What shall we do in this painful new reality?

Dear friend,

In these days since the election
each of us is doing our best to understand:

What happened?

Why did it happen?

What is going to happen now?

And what can I do about it?

We are gradually arriving
at basic answers to these questions.

Through evaluating our strengths and values
each of us is considering
our most effective path of action.

We are seeking to identify
the avenue of contribution to our Republic
that we are best suited for.

We are finding our way forward.

Even as we do this

Even as we look within ourselves
we see there are battles outside
already looming.

We see Trump’s horrendous Cabinet nominees.

We see his inhumane plan to launch mass deportations.

We see his imminent scheme to weaponize our system of justice.

These battles will need to be fought on many levels.

All such threats to our Republic
will need to be resisted
—psychologically, spiritually and politically.

To prepare ourselves to face
all that is coming in the months and years ahead
we need to find leaders
with wisdom and courage.

Those with the clarity of thought
to develop our strategy for victory

and lead us in implementing it.

Those who can give us their insight,
their guidance and their love

so that together we can face reality
and be as effective as possible
in defense of our Republic.

Sharing the treasure

I have been spending time this week
searching for wise and courageous leaders.

I am sure there are many I haven’t yet discovered
but I was blessed to find one.

So today I am going to share him
and his words with you.

They are the most constructive,
inspiring and comforting words
I have found
since Kamala Harris’ profound farewell.

They address far better than I can
the question I have raised:

What do we do in this painful new reality?

Here is Cory Booker.

Please open your heart
and receive the grace he offers.

Blessings,

Dr. Hall

PS transcript below

Cory Booker November 10, 2024

Like many of you in this moment
I think I have felt the full range of emotion
— shock, hurt, anger, fear, pain —
and I’ve done my share of introspection.

It’s hard to work through
the consequences of this election,
from Project 2025
to Trump threatening retribution
and even prosecution
against people who stood against him.

So yeah — it’s hard now
and there are tough times ahead.

Things are not okay.

We should feel grief
— but never despair.

We should be angry
but not bitter.

Sad, but not cynical.

This is a defeat
but we are not defeated.

I promise you:
there is something in all of us
that is unconquerable.

Take instruction and inspiration
from those who came before us.

Our ancestors in our nation’s long history.

What they had to take on,
the setbacks they faced —

and how, despite tragedy,
wretched oppression,
unimaginable loss and grief,

they kept working to overcome,
and move our nation forward.

Our ancestors’ legacy to us
is a masters class in invincible spirit

—to never giving up

—to unconquerable love.

I don’t know for sure
what’s going to happen.

We have to be ready, though,
to stand up and do the work.

I know we may lose
some of the fights ahead.

But if we fight
we will win some, too.

In this time
we should make extra effort
to care for one another.

To find, create, and deepen community.

We are here for a purpose.

Now, more than ever,
other people —
this country, and even this world —
need us to do a lot of good.

As much as we can.

Donald Trump is president,
and Republicans will control the Senate
— but we are not powerless.

We can still love one another.

We can still help people.

We can still protect people.

We can still put our arms around folks

— and to someone today
we can be a ray of light
in a dark, tough time.

We can — we will —
do good.

Because no righteous word,
no noble act,
no kind deed,
is ever in vain.

We are our ancestors’ dreams
— and the only hope for a better tomorrow.

Let’s be hope,
not look for it.

and let’s start now.