Today in America we take to the polls, and I want to take a moment to encourage you to maintain sustainable productivity on Election Day. According to the BBC, as of Friday, Oct 30th “more than 85 million Americans had voted early – either by post or in person. This is already more than the total number of early votes cast in the 2016 election.”
It is clear the country is more engaged than ever. But we are also more divided than ever.
Some people may say this has nothing to do with productivity. They say I should stay in my lane, but hear me out. Managing stress and healthy relationships are part of a sustainably productive life. Politics seems sort of like refereeing – no matter the call, half the crowd will be mad.
How can you set yourself up to be true to who you are so your insides match up to your outsides? To defend our position in a way to feel as if we delivered the message that rings true and yet staying open to hear a differing opinion.
I will be honest with you – boundaries and grey area are not my jam. I have been working on this intensely for about three years. Unfortunately, I usually only see the right path after I am lost in a mess. I have come across this quote from Roshi Joan Halifax, a Zen Buddhist, several times. Coincidence, serendipity, message from the Universe or God. Whatever you call it, it is not a mistake that it keeps showing up.
I thought it would be helpful for you today. A day where we fiercely protect what we believe in. Where what is valued to each of us deeply is threatened.
I hope this helps you find strength and peace in the middle.
“All too often our so-called strength comes from fear not love; instead of having a strong back, many of us have a defended front shielding a weak spine. In other words, we walk around brittle and defensive, trying to conceal our lack of confidence. If we strengthen our backs, metaphorically speaking, and develop a spine that’s flexible but sturdy, then we can risk having a front that’s soft and open, representing choiceless compassion. The place in your body where these two meet — strong back and soft front — is the brave, tender ground in which to root our caring deeply.”
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