Looking for the Light at the End of a Very Dark Tunnel

Here we are, January 20th, 2025, Inauguration Day, or is it coronation day? Many of us have been dragged kicking and screaming to this point; I wonder how many others just left the planet so they didn’t have to endure this period of American history. If I were to look back at the path of the last couple of months, I might be able to see the skidmarks I left behind. Even though 2024 was probably the most exhausting year ever, I, and many people I know, are mourning what appears to be the loss of democracy when, once more, the worst possible candidate ever was re-elected. This leaves us in some limbo and on the verge of falling into a darkness we have never felt in this country, living under a dictator with no rights and few ways to fight back. I am trying to be hopeful that in 2 years, we can elect Democrats to Congress, and in 4 years, we can elect someone sane and not a power-hungry monster to be president, not a dictator.

And yet, here I am in 2025, happy to be alive and working hard to focus on survival. I am not a person who easily gives up. I need to do everything I can to maintain my own sanity and positive energy, remember, I am healing from cancer. And because I find living in a loving and supportive community is good for me, I want to do what I can to maintain community and find light sources to keep us out of the dismal darkness that many fear is coming. In reality, community is good for all of us.

Many of our community leaders, heads of industry, media sources, and government leaders have already capitulated and bent to kiss the ring. It is hard to stay positive when those you respect now have given in to save their skin or make more money.

Over the last few weeks, I have been reading about past authoritarians. Control by oligarchs is not a new thing; it is actually how Caesar took over Rome and ended a democratic empire that had lasted much longer than ours. In all truth, there have been a few times in our history when authoritarians, white supremacists, and wealthy oligarchs (all of which are believers in scarcity economics, which perpetuates the idea that there is not enough for everyone, so therefore, we must limit access using religion or force to control those who are not like “us.”

 All over the world, governments are moving to the right, I wonder if people are afraid of too much freedom, which I find very bizarre. Why do we all have to be the same and live the same controlled life? Variety is the spice of life. I enjoy mixing with people who have different perspectives.

Many people I have talked to just want to ignore it all and hide in the dark and hope things aren’t as bad as they could be. 4 years is a long time to hide in the dark, and giving in to the darkness will not bring back the light.

In my opinion, we need to continue to build our communities; we need to support each other in doing what is right for our world. We can fight climate change as individuals and communities. We can fight inequality by accepting, supporting, and protecting those who are disadvantaged or seen as “untouchables,” like immigrants, LGBTQ, people of color, Indigenous people, and even women who are being attacked by this new administration. It is up to us to make sure all of these rights are protected, no matter what the big government says. If you have ideas and the desire to help make a change, why not run for a local office? We need people to lead. This could be you! Remember, this country is built on the power of the people. We ARE the people! If we want to change things, we have to do the work. We all have gifts and talents we can use to build our communities.

I want to be someone who continues to see the light at the end of the tunnel and helps inspire those who need the inspiration to keep freedom and the American dream alive as viable realities for those struggling to keep going forward.

I believe that sharing ideas, techniques, and opportunities helps create more wealth for all of us and a much healthier society. 

So, yes, I do think this will be a challenging year. And since there is no way around living through this year if I want to remain on the planet, I also look forward to doing my part to help move us forward with inspiration, positive energy, creative ideas, and, of course, art and I hope you will stick around and help.

Even today, I do believe it is possible to 

Have a Happy Day

Cheryl