A warrior’s strength is measured by the size of her heart. She shows love, honor and respect. She will stand and fight in the face of adversity for the ones she loves. She will be their voice. She will be their shield. She leads by example. Always remembering who she is.~ Hiwoxuuniis – Two Elk

I’ve been avoiding writing my blog since the election. What could I possibly write about that wouldn’t seem trite or ignore and diminish the impact that the election had on all of us? How can I express my fierce compassion? When I mentioned my dilemma to a friend, she said wisely, “well, then that’s exactly what you should write about.”

People everywhere, not just in the US, are taking the results of the US election very seriously. My friends in Canada, on the morning after the election, asked on Facebook, “What do I tell my children now that the bully won? The bully isn’t supposed to win.” Such touching words on behalf of our little ones, who have been taught that bullying isn’t okay, and that we have to speak up to protect ourselves.

My 14-year-old stepson and his friends decided to speak up and make their voices heard when they and their entire high school marched in protest in San Francisco after Trump’s win. Others needed time to grieve before deciding what to go do and make their voices heard. But don’t ever assume, like some Trump supporters have, that the children of this world won’t take action or are soft because they needed time to grieve. They know exactly what matters and what they stand for. They are an example to us all.

 

I am also heartened by the women and men (3.7M strong and growing) that I see on a private Facebook group of which I am proud to be a part. Every day, they share stories of how their children are voicing their support for equality, how they themselves have stood up for someone in need to ensure they are safe, how they are writing and calling their congress representatives, how they are donating to Planned Parenthood and the ACLU, and more. Every day, they share how the stories are giving them the strength to stand up for what they believe in and speak without fear. Every day, I am emboldened by these stories.

Some may say that it’s about time we woke up and spoke up, and they would be right. Others would say it’s not enough, but it’s a start and there is huge momentum behind this. And still others would try to dismiss it by saying, “just get over it.” Sorry, folks that’s an old story line. We don’t tell our children that anymore because it robs them of their voice.

We’re not going to be get over it; we’re not going to be silent; and we aren’t going to go away. This is a movement and it is going to build and strengthen. We compassionate folk are fierce. We chose love over hate and will keep on choosing it over and over again.

You see, we are for something now, not against. We are for the rights of minorities, immigrants, indigenous peoples, women, the LGBT community, disabled peoples, and veterans. We are sharing our compassion and love with impact. We are ensuring that our children can grow up in a world that respects their choices and their voices. We are fierce and compassionate.

And I choose those words–fierce and compassionate–carefully and deliberately. Do not underestimate those who walk with fierce compassion. We are motivated and moved into action by our compassion and by our “insight into mutual belonging” (Joanna Macy). We are warriors of the heart.

Copyright ©2016 Soulscape Coaching LLC