Vote like you pray 🙏
Today is election day in the US.
But here in Oregon we vote by mail (so smart!!) so I cast my vote over a week ago. And maybe wherever you are you had the chance to vote early too…and you did (right?).
Whether you already have, or you are heading out the door right after you read this email to make your wishes known, I hope you know how important this process is.
What you want, and your vote for that, matters!
It's so easy to get down and I hear people often say, "why should I, nothing ever changes any way."
I feel that too sometimes. Even when we make a change, it seems so tenuous. It's hard to believe it could last and really mean much.
But voting IS important.
Like dreaming.
And committing oneself to something.
And taking action.
It's a sacred act. The very best of activism.
I learned recently that the word "vote" comes from the Latin votum "a promise to god, solemn pledge, dedication; that which is promised; a wish, desire, longing, prayer".
I love this.
As I sat down to mark my votes this election, I tried to really envision what I want in the world as I marked my choice for each candidate and initiative.
Instead of voting to keep the other guys out...I want to do something to create the world I want to live in.
Last week I was teaching, in The Sanctuary, about karma and karma yoga.
Any action we take is karma. Everything we do.
And karma yoga is all about self-less service without attachment to the results. So I am trying to bring this into my voting this year too.
Not so easy because of course, I have that very clear idea of what would be "best" to have happen.
But I also truly trust that, while I have dreams and visions of what's possible and what I want, I can't see all of what is happening. Or what is possible.
And I, from my limited point of view, don't have all the knowledge required to determine what the best results are. No matter how strong my opinion about it all is!
That's karma too. To do our best. Take the next, conscious and inspired step forward, and see what happens. Then determine our next step from there.
So, as I sit with the results tonight, I'm committing to holding my vision for the world I want to live in. I'm sending my prayer for what is for the highest good on the Earth and for Humanity.
And I'm surrendering the rest.
With so much love,
PS....To be clear - no matter the results - and the surrender - I won't give up on my vision nor on doing all that I can to create a more peaceful and balanced world!
One part of my contribution toward that is the teaching and coaching I do. Please reach out if you'd like to know more about that and how it might support you in determining your best next steps too!