Ask the therapists: US election and violence

I have dual citizenship in Canada and the US, with family still living in the US. I’m sickened by the election and disgusted by how many people voted for a cold, uncaring and controlling man who’s morally bankrupt our country. I would like to believe he’s one of a kind, but this clearly shows that there are many people like him out there.  I’m losing faith in humanity, what can I do?

Jenny

Well you’re not alone sister, the whole world is watching, some in dismay like you, and others who share a similar worldview to U.S. President Donald Trump. His followers are frustrated, disempowered and misguided by their leader who promotes violence at every turn.

Glennon Doyle recently spoke about a man who stood outside the White House during the Vietnam war, with a single candle. When asked what good this will do to change his country, A.J. Muste replied, “Oh I don’t do this to change my country. I do this, so my country doesn’t change me.”

So, I think now is the time for all of us to dig in and press on with even more passion to preserve our highest values and our humanity. It may not yield immediate results, but every positive social media post, every respectful conversation with your children, and every effort to make your workplace a kinder place, matters.

This week, I had a brief five-minute encounter with a blood lab employee in Spryfield. She was kind, loving and totally present to me. After discovering that we had both lost siblings recently, we shared a tender, vulnerable moment together. When I left the appointment, I noticed how transformed I felt by this fleeting moment of grace exchanged between a total stranger. We may not have a global platform in order to influence change, but we can leverage the one we do have.

Blair

I’m astounded by the number of clients who have reached out to me, profoundly affected by an election that’s occurring in another country. It makes me reflect back on 2016 when people walked around in shock and depression for weeks after Trump was elected. What I’ve been telling my clients is to feel what they’re feeling freely. At the same time, I encourage you to find therapeutic ways of moving emotion through your system and seek out things that help you to take comfort. Some examples might be exercise, yoga, massage etc.

We then have to ask ourselves, why is this affecting us so deeply, when it’s happening somewhere else? I personally believe that it is the fear that we are on, or could be on, the same trajectory as our southern neighbors. I recommend that we all become a part of the political process to ensure that our Canadian morals and values are maintained. How do we do this? Contribution can be made at any level, from partaking in school planning committees to running for federal government. As Jenny mentioned above, angst comes from feeling powerless and the way to change that is through action.

I firmly believe that the world consists of more caring, loving, compassionate individuals, than the narcissistic, self-serving ones. One person, one committee, one vote at a time, we can affect change and uphold the decency of humanity. 

Finally, extremists find their way into power when people feel ignored and neglected. This situation is a blatant message to us that we must lift our heads out of the sand and focus our efforts on supporting the disadvantaged and promoting equal opportunity.

Have a question for Jenny and Blair? Send all inquiries to info@BreathingSpaceYogaStudio.ca