By Donna Zajonc
Like hopeful new parents anticipating the birth of their first child, the nation anxiously awaited to see the face of the future. Shrill partisan voices warned us that the future of our country rested on the outcome of this national election. Each side judged the other as unfit parents.
After weeks of mudslinging, an exhausted public has been left to make sense of the results and what it means for our democracy. Alleviating the post partisan blues may be difficult for some. It definitely will require more than two aspirins.
As a former elected state legislator and a mental health nurse I know it is important to pay attention to post-partisan depression syndrome. Here are a few recommendations to help you manage through this transition period.
Take Time
Sadness and disappointment heal over time. Avoid rushing to judgment or making rash decisions during post partisan depression. The body needs time to rest. Steer clear of strident friends or listening to harsh media programs. Protect your psyche and do something fun.
Grieve
It is best to acknowledge your feelings, which may range from frustration to anger. To move through the stages of loss you must accept your feelings and understand that it is normal to feel depressed when your vision is lost. The sooner you embrace your grief the sooner you will heal and be able to move forward.
Dream Again
A full-blown case of post-partisan depression may mean you have lost your American dream. Begin again. Renew your dream by thinking about your dream and what you want for your family, your community and your children. This is an essential step to heal post-partisan blues.
Converse
It is important to share your dream with others and invite them to do the same. In certain indigenous cultures, dreaming together is the way that community is built. They share and listen. This will be the most challenging part, but it is an imperative part of the process.
Hope
Understand that breakdowns precede breakthroughs. Growth and learning are both a process of letting go as well as embracing new potential. Often, it is through defeat and disappointment that we discover a new possibilities and it is through this understanding we can find hope in the face of defeat.
Healing your individual post-partisan depression will contribute to the collective healing of our American family. Let us use this time to grieve, reach out to one another, listen, converse and dream again.
Donna Zajonc, is a former three term state legislator and
author of the new book The Politics of Hope: Reviving
the Dream of Democracy. Donna teaches ordinary
citizens to be extraordinary public servants. You
may learn more about Donna at www.politicsofhope.com.
Donna can be reached at donna@PoliticsofHope.com
All Rights Reserved: 2008 Donna Zajonc
