective’s best interests at heart.
Today, we’re seeing the beginning of small change in a greater direction, and that greater direction is towards each other. Even while it may seem a sort of quiet, simple, slow-moving change, don’t be fooled. Sometimes change starts at the tiniest of levels which eventually expands to something far greater than we could ever imagine.
And we are at that inflection point now. Whether we realize it or not, we’ve already taken the mighty first steps, however small, to set the groundwork for momentum towards a new way by choosing to connect rather than disconnect. And that is a major step forward. Because if we can stay open and connected, and stand firm in our humanity, and in the power of our heart and soul, we will surely succeed in finding ways for ALL of us to experience better prosperity. This era was never meant to be easy, but if we stick together and stand up for each other, we can make sure we get the better we deserve. Best wishes to us!
More on People Power in future posts!
~ Love, Carmen
