In the 2008 U.S. election, then Senator Obama was running against Senator John McCain. I remember having counseling sessions with clients who were absolutely terrified that their candidate might not win. They were experiencing tremendous anxiety. The thought that their preferred candidate might not win was unbearable to them.
Why? Because of the meaning they made of it.
Everything is symbolic in this world, including presidential candidates.
In the 2012 U.S. election, President Obama was running against former Governor Mitt Romney. I remember doing counseling sessions with A Course in Miracles students at the time. These were folks who were truly dedicated to living A Course in Miracles, and are smart, kind, caring people.
I recall one counseling client telling me that the level of fear they had that Obama might not win and that Romney would was near constant. There was so much anxiety about what would happen to the United States if Obama were to lose and Romney were to become president. They were terrified about the future and what it would mean for the children of America.
They were so convinced they were right about the possible terrible future they saw that they couldn’t get it out of their minds and were obsessively, compulsively terrorizing themselves with the ever-increasing possibility of what they feared most.
In that same week, I had a counseling session with someone with the exact opposite fear. They felt that if there were another four years of Obama as President that the future for America’s children would be desolate. The ONLY hope was if Romney could win, and enact programs and support for children’s issues that would bring a brighter future for the youth of America.
They believed that if Obama were reelected there would be no coming back for America’s children. It was deeply frightening for them to keep imagining the worst possible outcome for America’s innocent youth. The closer the election got the more fear and worry this person had. It was causing so much anxiety that, like the other client, they were finding it unbearable and came to me for counseling.
Of course, all of this is understandable – AND – we’re never upset for the reason we think.
We think we’re upset because of what’s happening in the world and it’s not true. We’re actually upset because of the meaning we make of things – the meaning that we give to what we think we see. It’s our interpretation.
A Course in Miracles, the Lessons and the application of the truth are what will actually quiet every storm in our mind if we’re willing to let go of our attachment to the way we’re viewing things and align with truth. Seeing the truth isn’t hard. Letting go of our view is the challenge – and there are ways to make that easy. They’re all right there in the Lessons.
Peace of mind in challenging situations takes a dedicated willingness and a desire to reach the truth that’s stronger than the need to be right about what we think we see.
We have Peace when we’re willing to let go of our habit of interpreting things through our belief system. It takes a willingness to see what’s actually there, beyond our perception.
“Pain is a wrong perspective.” A Course in Miracles
In the past few months I’ve spoken with many people who are in worry, fear, anger and upset about this year’s election. There’s so much intensity and even hatred.
In 2016, I did some classes on that election that people found very helpful in relieving their stress. I’ve been getting the nudge to do that again and so next Sunday, one week from today on September 29, I’m offering a 2.5 hour workshop online, Peace & Politics. I’m interested in politics, I’m involved, and I’m also peaceful and that’s great.
It saves a lot of energy to be peaceful instead of upset. I get to use that energy to be productive and helpful.
This Peace & Politics workshop next Sunday is the first in a series of workshops I’ll be doing each month on different topics. Click here now to learn more.
If you’d like to be truly helpful right now, then find the way to be at Peace about this election and not contribute to the divisiveness and upset that so many are interested in. Let’s be that living example of Peace. Our willingness is POWERFUL!
Another help is to double down on forgiveness. I know for a fact that Peace returns to our consciousness when we choose forgiveness. Forgiveness leads to all kinds of good, including physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, relationship and financial healing – and so much more. Free Forgiveness Workshop TODAY Sunday, September 22. Register now and invite your friends!
TODAY: Sundays with Spirit speaker is kironJ Gardner, beloved ACIM teacher and friend. Registration is free, come and join us and tell a friend! Click here now for more info.
LATEST ACIM PODCAST EPISODE: my topic is The Healing Power of Open-Mindedness. Are you feeling frustrated, fearful, anxious and worried for any reason? Only the open-minded can experience Peace. In this episode, I share her how I found my way to Peace and what the true practice of open-mindness is as laid out in A Course in Miracles Manual for Teachers Characteristics of God’s Teachers. Our Peace isn’t dependent upon circumstances changing. We can have Peace now!
Vote with your heart! If you’re a citizen of these great United States, I hope you’ll feel inspired to vote. If you’re not registered, you can easily register to vote online here: https://www.vote.org/register-to-vote/ Let your voice be heard because you’re here to represent God who sent you. One thing to know: Who you vote for is private, but whether you vote is public record – so if you don’t like getting phone calls, door knockers and such, once you vote they won’t be reaching out to you. If you’re someone who sends money to support your candidate, encouraging people to vote early will save time, energy and money candidates spend trying to reach them.
