Election Day

Well, here we are in the middle of this auspicious election day that has seemed a long time in coming.

 

A friend posted on Facebook during her three-hour wait to vote this morning, urging people in the long, long line to stay put.  She suggested that friends visit a long-line precinct, maybe taking coffee, snack foods and a folding chair, perhaps to share with an elderly voter.  There was a moving comment about Rep. John Lewis following her post and the many sacrifices made before passage of the Voting Rights Act—and all these years later, we're faced with efforts to suppress the vote once again. Disheartening, to say the least.  In the school where my friend voted,  a fire alarm blared and no one left the line.  (It would take a firetruck and smoke coming out of the building to have gotten me out, too!)   When she posted We shall not be moved I got chills.

 

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Earlier today, I set the intention of getting myself into a higher state of consciousness, and a poem appeared to help me get closer to that goal.  In this moment, at least.   Maybe you'll find it inspiring, too.  Joan Borysenko posted it on FB today:

 

"John O’Donohue's poem "A Blessing for One Who Holds Power". To me this means not only the politicians who hope to be elected today, but all of us whose votes will determine who ultimately holds the power of the presidency and other elected offices . . . ."

 

May the gift of leadership awaken in you as a vocation,
Keep you mindful of the providence that calls you to serve.
As high over the mountains the eagle spreads its wings,

May your perspective be larger than the view from the foothills.
When the way is flat and dull in times of gray endurance,
May your imagination continue to evoke horizons.
When thirst burns in times of drought,
May you be blessed to find the wells.
May you have the wisdom to read time clearly
And know when the seed of change will flourish.
In your heart may there be a sanctuary
For the stillness where clarity is born.
May your work be infused with passion and creativity
And have the wisdom to balance compassion and challenge.
May your soul find the graciousness
To rise above the fester of small mediocrities.
May your power never become a shell
Wherein your heart would silently atrophy.
May you welcome your own vulnerability
As the ground where healing and truth join.
May integrity of soul be your first ideal.
The source that will guide and bless your work.

 You have blessed us all, my President, even Americans who don't recognize the blessings of your leadership,  even those who despise you.

  May you prevail today, Barack Obama.  Namaste, sir.  Namaste.