Here we are, Nov. 8, 2016 Election Day in the U.S. On this day, I have some thoughts:
As an Acupuncturist, I have come to understand that the way people achieve real health and make profound and positive changes in their own health and lives is by empowering themselves to take matters in their own hands. They don’t just do what the doctors tell them, and just take medications or have procedures; they question if Western medicine is the right way to go and seek out non-M.D. health practitioners – acupuncturists, chiropractors, osteopaths, naturopaths, body workers, herbalists, shamans, etc. – to be their primary health provider or part of an integrated team.
And so the same is with our political leaders and our way of life: we may or may not like one of the major candidates running for president or we may prefer the Green, Libertarian, Socialist, or another party running. But regardless who is elected, the power is in our hands. We must be the change we want to see in the world. We must work to make this a better world. We can’t rely on our leaders to do that. And we can’t accept things at face value, we must question everything.
Don’t just complain about the system and how corrupt it is. Without a doubt, it is. That’s like complaining about Western medicine and the fact that all they want to do is prescribe medications, but then not do anything to become healthier.
Furthermore, Donald Trump say he wants to make America great again. He is wrong. American is great. What we want to do is make it greater. In addition, we are all great and our need is to become greater. How do we make America and ourselves greater? Again, by empowering ourselves and doing what we can, in ways big and small. Help other people and make a difference in the lives of others. Get to know and respect people far different than yourself. And additionally, help yourself and make a difference in your own life.
To make things greater for every citizen of the world, we have to learn how to work together. Regardless of our differences, we are all in this together. No matter how demagogues attempt to pull us apart, we must remember that we are all brothers and sisters – our race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, and other differences are just the outer shell. Inside, we are all human beings who all share in the human experience. We all want to love and be loved, be happy, and be heard and respected.
Every era throughout history has gone through changes. As the changes occur, there are always people who become displaced. After all, change is the one constant in life, and as change takes place, we have to be ready to roll with it, to learn and adapt. And for those slower to adapt, we need to have safety nets. Now, in our present era, we are transitioning to something new, something greater. And with this transition, there are people getting displaced. Let’s make sure those people are helped.
And so, tomorrow, and every day after Election Day, as the furor dies down, let’s continue to come together, as opposed to ripping ourselves apart. “An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind,” said Gandhi. Instead of blindness , sharpening our vision is the goal, and by doing so, we can make this a better world.
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