What do we do now?! We heal.

What do we do now?!

This is the question we are all asking, and I’ve been thinking about my answer since Tuesday night. There is so much that needs to be done, from getting more involved in the party, setting up communications infrastructure to keep track of what a Trump Administration is going to be doing, to reconnecting with our friends and families for the holidays without throwing the kitchen knives at each other…

What could possibly be considered the most important thing that we need to focus on between now and when we are able to stand on two feet again and start working on a plan for the future?

We need to heal.

That needs to be the focus of our attention, our time and our energy.

We need to heal ourselves, body mind and soul. Eat right. Get enough sleep. Start getting back to the gym to get exercise. Read more about history and science and the latest breakthroughs in technology. Keep up with the news, even sports if that is something that you find engaging. Start going back to your churches, synagogues, mosques or circles. Pray, meditate and take walks in the woods to reconnect with the world and the air, the water, the earth. We are part of the Earth, and to heal our mother, we first must start with our own selves.

We need to heal our families. Reconnect with a spouse, your children, your parents. Make plans for Thanksgiving and Christmas, start your shopping for gifts. Help your kids with their homework, ask for help with yours. Get and give lots of hugs. We are part of a family, and in order to know that we are part of that family, we need to heal our bonds.

We need to heal our closest friends. We built these friendships for a reason, and now is the time to use our connections to heal each other. Our friends need this message of healing, so invite friends to coffee, a beer or dinner that you haven’t seen for a while.

We need to heal our communities. Neighborhoods need our leadership, our ability to bring people together. Of course the election is going to be a topic of conversation, so use the opportunity to discuss how we can move forward. Get in touch with your neighbor in the yard across the fence and talk about how we feel. Build bridges, don’t burn them. Don’t build walls.

What can you do to heal yourself, your family, your friends and your community? Release the negatives, and bring in and encourage the positives. In times of darkness, we need to be sources of light. Be the brightest light that you can be.

Peace, love, and community. Healing takes time and effort. And it is worth it.