We continue to live in an unprecedented time.

As of this writing, the final decision of the U.S. Presidential election is not known. There are predictions, but no final decision. The news is filled with vote counts and predictions. While the outcome is becoming clearer, it may be days or even weeks before the election results are finalized. I suppose it is safe to assume that we will have a duly elected President within a month, and likely sooner than that.

The pandemic is still with us, and predictions are dire for the upcoming weeks and months. Many people are preparing for a different and smaller Thanksgiving holiday, putting their concerns of safety over their desire to be with large groups of family and friends. Our extended family of 65 people will celebrate more locally in much smaller groups this year. Mike and I will travel to Georgia to be with our daughter’s family there. This will be only the third time in thirty-six years (it may be thirty-seven years, but who’s counting?!) that we have not hosted our family’s Thanksgiving. The young cousins will especially miss being together. Hopefully next year will find us all together again, pandemic free.

There is much about these times that troubles our souls. It is easy to let fear take hold. Our economy, while robust for those who are wealthy, finds many who aren’t wealthy struggling financially. Many jobs are in jeopardy. Many businesses have closed, and many more will. Safety nets have disappeared for many Americans. Feelings of loss are normal. Loss of normalcy, loss of safety and security, and loss of many things that made our lives feel stable.

We cannot change our current circumstances. We do not know when we can expect things to improve. We cannot control what is happening around us, or even to us. Our current reality is outside of our control. The only thing we have any control of is our response. We can control whether we allow our feelings of loss to become feelings of despair. We must guard against that. As long as we have control of our mind, we have control of our emotions.

Some quotes that can help us.

“The greatest of all virtues is courage.” Joe Biden’s mother.

“We should listen with the same passion that we want to be heard.” Harriet Lerner.

“Are we willing to show up and be seen when we can’t control the outcome?” Brené Brown.

“All you can do is the best you can do, and the best you can do is enough.” Said by a nurse at a spiritual retreat, and told to me by family friend, Kathy Monahan. 

“Love people for who they are instead of hating them for who they aren’t.” Jason Sudeikis.

Hopefully at least one of these quotes speaks to your heart. Hold tight to those that speak to you and allow feelings of hope to carry you through. Through the election, through the pandemic, and through all of your challenges.