For your prayerful consideration

A good friend read this to me today, and it spoke to my soul. It's a prayer from an elder of the Hopi Nation that has been quoted many times. I hope its words and wisdom may be meaningful to you, as well, in moving forward from this historic day.

"You have been telling the people that this is the Eleventh Hour, now you must go back and tell the people that this is THE HOUR. And there are things to be considered...

Where are you living?
What are you doing?
What are your relationships?
Are you in right relation?
Where is your water?
Know your garden.
It is time to speak your Truth.
Create your community.
Be good to each other.
And do not look outside yourself for the leader.

Then he clasped his hands together, smiled, and said, "This could be a good time! There is a river flowing now very fast. It is so great and swift that there are those who will be afraid. They will try to hold on to the shore. They will feel they are being torn apart and will suffer greatly. Know the river has its destination. The elders say we must let go of the shore, push off into the middle of the river, keep our eyes open, and our heads above the water. And I say, see who is in there with you and celebrate.

At this time in history, we are to take nothing personally. Least of all, ourselves. For the moment that we do, our spiritual growth and journey comes to a halt. The time of the lone wolf is over. Gather yourselves! Banish the word struggle from your attitude and your vocabulary. All that we do now must be done in a sacred manner and in celebration.

We are the ones we've been waiting for."

Oraibi, Arizona
Hopi Nation

I HAVE VOTED!!!! HAVE YOU????

9:00 am Out the door, newspaper and sample ballot in hand. Coat, gloves (in case it's cold in the shade) and folding camp stool. Just in case. Taking one car and voting with my husband to save gas and parking spots.

9:10 am Pulled into parking lot of local library - our designated polling place. WOW! Are those empty spots I'm seeing? YES! Into a place. Parked and ready.

9:15 am Into line - not a very long one at this point, thank goodness. "You should have seen it at 7 am when the polls opened," the election offical told us.

9:20 am Chit chatting with neighbors and friends. Comparing stories and glad it's such a gorgeous fall day for standing in this not-too-long line.

9:30 am All paperwork completed. Standing in line for a voting machine.

9:40 am Touchscreen voting - notes in hand just to remind me of all the names for the less-publicized but all-so-important local races.

9:55 am VOTING COMPLETED!!! I have my sticker to prove it and it's only taken an hour, start to finish! That was easy!

10:00 am Now for that hot tea I missed this morning and then back emails/phone calls to remind everyone I know to GO VOTE!!!!

More to come....

This is it! Be brave...

Okay, we are there! Just 24 hours from now - well, a little later on the West Coast, maybe - the polls will be closing. Will you have cast your vote? I hope so!!!

Lines are predicted to be long in what's projected to be a record turnout. Someplaces voting may reach 90% - can you believe it? Finally, we will get an "A" in voting! No more of this low 'C' and 'D' level grades for us. Won't it be amazing????

Well, I hope you'll have good weather for your standing in line. And in case it takes a while, better be prepared. Our good friends Stephanie and Wendy at thinkempoword.com are thinking of all of us with these helpful - and fun suggestions. They write:

A healthy dose of bravery and courage may well be needed to vote in this election too. Long lines are predicted at the polls as a record number of voters are expected to turn out. Now I am never one to stand in a long line, but this election, my motto is “Get over it!” Here are some ideas of ways to keep busy while in line:

• Get smart: bring a book
• Get caught up: vote with a friend
• Get in touch: text
• Get grounded: meditate
• Get along: chat with your fellow “line-mates”
• Get Empoword (and hydrated): take your Empoword water bottle to polls.

Spread the word that waiting in line is going to be part of the deal this year, but worth every minute. Be brave, be courageous, be empowered: Vote!

We love it! Be brave. Go VOTE! Hear. Hear. and HERE!