Choosing hope in a changing landscape

British Columbia, my home province, just went through an election. We are now leaning Conservative. The last time this happened was in 1928.

I do not personally resonate with Conservative values. I fully understand that collectively we are going through a hard time, and that a lot of people are simply looking for something different in hopes that change will bring an end to the suffering. But I feel like this is a time to band together and this move does have a divisive tone to it.

It feels weird to me to think that I now live in a Conservative province, as that is not my image of British Columbia. It is a total unknown because we have no modern examples of what it looks like for British Columbia to have a Conservative government.

I see people are worried about our human rights being clawed back. People are worried about the environment becoming more burdened. People are worried about indigenous rights being revoked. There are a lot of potential threats to the collective wellbeing with this change.

I am choosing to have hope though. Because no matter what happens at that level, the local movement will continue to push on the things that matter. There will continue to be people who fight for human rights for all. There will continue to be land acknowledgements even if the government isn’t supporting that movement. There will be people who choose to do the loving thing because it is the natural way of Being.

Until all people have love in their hearts, we will always have these fears of oppression and struggle. The problems we have are not going to be solved by a political party. The problems we have are going to be solved by a change of heart.

And so, I am choosing to be open minded and not let fear take me over. I am willing to remain open to the possibility that something good can come from change, even if it isn’t apparent at first. And that I am can learn something along the way.

Fear will only cloud my judgement, and in this time sound judgment is required.

We all need to be paying attention to what is taking place and be attentive to protecting what is important to us. My focus is on my local community: how I can help protect the environment and strengthen the people around me. I foresee gatherings centred around the theme of sending love out to all of our neighbours.

This is not a time for passivity. That is clear.

May we find a system that truly represents us all, instead of one that divides us.