In 1976, Jimmy Carter defeated Gerald Ford to become Presidentof the United States. I don’t remember anything about that election, but I doremember my first-grade teacher asking us to pick a candidate to support. I had no clue who these people were or why they mattered but I remember passionately
advocating for Gerald Ford for no other reason than that was the horse that the
7-year-old version of me bet on. While my candidate did not win, my understanding
of the importance and privilege of voting was embedded.
Living in rural New York state, I get to vote in the same building that houses our local jail. I drive to the polling place each year feeling like a kid at Christmas. I am giddy each time I am handed the perfunctory
“I voted sticker.” I understand that not everyone has the same luxury to vote, as unencumbered and freely as I do.
As I write this post, there are 63 days until the next election day in the United States. 63 more days of being overwhelmed by posts on Instagram and Facebook. 63 days of listening to stories of how a loved one has “lost their minds” in the frenzy of the lead up to this all important vote. 63 more days of pundits on TV trying to talk over each other to make a point, 63 more days of having uncomfortable conversations with family or for some, knock-down drag out fights at the kitchen table.
Just a few of the experiences many of us will have even before we have the results.
I talk to people every day who are at their wits end, scared about the way their loved ones are reacting to what can only be called a pressure pot of differing yet very enthusiastic opinions on what is right for
their country and their lives. I know of people who have had marriages fall apart after an election, had job opportunities implode, had such incredible bouts of the deepest, darkest depression because they did not have the tools to cope with what they saw as an injustice, a wrong doing. They couldn't reconcile
themselves to the fact that the horse they bet on had lost, and the disappointment was so profound that it had devastating consequences for their lives.
When I think about my absolute devotion to voting and I think about how much pain and anguish I know it is causing people and will cause people, I can only think that I have the skills to help people through
this in a quick and profound way.
While we will not be able to control the next 63 days or the outcome of this election, we are able to control how we react to it. We can give ourselves new tools to respond. Through RTT and coaching, I am now giving
clients like this new methods to move from anguish to indifference, from giant painful reactions to peace.
No matter who you are voting for, no matter what you want the outcome to be, these tools are here to help. These resources are designed to aid everyone, regardless of their political affiliation or desired election
results. If you or someone you know could use this support during the election season and beyond, please don't hesitate to reach out.