Publishers Perspective: In These Trying Times

Publishers Perspective: In These Trying Times

By Josh Warburton, The Day After The Election

As I sit down to write this the morning after Election Day, the Presidential election has yet to be called. As you read this, with the winner most likely determined, you may remember the rollercoaster of this time. The country held our collective breaths while awaiting the final results. So know that these are my sentiments regardless of who won.

And what I want to say is this. Breathe. I think it’s all going to be ok. But frankly, it’s up to us to make it that way. Yes, I’m leading you down a feel-good path toward talk of unity and reconciliation some of you might not be ready for; but please hear me out.

These things I know:

We are more similar in our needs and desires than we are different.

We are more resilient and able to roll with things more so than we might believe. That said, it’s ok to ask for help when we need it, and there’s no shame in it!

We are all Americans (well, some of you may be foreign citizens) where we value liberty, freedom, and individuality, if to a fault. But that’s ok too. We are who we are. We are a wild bunch of humans.

That said, clearly, there are divisions. When someone doesn’t see a fundamental value of yours as equally important to a different fundamental value of theirs, we sometimes can view each other as uncaring, even vicious or dangerous, when the vast majority of us are kind people.

I was reminded of this when a neighbor with who I’d just had a heated exchange online called to offer help with a home project. It meant a lot to me. Enough that I’d like to recommend it to others. Think about it. Think of someone in your neighborhood who you sometimes disagree with politically. Now think of something nice you could do for them. It might be a gift or just a kind word offering to help them or just breaking the ice with a compliment or smile. It’s not that hard. Maybe do it anonymously if you can; that’s always fun. You’ll make someone’s day in these complicated times, even and often, especially if they don’t know who it’s from. Or, do something overt, so they know it’s you. Use it as an excuse to build a bridge. Be the bigger person. Lead by example.

And not just that. But I want you to think of them all as people. Try visualizing them as a baby (probably not too hard in some cases, ha!). But it can help to think of them as a child, with parents, dreams, innocence; you may be able to humanize them rather than dehumanize them, as we’ve gotten pretty good at lately. They are just like you in all the important ways. Optimistic. Doubtful. Yearning. Disappointed. Tired. And all the rest. In a time when you hear the world is going to hell in a handbasket, you can choose to take it and make it into a nice gift basket for your neighbor. Thanksgiving and Christmas are coming if you need an excuse.

Be well.

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