Are you part of the solution?

You’re either part of the problem, or part of the solution.  This is a mantra I’ve said many times — to my children, my co-workers, my friends.  I have never judged others for choosing a side that may have appeared to be part of the problem; I believe to much in natural consequences and universal level-setting.  Instead, I leave that ultimate determination up to each individual, for we have to decide for ourselves if we are making things better or worse.

The problem now is that our nation is more openly divided than ever thanks to our most recent presidential election.  The truth is, our country was divided before, but this electoral season brought people’s hate and fear into clear focus and is, quite frankly, scary! I believe that we all have an opportunity right now – an opportunity to be a part of the solution. More than ever in recent history, we are being called to stand up for what we believe in, and I do believe that more people will stand up for acceptance, inclusion and love than for the opposite. But hypothesizing and dialoguing with our friends over coffee and dinner about what we believe in is no longer enough. We have all been given a call to action.

But what will set us up for success?  We have to embrace our passion and our call to action with love for what we believe in, not hate or animosity or fear for what others speak about or embrace.  You see, the minute you join a march because you hate a policy, or write a blog because you are afraid not to, you have become a part of the very “problem” you seek to remedy.  When you spew negative comments about anyone or anything, you first fill yourself with that negative vibration. At that moment you are no longer responding to the world with love and compassion, but with hate, fear and the very things your heart wants you to passionately and compassionately rise up against.

I’m not suggesting you need to love people who hurt others nor situations that cause pain. In today’s world, I’m not suggesting that you need to like or agree with Trump or any other leader.  What I am suggesting, is that you turn your focus away from being angry, hurt, scared or frustrated, and instead turn your focus to what you want to uphold.  Turn your focus and all of your heart energy, passion and desire to making the world a better place — to being a part of the solution.   We say, “Love Trumps Hate,” but no longer do we live in a world where we can say one thing and do another. Love does trump hate, we need to be clear that we are speaking, acting and responding from love. This is what it means to BE THE CHANGE.  Be love!  Be grace! Be compassion!  And blast the hell out of hatred and fear  with that energy!