As I write this, Joe Biden was just projected to become the winner of the presidential election. It’s been almost four days since the polls closed. A lot of angst and hand-wringing has gone on in different households. The air of uncertainty is not over. (Will “the Donald” participate in a peaceful transition of power?)

After seeing postal operations almost sabotaged this summer (to disrupt mail-in voting), after watching reductions in the number of polling locations and drop boxes (in largely minority neighborhoods), after watching mostly Republican held state legislatures and local courts make it harder to vote, I found myself getting riled up over what I saw as hypocritical cries of protest over voting fraud.

In my mind, organized voter suppression, not ballot irregularities, represent the greater danger to our democracy. Still,

• I was amazed and inspired by scenes of long, winding lines at polling places, some people waiting eight hours to exercise their right to vote.
• I was so grateful for Stacy Abrams and others who made registration and de-mystifying voting options their main work for a long time.
• I was ever so thankful for every person involved in counting ballots and keeping polling places safe, how they did their jobs with such dedication.

Along with much of the world, I decided to be hopeful.

The Invasion of Normandy, D-Day, during WWII, was often referred to as The Longest Day. For me, the Election of 2020 could win honors as The Longest Night.

While the man in the White House watched TV and whined in anticipation of outcomes he wouldn’t like, as COVID cases spiked, Joe Biden continued to vet experts and advisers so he could do the most good as soon as he’s sworn in.

All during this week, Biden exhibited patience, openness, and confidence in his few public appearances. He never claimed victory until it was officially declared. He told his supporters where things stood along the way. He congratulated the whole country for participating in a historic turnout, taking a stand for democracy. He reminded people who didn’t vote for him that he would look out for their best interests as well as those of his most ardent supporters.

I guess he acted like I would hope any president would.

Like many, I was relieved by the results of the presidential race, but I was not happy with the results of the election. Which party would become the majority in the Senate is still in question.

I had hoped for a repudiation of many of the worst things Trump represented: quickness to blame others for problems instead of taking accountability; an authoritarian, not a collaborative, approach to governing; lack of interest in making fact-based decisions; and, maybe most importantly, trying to maximize power through fear instead of love.

It seemed to be the way the man has always operated — in business and in public office. His goal has always been about exercising power and expanding his personal brand. He always seemed to relish conflict if he could take advantage of it.

When I started writing reflections on personal experiences of gratitude, when I started this blog, I didn’t anticipate so many posts would relate to politics and social change, however, during these last four years, I’ve witnessed extraordinary events and behaviors that have put some things front and center in my mind.

I’ve come to think that the purpose of any life is twofold: to share individual gifts and to serve ALL of life. I try to examine my own thoughts and feelings in light of both.

I am genuinely inspired and grateful to people who put aside personal preferences to do a job properly, like counting ballots. I’m also grateful for the opportunity to examine my own reaction to Election 2020 and make a stronger commitment to making a positive difference.

I want to do a better job talking with people who see things differently and still honor my values, always promoting love over fear.

I’ve been thinking of the passage from the bible, from Psalms,

“Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”

I recognize that commentary on these words has bought up the idea that “morning” does not necessarily refer to the “next” morning, like the day after the election. I also recognize that for many, “joy” might refer to accepting grace and that this might be a simple message about having faith.

But this passage has a special meaning for me about learning and growing from every experience. In looking at the longest night, the election that took most of a week to call, I saw how divided the country was.

I am grateful for choosing to live openly and mindfully; to look at any situation as a chance to renew commitments to what I’d like to see more of in the world and examine myself for what I can do better. I want to believe everyone can do a better job of listening to each other and hope that others WANT TO.

To me, understanding that joy can come in the morning depending on what I learn (and do) during the night, is no small thing.