PEACE. Sometimes it feels especially elusive. And today, the day before the election (because I am writing this Monday afternoon), peace eludes me. I am so unsettled that I am binge-eating potato chips. I can’t recall the last time I had a bag of potato chips in the house or engaged in this type of eating behavior. This just is not me, someone who tries to eat healthy. But I am stressed.
I hope I feel differently in a few days. Feelings about my personal peace aside, I hope peace washes over the entire nation. We need it.
We need a calming, a break from all the negativity and barrage of craziness (a word I don’t often use and don’t particularly like, but it fits here). We need a return to normalcy and decency and respect.
We need to start caring about one another again, to stop the attacks and finger pointing and all the behavior that spirals us into discord. There’s been way too much bullying, too much name-calling, too many lies, too much degrading and hateful rhetoric. Too much. I want it to end. And I imagine I am not alone in feeling that way.
Peace. I’m talking inner peace. I’m talking peace within families and neighborhoods and schools and communities, where, even if we disagree, we can get along, set aside our differences, listen, compromise, work together.
When I was coming of age in the tumultuous early 1970s, peace was a buzzword. It was everywhere. On protest signs, in fingers flashed, in words spoken, on clothing, in pleas made… Looking back to that time period, I recognize that peace felt elusive then, too. But somehow we found our way back, until we didn’t.
NOTE: As the creator of this blog, I moderate all comments. This post is not meant to spark political sparring, but rather reflects my thoughts and feelings.
© Copyright 2024 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
Thanks to the Electoral College, a handful of voters in a handful states will make the choice of president for all 345 million of us. We’d like to think this handful will choose wisely. Or not. Guess we’ll see about that.
Yes, I guess we’ll see about that…
Let there be peace on earth! I keep reminding myself that I have voted and that’s what I can do. Hang in there!
Yes, our voting choice is the one thing we can control. And, yes, we need peace on earth.
Amen Sister!
Good to hear from you, John.
Oh, my friend, I am with you. I also feel stressed about this day and outcome. But I know it’s all going to ultimately be ok because there is more to this life!
I need to remember that, to remind myself of that. Thank you, Gretchen, for the morning encouragement.
I so agree. My daughter and son-in-law asked recently if I thought this was the most divisive time in our country. I did think back to the 70s as you did. Family members were often at odds with one another. There was a lot of finger pointing, questioning, ridicule, etc. I don’t know if it is worse now, but yes, let’s hope for peace, calming and caring as you have said.
My son asked me recently about Nixon and Watergate and I quickly replied that the situation now is far worse. It’s interesting that your family also asked you to reflect on the 70s. I’m holding hope for our country, that things WILL get better.
I think you are right – it is much worse now. Interestingly, my son-in-law also brought up the Civil War and all that led up to it. Maybe what makes it worse than either of those times is the explosion of technology, the ease in passing on misinformation and manipulating information. Well, enough of that. I’m going to think positively!
Yes, I do think technology factors into this. I’ve gotten several encouraging texts from friends with words like “serenity,” “sigh” (biblical reference) and “Be still” (Psalm 46:10), all of which have been helpful to me in shifting my focus to, as you write, thinking positively. Not that I still don’t feel unsettled, but those words help.
Maybe this will help: “Peace I leave you;My Peace I give you ,not as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. ” John 14:27
God knows. 🩷kathyGwillim
Kathy, thank you for sharing that uplifting scripture this morning. I appreciate it.
I totally agree what a stressful time this is with democracy at stake. What a divide this election has had on the American people. All we can do in the next coming days is pray.
Absolutely. Vote. Pray. Try to be the best people we can be in showing compassion and care.
You are not alone…
I know. I heard a media report recently that 69 percent of Americans are stressed about the election.
Sometimes we just need to turn off the radio, the television, and go for a walk… We will need to accept the outcome, no matter what. As you say, show compassion and care.
All good suggestions…
Calm, breathe deep, steady…..
I’m trying, Keith. Thank you. 🙂
Your post resonates so much with me 🙂 I am so trying to find the balance let alone the patience and peace in my daily life. That having to be on is like the smoke detector going off because one has become burnt toast – ha! When I was a kid I could not wait to grow up and now I just want it to slow down way down. Take it easy (((((((loveandhugs))))))
A lot of people are feeling as we are based on all the comments on today’s post. Love & hugs to you, too, Renee.
I yearn for it as well
Days out from the election, even more…
I found myself overly irritable and anxious leading up to the big day as well. Sometimes it’s hard to remember to “BE STILL”.
My friend Jackie texted Psalm 46:10 to me the day after the election. It helped to connect with friends, to feel their love through the darkness of all this.