Holding an image by Sue Robin

There are all kinds of ways we can support the world we want to live in. Along with pragmatic actions, there are also the energetic contributions we can make. I am grateful to Sue for articulating a clear and positive vision for January 20, 2021.

Amy Coney Barrett and the threat to women’s rights—New York Daily News

COVID-19 Daily Cases On The Rise In Nearly Half Of U.S. States—NPR

Proud Boys draw smaller-than-expected crowd to Portland as city hopes for calm—WaPo

September 26, 2020

Holding an image
by Sue Robin, Los Angeles, California

No trouble falling asleep last night since I did not sleep well the night before. I dropped off immediately, but then, at three a.m., I was lying in bed listening to the endless loop of “what ifs.” I do wish some sheep would wander into the bedroom as I would much rather count them. Instead, there is the litany of obscenities issuing forth from the man in the White House and his henchmen.

This so-called President threatens not to accept a loss in the election if there is one and, if there is not a loss—OMG I cannot go there. I imagine moving to Canada and the decimation of our country and our democracy and the door opening to a dictatorship and all hope of sleep is gone not only for this night, but endless nights. There is the comment about how he knows the Supreme Court justices that he nominated will surely support him if the decision about who has won the presidency is in question. And, of course, he is likely to challenge any findings of the election if he is not the winner. He has been setting the table for that one for months by claiming how dishonest mail-in ballots are. 

I try my four-counts-in breath, hold-seven and out-eight. Still awake. I try an in–out meditation focusing on my breath in a different way. Still awake. I try a relaxation exercise. Still awake. Sometimes I get up and read, but I am in the midst of reading “RAGE,” so that was not an option last night. Then I started thinking how much negative energy is going into this election. I think Trump is a master at triggering that for me and for any rational adult in the room. I knew then I needed to try something from earlier in my life.  

After my divorce, I spent a lot of years alone. As time went on, I realized I had to set an intention of what I would like to find in a partner. I told the world that I wanted a kind, thoughtful man with a good heart. While I wanted someone with a strong intellect and common sense, I also wanted a man with a tool belt, which, rather than a stereotype, was more like someone who was not only able to use his head but his hands and heart as well. Couple things I left out, but for the most part I manifested a good partner.

Yes, I take credit for the universe’s serendipity, but I do believe we can help the universe along. In that light, I began to imagine Joe and Jill with masks on, and with Joe having his hand on a bible, perhaps his family’s bible, standing out in the cold taking the oath of office. Voila! It calmed me and I did, finally, fall back asleep.

I share this with all of you and suggest that we do our best to replace every anxious moment and every tweet-laced bit of aggravation with a well-grounded image of Joe and Jill and Kamala and Douglas on the dais being sworn in as the 46^th President and Vice President of the United States of America on the 20^th of January 2021. If my mom were still on this earth, she would add “from your mouth to God’s ear.”