What if the obstacle is the way?

A heavy morning to wake up, but not a time to give up

I never thought I’d live through this moment twice.

To wake up the morning after election day and learn that Trump had won. As a legal alien of this country, I do not yet have the right to vote. So although I’ve done everything in my power to share my thoughts and influence other voters, it’s a hard loss when I couldn’t even impact the results.

I live and work in this country and am therefore directly impacted by the politics we run. My second child is about to be born into another Trump era which feels almost impossible to say out loud. I fear for both of their futures. What will this mean, for all of us?

Because I also know that many of you are non-US citizens and that this election will heavily influence people’s lives across the world. We’re no longer operating in regional power structures. The choices we make and the policies we abide by impact us all. Climate change impacts us all.

But I’m embracing the ambivalence

I recognize that I can hold opposing feelings at the same time. Frustration and despair can co-exist with curiosity, excitement, and drive. I can grieve how the old power structures keep their strong claws on us while I rejoice in the knowing that new worlds are taking shape too.

Because this is not the end. This is (again) not a time to give up. It’s a time to commit even harder.

On top of my book pile on my nightside table lay The Obstacle Is The Way. I’m reading a chapter every night to retain the mindset that will allow me to finish deadlines and stay the course at 8 months pregnant. I know that my reality is up to me and that my attitude directly reflects the outcome of my efforts. I care about my projects and want to ensure I follow through on my promise to bring them to the world.

The book is doing its part. I’m sticking to my tasks and feeling empowered by what I accomplish to get done, for the one core message Ryan Holiday keeps honing in is that great people rise in challenging times. That groundbreaking ideas take shape in seemingly impossible landscapes. And that when things seem to have reached the end, we enter a new circle of inspiration and thought.

Obstacles are never reasons for defeat. They should be a source of vigilance and inspiration.

Are we there now? Is this (yet another) turning point in our history?

Who knows, and I allow myself to exist in the ambivalence. But I invite us all to harness the fire we feel right now - whether that’s anger, despair, or disbelief. This is our chance to step up and recognize that perhaps, just maybe, the obstacle is the way.

If you have any thoughts you’d like to share this morning, please leave a comment below. We’re in this together! 💛

The next topic here was meant to be on The Power of Optimism and I still intend to make it so. Trust that my commitment to bringing optimism into this world is stronger than ever and that I’ll shortly be sharing many more resources for staying the course.

I believe in you, I believe in us! Let’s do this.

With grounded optimism, always

Anne Therese