We are in a time of tremendous upheaval since the inauguration of President Donald Trump. For many Americans, including me, the sweeping changes made in federal leadership and policy have been frightening. The haste and lack of thoughtfulness in these declarations betray the administration’s lack of wisdom and carelessness. Millions of people are at risk due to these changes.
Fear is a constant in many of our lives right now. I am reminded of the natural human reactions to fear: fight, flight or freeze. We often try to get people past these initial, normal reactions to danger. But these responses are not necessarily bad.
The three reactions are said to come from our “animal brain,” the amygdala. They are the reactions that animals typically exhibit when threatened. These reactions often keep them safe. The same could be true for us, at least at first. There are reasons to fight (see below), reasons to escape, reasons to freeze in place while determining what to do next.
But we do have to decide what to do next. How will we respond to the actions of a president that we consider dangerous to democracy and to individuals within our borders?
I have ten suggestions beyond the big three F’s. I encourage my readers to consider moving forward with at least one or two of these actions every day, for your own well-being and for the good of our country.

1. FEEL. Don’t try to push away your fears or any other emotions you have right now. They will not kill you. They simply indicate that you are human. You can identify with them and sit with them, having compassion on each feeling as a normal human reaction. If it helps, write about what you are feeling. Talk with a trusted friend.
2. FACE REALITY. While we hope that changes will be challenged and rolled back, we also need to recognize their impact. How are you being affected? Is there anything you can do about it? How are other people’s jobs, safety, health being affected? Can you do something today to help them? See #3.
3. FIND YOUR VOICE. Every person can call their senators and representatives to be counted among those who are against the changes. Some of the agencies affected are overseen by Congress, so your elected officials have a responsibility to log your concerns and take them into account. A helpful app for doing this is 5Calls.
4. FEED YOUR SOUL. Go for a walk, and be awed by the systems and beauty in nature. Read your favorite authors and poets and scriptures. Make something. Visit an art gallery. Lean into your FAITH. Pour out your requests to the Divine. Stay connected with your religious congregation or other support group. We are in community so that we can remind one another about the love and power of God that do not change with political winds.
5. FLEX YOUR LOVE MUSCLES. Your grandchildren still need your hugs. Your widowed neighbor could use a friend. Start with people who are easy to love, but then move on. The people who trouble you need your love too, and you need to love them. We are all broken in some way, and we share that in common. Listen to their story, and share yours.
6. FOCUS ON THE GOOD. Do not let cynicism take over. There are wonderful people doing good things right down the street from you. Remember how you banded together in a crisis. And be grateful. List FIVE things for which you are thankful every evening. Gratitude will save you from despair.
7. FILTER YOUR NEWS. The media depends on crises to keep you watching. There is plenty to be upset about, for sure. But you do not need to hear it every moment. Decide which news outlets you trust and pace yourself. Take in what you can manage, and leave the rest for another day or for other people to address. This is not sticking your head in the sand. This is self care, enabling you to move forward with integrity and wisdom. My go-to resources include Diana Butler Bass’ “The Cottage” blog and Heather Cox Richardson’s “Letters from an American.” I know I need to listen to news outlets I don’t like. I’ll get there!
8. FORGIVE. Yeah, I know this is the hardest one. If you are a follower of Jesus, it is not optional. But you can set the intention to forgive others for being human, for acting out of anxiety, for living out the stresses and tragedies they have experienced. Eventually you will get better at this.
9. FORMULATE A PLAN. Decide which actions are within your ability, and develop your approach. Seek spiritual practices that will help you to be at peace, and set a time to do them daily. Find other people who share your concerns, and discuss how you can act and support one another in the process.
10. FIGHT. I tend to resist this. Jesus says, “Turn the other cheek,” after all. But there comes a time when we need to push back. I will admit that I have been complacent for too long, so I am finding ways to speak out and have an influence. You have your own path; please do not abandon it. For encouragement in this area, I’ll share a quote from Valarie Kaur in her book See No Stranger: A Memoir and Manifesto of Revolutionary Love. Kaur has worked with countless people victimized by terror attacks and school shootings, both in her Sikh community and among people of all faiths. In the Sikh faith, the warrior-sage is a role sometimes deemed necessary in an otherwise peace-loving world view:
    “What does it mean to be a warrior-sage for a new time? Who will you fight for? What will you risk? It begins with honoring the fight impulse in you. Think about what breaks your heart. Notice what it feels like to have your fists clench, your jaw close, your pulse quicken. Notice what it feels like to want to fight back. Honor that in yourself. You are alive and have something worth fighting for. Now comes the second moment: How will you channel that into something tat delivers life instead of death? Breathe. Think. Then choose your sword and shield. You don’t have to know the answers. You just have to be ready for the moment when the world says: Now.”
    So. You can admit you are afraid. You have a reservoir of courage within you that you might not recognize. Maybe you have not needed it until now. You can do one thing today, and again tomorrow, and maybe two things the next day. The power and courage you discover within are yours to wield and celebrate. FORWARD, my friend!