TURN YOUR WOUNDS . . .

into wisdom.

It's no secret that we live in a deeply divided nation. And it seems as though no matter where folks fall on the political spectrum, there is always someone to make you feel wrong in your thoughts, opinions, words and/or actions. It's been so easy to feel attacked, and it leads quite naturally to the feeling that someone is out to get you.

Let us first declare that we care deeply about democracy. We feel lucky to live in a land where everyone gets their own vote. We have the freedom to weigh the things that are important to us and act accordingly.

We also feel fortunate to be able to cast our own votes. It shall come as no surprise if you are a regular reader of this newsletter that we fall on the more liberal end of the spectrum. In particular, we are concerned about the fate of our environment, women's rights (reproductive and otherwise), and fairness and equality for all. We feel fortunate to be in a position to do so. We typically refrain from taking an overtly political stance, and we write today not to sway you or demonize you if you feel differently, but rather to celebrate that we all have the opportunity to engage in ways that are important to us. And to create a safe space for discourse.

Our greatest hope is for everyone to find their own form of communication - to both voice their own concerns, and actively listen to those of others.

As promised, here are some resources / excerpts / links that gave us some new perspective this past week. They run the gamut in terms of how they approach the election and the results. Because diversity is a valuable thing.

NEWSLETTER EXCERPT
From our Winter CSA newsletter - it eloquently touches on some of the ways that we have been feeling:
...it feels hard, if not impossible, to write without touching on the national election last week. I don't feel like I have something to say at this point, as it seems we've entered into a different era or reality over the past week and what that really means I don't know.  But I think it would be disingenuous not to say anything at all.  I hope we can find ways outside of ourselves and our bubbles and perhaps there will be a chance of reconciling what seem to be such huge rifts.

MORE WORDS OF WISDOM
We have to admit, if a former television host was going to be president, we kind of wished it would have been Jon Stewart. In his post-election remarks, the thing that we find most valuable is the idea that nobody is a monolith, and it would be hypocritical of liberals to assume that all Trump voters agree with the worst of his rhetoric.

IT'S GOING TO BE OKAY
Here's a rather in depth look at what the election results mean (be sure to read the follow-up post, as well).

AND SOME INSIGHT ON 'THE CULT OF THE PRESIDENCY'

BUT WE MUST ALWAYS STAY INFORMED
And this recap outlines exactly what the president has the power to do - aligned with his stated plans - both with and without Congress.

NURTURING THE LEADER WITHIN
It is far too easy to find fault with any presidential candidate. But the truth is that the collective actions of millions have a far greater impact. What will you do to nurture the leader within you?

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We want to avoid painting the picture in extremes, as so much of the media seems to be doing - that everything will be a beautiful and neat about-face of all that people have been frustrated with up to this point, or that it will it be the next apocalypse. One thing is for sure, though: we seem to put a lot of emphasis on one election and one leader. We're here to ask you to recognize the power that each individual holds, to remind you that collectively we can all make a difference. Stay tuned for ways to do so.

In the meantime, we wish you a restorative Thanksgiving. If the thought of the holiday season is already causing strife, consider joining our GFJ Holiday Refresh. Sign up to take the journey with us. It might be your most worthwhile experience during the frenzied holiday season.

With gratitude,

Taylor & Dorothy
Co-Founders, Good Food Jobs