For the past week, I've held space for those reading this to express your thoughts and feelings post-election. The election outcome unearthed truths about yourself and others that many of you are still digesting. You're collectively unsettled and I've witnessed you. You have expressed anger, frustration, disappointment, sadness, grief, rage, confusion, fear, betrayal, disgust, and more. We have sighed together and cried together.

The only way I could provide safety for you while experiencing the same event was by "doing the work" to manage my personal experience. It’s not been easy and yet I’ve tried my best to continue showing up. I want to share how that’s been possible.

I’ve said the following to you separately, and now that I’ve repeated it so many times, I think it wise to share my process collectively, to normalize your experiences, encourage connection, and broaden awareness through the lens of Universal Laws.

The Law of Unity (Oneness)

This law speaks to our shared humanity. When I suggest practices like mindfulness and compassion meditation, it's to ground us in this principle and remind us that we are all connected. The growing rhetoric that we're (Americans) individualized and that we need to fear each other is a divisive lie that disallows us protections, community, and support.

Work with the Law of Unity:

Join a community meditation group that meets weekly
Participate in neighborhood mutual aid networks
Organize shared meals with neighbors from different backgrounds
Volunteer at local organizations addressing community needs
Practice loving-kindness meditation for 10 minutes daily, extending compassion to all beings

The Law of Correspondence

Taking care of our health impacts us individually and ripples through our relationships and communities. Rest is resistance, yes. Also, self-care as healthcare becomes community care.

Work with the Law of Correspondence:

Schedule regular "rest days" and honor them as you would any important commitment
Create a morning and/or evening routine that includes movement and mindfulness
Set boundaries around work hours and digital consumption
Share resources about mental health support with your community
Start a self-care accountability group with friends

The Law of Cause and Effect (Karma)

Our choices impact the world we share, for better or worse. Living with kindness, generosity, and respect toward others creates a feedback loop of positive energy and well-being within a community.

Work with the Law of Cause and Effect:

Practice random acts of kindness daily
Support local businesses that align with your values (seriously do your research so that you know who actually shares your values!)
Speak up against discrimination when you witness or experience it
Choose environmentally conscious options when possible
Share your skills and knowledge freely with others who could benefit while remembering that we cannot make anyone understand

The Law of Intention and Desire

When intentions are rooted in both personal and collective growth, desires become more meaningful and fulfilling. This gives our lives greater meaning. Create a plan that situates you within community.

Work with the Law of Intention and Desire:

Write a personal mission statement that includes community impact
Set monthly intentions that benefit both you and your community
Create vision boards that include collective well-being
Journal about how your personal goals serve the greater good
Identify one identity-based community you belong to and list three ways to strengthen it

The Law of Attraction and Abundance

There are no actual limitations in the Universe. The only limitations are placed by humans and are often based on control. Practice gratitude for shared abundance and cultivate generosity.

Work with the Law of Attraction and Abundance:

Keep a gratitude journal focusing on community blessings
Start a community resource-sharing network
Practice abundance mindset by sharing opportunities
Create a "gift economy" circle with trusted friends
Organize skill-sharing workshops in your community

Rashida’s Law of Empathy and Compassion

This isn’t an actual Universal law, but I feel the need to create one, if you’ll allow me the audacity. Empathy and compassion help address shame triggers and build resilient, supportive communities through active listening, shared vulnerability, and open communication.

Work with Rashida’s Law of Empathy and Compassion:

Practice active listening without trying to fix or solve
Share your own vulnerable experiences when appropriate
Host regular "listening circles" in your community
Learn and use nonviolent communication techniques
Offer emotional support to others processing similar feelings

Moving Forward Together

As we process these post-election feelings, it's essential to acknowledge that change is inevitable and constant. While change can feel threatening, our ability to adapt and remain flexible is one of our greatest strengths. This flexibility isn't about conforming to systems that don't serve us or hiding our true selves—it's about finding creative ways to thrive within our local communities.

Remember that resilience takes many forms:

Building stronger local support networks
Developing self-reliance while maintaining interdependence
Creating equitable exchange systems within our communities
Learning new skills that serve both individual and collective needs
Finding ways to protect and support each other at the grassroots level

Change doesn't have to mean compromise of our core values. Instead, it can mean finding innovative ways to support each other, strengthening local bonds that protect our communities, creating sustainable systems of mutual aid, building resilience through skill-sharing and resource pooling, or developing new forms of community care and protection.

I’m sending you big hugs. Your feelings about these changes are valid and your commitment to growth matters. When we link arms and step bravely forward together, as have our elders and ancestors, we create the supportive communities we need to thrive. Every small action you take toward healing and connection contributes to our collective well-being.

Remember: We are not alone in this journey. The very act of sharing our experiences and supporting each other through challenging times is a powerful form of resistance and healing. By embracing change with flexibility while staying true to our values, we can withstand anything together. Let's continue to hold space for one another, practice these principles daily, and build the compassionate world we wish to see.

As we face uncertainty, let’s also remember that our greatest strength lies in our connections to each other. Through local support networks, equitable exchanges, and mutual care, we can create resilient communities that survive and thrive in times of change.

Together, we rise. Together, we adapt. Together, we create change. 💝