I don’t know about all of you, but I did not at all realize how heavy the weight of uncertainty was until JOY showed up on July 21, 2024.
Now, don’t get me wrong… I was 100% voting for President Biden in November and I believed that he would continue on, working tirelessly for all of us. But there was still that constant weight of uncertainty pressing me down.
Since then, each day the JOY has increased. Dramatically. There are times when the joy so overwhelms me that it leaks out of my eyes unexpectedly.
I did not know that joy could be so cleansing. So inspiring. So uplifting. So CONTAGIOUS! Because I am seeing a lot of JOYFUL faces in the places I go… yes, more smiles at the grocers… more smiles at the post office… more smiles at Joanns! The UPS man!! It seems that JOY is taking hold all over!
I know that all this joy is great, but what if we all just float along on the Sea of Joy and think life is grand and that it is so good that maybe our vote is not necessary… well, that Sea of Joy needs to bring on a TSUNAMI of votes!
Jane mentioned Vote Forward a few days ago and I began doing some research. I very much like what I found… the commitment is very doable… and it is NON-PARTISAN! Can I send a letter to some people sharing why I vote? Why, yes I can! Voting is the one thing that I believe most strongly about… it is our voice in what is happening… from the local boards to the national offices… my vote counts! And when everyone votes… well that is the absolute best way that we can participate in the sometimes messy thing that democracy is. When. We. All. Vote. So yes, I am committed to sending some letters to fellow citizens between now and Election Day.
Perhaps you all are looking for some way to be involved…. Vote Forward might be it!
Now, I am off to bask in the abundance of JOY that is everywhere! Happy Friday all! See you all back here on Monday!
It is amazing to me how quickly things seem to have turned around! I know it’s still a very close race but I am glad not to wake up to dread every day.
the joy is abundant and so refreshing this past week and I am all in!!
A huge weight has been lifted. Thank God!
Couldn’t agree more. My grandmother couldn’t vote till her son my Dad was five years old. I owe it to her and women everywhere to vote. Good for you.
It’s pretty exciting to think that my daughter will be able to vote in the next election, and I’m pretty excited to vote in this one! I think Joe Biden is a good human being and I would have voted for him, but I just was not so excited about having a choice of two old white men again. I love the new energy around Kamala and about engagement more generally!
So glad to see this here! I’ve been doing Vote Forward since the midterm elections in 2018. It’s one of those ways to feel like I’m adding pebbles to democracy’s bucket—however small my pebbles may be! I also love that they have support options, for example, purchasing stamps for voters who want to send letters but for whom the ever-rising cost of postage is prohibitive. Such a thoughtful organization! And such a thoughtful post!
I’m feeling the JOY, too and it’s amazing! I’ll be sending postcards to voters in swing states and I’m so happy to do it.
It’s interesting watching the outcomes of elections based on who shows up – in England if it’s raining elections go one way, and if it’s not they go the other (or something like that). In Australia we get fined if we don’t vote. It means we all do it, even those who don’t think their vote makes a difference.
I’m so glad that Vote Forward struck a chord for you. I have written letters in the last two general elections. They seem to be a good organization and the instructions that come with the list of addresses is well thought out. I can feel the joy and while there is plenty of work to do there is a ray of hope.