As someone with a lot of creativity, I enjoy processing incoming information and creating different ways to deal with a lot of my anger, frustration, difficult times and mental illness symptoms. As nearly all of us Americans, as well as people around the world, I am aware of many of the struggles we are currently facing.
So here goes my creativity...
Everyone knows about Legos. Whoever does not know what they are should take a trip to the local craft store or toy store. They are basically building blocks.
Imagine you are a young girl of age 6... You are working incredibly hard on building a dollhouse out of a mountain of pink Legos. You put in all your effort to get each room set up. You even put some windows in and little doll beds, little dressers and maybe even a couch.
Yes, the dollhouse is not perfect. You may be missing spots here and there, but when you finish making the dollhouse, you sit back and believe it is absolutely perfect. You put all of your hard work into making this dollhouse. You stand back and silently pat yourself on the back for making what you believe to be a "masterpiece" or maybe one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
Here comes your older brother. He is annoyed about all of the attention your friends and family are giving to you. He comes in rage, calls you names, and completely.... ruins.... your... dollhouse... A...million... tiny... pieces.
No, that did not just happen.
You feel like your whole world has been shaken up.
It feels like everything you worked hard for is now.., gone. It kind of feels like that magic trick in which a magician very quickly pulls the tablecloth under all of the plates and bowls on a table.
Then you realize you can do something about what just happened. You control your reaction. You can either do it quietly within your mind or you can move forward and fight the battles that are worth fighting for.
Your mother comes in the room shortly after what happened. You run to her and cry, but together you think of ways to deal with the "tragedy." Not only is your reaction important, but your actions can speak volumes as well. Instead of crying for days, you stand up to your older brother, you peacefully go over to him and explain that it was not right what he did. You peacefully explain that his temper tantrum ruined something that you loved. You peacefully allow him to process through what he has just done. You stand there, praying with him to see where he went wrong and how he can make it right.
Your mother comes in and says it is important to stand up for what is right, She says that even though it seems like a useless effort to change your brother's reaction and temper tantrums, there is always hope that he will change and correctly decipher what is right and what is wrong.
Your father comes home, just as your mother finished talking to you both. He encourages you on this battle. He gives you his love and affection, allowing you to continue to process what is happening. He talks to your brother, helping him peacefully see where he went wrong. He even kneels down to help you, your older brother and your mother as you all piece together the dollhouse again. Nobody is yelling, Everyone is peacefully laughing, hugging and embracing who each of you are and what you are capable of doing together.
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As you may have figured out, this story is not unlike what is going on in our current political situation in America. "You" is the citizen and your "older brother" is our current American political leader. Your "mother" is all of the people rising up and standing up for themselves, especially the 3-5 million women and men who are standing up for what is right during the Women's march. Your "father" is God, your Higher Power or whoever you look to as "bigger than you," who stands with you and for you.
I know that this situation may feel very scary, but it is not that scary when you realize that we as citizens have a collective voice, both only through ourselves, or as a greater group power. We know that we can overcome anything with each other. We know that we should not be afraid of anything, because God has the ultimate control.
Let's stand up. Let's march. Let's support each other. Let's love women. Let's love those who are different from us. Let's love the most marginalized. Let's show love towards those around us, no matter who we are.
Let's love, not hate.
Peace be with you all.
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