Depending on the season of the year and the season of my life, my evolving spiritual practices include centering prayer and other forms of meditation, gardening, swimming, biking, writing, watching sunrise and sunset, and even picking up sticks. These are all activities that I engage in with the intention of paying attention to the movement of Spirit within me and around me. Of course, I realize that every single moment of my life is the real spiritual practice. I’m just not very good at paying attention in a sustained way without some of these other habits.
Lately, I’ve been wondering: is it possible that even voting in a contentious presidential election might be considered a spiritual practice? Full Disclosure: Here in Chicago, I mailed my early voting ballot more than a week ago. I honestly can’t say that I felt a strong connection to Spirit as I filled in the little circles, googled some of the judges and school board candidates, placed my ballot in the envelope, added my signature, and then mailed it.
At the same time, voting required careful discernment. I had to listen closely to each of the presidential candidates and their running mates. It was challenging, but I tried to listen to what they were saying and how they were saying it rather than simply listening to what others told me they were saying. (I confess: I often got caught up in the latter.) As I attempted to listen closely, I was aware of three things: personality, policies, and character.
First, personality matters. I found it painful to listen to one of the candidates. On the positive side, I almost made it through their entire convention speech before dozing off. Nobody should speak for 90 minutes! I didn’t do as well with their first debate. I had a pretty good excuse; I was traveling in Canada with my family at the time.
Second, policy is important. I want a president with policies designed to help ALL people and our climate heal and thrive. I also recognize that policies are going to continue to be refined over time.
Finally, character is critical. If I vote for someone who constantly lies, I am supporting dishonesty. If I vote for someone who treats so many people without respect, I am supporting disrespect. If I vote for someone who works hard to divide people, I am supporting divisiveness.
So, who did I vote for? The real question is, what did I vote for? I voted for hope over fear. I voted for kindness over bullying. I voted for unity over division. Finally, I voted for competence over chaos.
I didn’t vote for perfection. This isn’t possible, but I did vote for the presidential candidate that I discerned was committed to doing their best for the American people and for our world.
How about you? Do you view voting as a spiritual practice? What has your discernment been like? What are you voting for?
With hope,
Bridget
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