Last week on FYFA (and in my life):
I know it’s been sparse around here, guys. I have to confess that I’m not doing well after Tuesday’s elections—like, I cry at least three times a day at the state of our country—and I couldn’t bring myself to do anything book or blogging related at all. Finally, yesterday, I did post my review of Heartless because I’d made a promise to the publisher that I would get it up this week and I didn’t want to break that promise. (And, by the way, it was amazing, so finishing it up was a slight relief at bedtime the past couple nights when my mind would have otherwise been racing.)
I’m feeling a little more hopeful today, mainly because I went to church last night and just worshipped and tried hard to remind myself that just because we humans are completely messed up doesn’t mean that God isn’t listening. I know a lot of you don’t want to hear that right now because you’re pretty much not trusting the Christian viewpoint on anything. I get that, and I’m certainly not going to sit here and preach—not after the week we’ve had.
I only posted one thing on Facebook this week, and I thought I’d share it here because I want those of you read my blog to know what I stand for:
I’m not going to post my usual Sunday Post filled with giveaways and book hauls. I just can’t do it yet. Next week, I think I’ll be back to (semi)normal form.
For this week, I just want to say, be good to yourselves. Be good to the people around you. Show love. Nothing is more important right now.
Mm, this is important, yeah. Just because a majority of a certain group of people made a horrible decision, it doesn’t mean that there aren’t still A LOT of people who didn’t. I’m happy you posted this, Nicole. I hope you’ll get through all of this as smoothly as possible and don’t worry about your blog, you take care of yourself first.
Yes, this is so incredibly hard. None of my closest Christian friends voted for Trump, and we were all pretty shocked with the results of the election. But I do know people who voted for him, and I don’t think they’re horrible people–they’re certainly not meaning to stand up for hate and injustice, but right now the results of that vote are being felt, and it isn’t pretty. It makes me incredibly sad, and it makes me want to stand up for the things I believe in–it’s certainly shaken me out of complacency.
I agree 100%. This is a terrifying moment in our history and I can’t go back to normal because things are no longer normal. People have to take a stand in whatever ways they can to show support to the people who will be targeted come 1/20 and make it clear that this is not ok. Whether it’s joining peaceful protests, wearing safety pins, signing petitions, boycotting business that support him, speaking out, or comforting those who are scared.
Yes, we can’t go back to just ignoring the reality of racism and fear in our country anymore. I have vowed to keep fighting, even when this feeling of desperation has passed.
I’ve had my moments of tears this week too, particularly during Hillary’s speech on Wednesday. It is sad to think of what could lie in store for our country and thus haven’t been in a blogging state either. I must remember that “Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.” Great man Dumbledore.
I love that we can find quotes like that in our books. Anyone who says books aren’t important doesn’t know what they’re talking about!
This is a beautiful post, Nicole. Thank you for keeping the hopes alive. As a Canadian, I’m wholly disturbed by how this election went down and how emotionally affected I am by the outcome. But I have learned a thing or two about myself and what I can no longer tolerate. I can no longer tolerate standing by to the injustices that I see everyday, and I’m thankful for your country for letting me see my ways.
Yes, in some ways, I guess it’s good that we’re being forced to see the reality that we’ve been ignoring for so long. I just wish it had happened in another way!!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, which make the rest of us who were stunned by the outcome feel less alone.
I am surrounded (IRL) by people who are gloating and happy about the results, and I’m wondering where to go for comfort…but I’m finding it here, in the blogging community.
Thanks!
Maybe there will be a light at the end of this dark tunnel (pardon the cliche!). We must somehow wrap our minds around the events, and figure out how to move forward.
I did some reading (to escape), so here are MY WEEKLY UPDATES
I live in IL, which is a pretty liberal, democratic state, so there aren’t many people gloating, at least not the people that I know directly. But even here, there have been racist acts done in Trump’s name. It makes me so sad. Take care of yourself and lean on the bookish community when the world immediately around you is looking bleak!
Wonderful post Nicole. I cried a lot Tuesday/Wednesday. I want to say I can’t believe he won, but I can believe it and that makes it even sadder. I don’t understand how people voted for him, and I know friends and family that did and that are relatively good people – in terms of who they care about. However, they voted for someone who ran on hate and I can’t understand that. So no, I won’t be quiet, even though people on Facebook keep asking people too. I don’t believe God/Jesus/whoever you believe in would agree with this choice. Not at all, and it’s weird for me to see people that say they are very religious praising this choice. This is not the way. It will not lead to a new, GREAT America. Not with the hate that is already swirling around after the election – it’s been there, but people are more emboldened now and that’s very very upsetting.
-Lauren
Like you, I know people who voted for him and I know they’re not hateful people. I don’t think a lot of people realize the impact of putting someone like Trump into the White House has on the climate of our nation. They voted for change or because they couldn’t stand Hillary either, and I get that. (For the record, I know some Christians who said that they couldn’t vote for either candidate with a clear conscience and voted third party or not at all, and I respect that choice – I know there’s been a lot of controversy about that, but I can understand their viewpoint.) I hope we can get past this, but I think it’s going to take us a good, long time. I’m still sad, but I’m trying to be hopeful too!
Mind boggling. I’m still having trouble believing it, and the thought of them moving into the White House… yeah. I am also shocked at the % of evangelicals who voted for the man. Seriously??? But just know you’re not alone- there’s a lot of us who feel the same (and judging by the popular vote count… but I won’t go there). It does feel like a different world though. I’ve never really been afraid for my country before, not like this…
Anyway I like your post and completely agree! Take care this week.
I completely agree. I’ve always known we had problems, but I’ve never been so afraid that hate would win out before. It makes me so incredibly sad.
I was shocked at the outcome (like many were)! I’m Canadian, so not as affected as you, but most of our country was watching and waiting for the results as well. It sure shocked our country! I truly hope that he will surprise us all once more and good will come of this. Good luck to you, your country, and the countries around the world that will undoubtedly be affected by this. Try to stay positive!
Well, considering that the Canadian immigration site went down, you might be more affected by this election than you thought! 🙂 I hope we can move past the division in our country, but it looks sort of bleak. I’m sad, but I’m trying to get back to a place of hope.
What a wonderful post. I cried quite a few times this week over the election and I feel like I still can’t get into the swing of things but I’m hoping to be okay this week. I’m hoping you’ll be okay too. Have a wonderful week.
I’m getting a bit better. Last week, I found myself breaking into tears at random intervals. I just couldn’t believe what was happening and how we seemed to be embracing hate and division.
I feel you, Nicole, and though I’m not religious at all, I am right there with you. <3 Jesus taught us to love, have compassion and understanding. I hope that everyone can see that, and soon. I've cried many times this week and also sat numb and detached. It's been very emotional for sure. Much love.
I suddenly realized on Sunday that I was seriously falling into a depression and that I had to snap myself out of it because it wasn’t going to help anyone. Now I just have to look for ways to actually help!
Thank you, Nicole, for your words that represent what I feel as well. I would like to also share what a priest of my denomination wrote:
“Dear friends, let us remember, in this time of soul storms and turmoil, that Christ did not come into the world to support a particular political party or a particular country. Let us remember that the real world is not what we see in politics or media. Let us remember that our battle is not with flesh and blood but with spiritual adversaries that seek to fill our hearts with fear and hate. Let us remember that our task is not to fix the world, but to bring love into a broken world. Let us remember that the divine call is still the same as it was before the election; not to eradicate and destroy evil, but in the destructive darkness to find light. Let us remember that Christ walks with all human souls no matter how corrupt, hoping to root us in the Father Ground of the World.”
If only this event can be a call for us to wake up to these truths. I feel a responsibility now to strive more and more toward them every day.
Those are lovely words, Lory. Thank you so much for sharing them! Our pastor had a very encouraging message this past weekend as well and he encouraged us to stand up to hate wherever we see it—and he also stressed that Jesus wasn’t a democrat or a republican, so we have to focus on our character more than our political affiliation.
I understand your sadness^^ Even though I’m Canadian we’re inherently familiar with the U.S’s goings on and I’ve always followed U.S. politics. I was deeply upset by the events of last week and honestly, I cried a few times in the following days as well. I remember crying tears of joy when Obama was elected 8 years ago because I was so happy for what it meant for the world…and now 8 years later, I’m filled with the exact opposite reaction. I sincerely hope that there will be some positives to come out of all of this but right now? I’m not quite there yet. Sending lots of love to you and my American friends! xx
Yes, Trump’s election doesn’t only affect the US—it’s a symbol of the heart of the human condition, which affects us all.
I too have been saddened by this election. I didn’t vote, though. But even though we are shocked and sad, we need to move on from it.
I’m definitely trying, and I think I’m finally getting there. Not moving on, exactly, but moving forward. I don’t want to put blinders back on and ignore what’s happening in our country, but I do want to focus on positive ways I can help!
Hang in there. My middle school hasn’t had as much fall out (yet) as we feared, but the high school in our community has seen many horrific statements of racism directed to students by classmates. That’s the focus on my horror, since that’s my lens on the world.
I think the things happening in our schools make me saddest of all because they show that we’re passing hatred down to our children. For all of our focus in our schools on bullying, I find it sad that we put a bully in office. I truly hope that Trump’s post-election persona sticks around, at least for the sake of our kids who are watching him (even if a lot of us adults are looking at his changes of heart with some deserved skepticism).
You are not the only one in shock, the whole world is feeling it, I tell you! Even down here it was a huge impact on us as well. We’ve had our fair share of political issues of late as well. We can only hope that we get through it as best as we can as individuals.
Yes, one of the reasons this is all so crazy and painful is because the whole world IS watching. I agree that the best we can do is try to be a light as individuals.
Beautiful post, Nicole. I think most of us are experiencing similar feelings. Shock and sadness and uncertainty about what this means for the future of our country and its people. I’m trying hard to remain positive and hopeful but, boy, it sure isn’t easy. I keep trying to remind myself that a president is not a dictator and cannot rule with absolute power. There is the Congress and Senate to (hopefully) balance his (I’m just going to say it) idiocy. I’m just looking forward to 200 when we will hopefully get it right.
Yes, it seems like most of Trump’s most extreme plans will no doubt be thwarted. It’s just too bad that many people felt like they had to support a man with so much hate in the hopes of ANY sort of change. I think there’s a lot of desperation out there right now—on both sides of the political arena.
Aw sweetie, big hugs ♥♥ I feel you. I have been just like a zombie for over a week now. And it is almost worse in the moments when I DO forget for a second- because then I am mad at myself, like HOW could I forget, even for a second, what is happening? It’s all just so hard to navigate. I imagine it is very difficult for you, as I know it is for some of my other religious friends, because there seems to be such a divide among religious folks. My mom is a lot like you, I think- has a strong faith, but also believes in rights and equality for all. It’s been hard for her, because like you said, people at her church are actually happy about this, and it sickens her- makes her question things, you know?
Anyway, I agree, it is hard to even think about books basically. I am trying, because I feel like just letting it all fall apart is giving You Know Who exactly what he wants- control and power over our lives. So I think that fighting and making things better is so important, of course, but I also am trying (and yeah, a lot of times failing) to still keep books and blogging in my life.
P.S.- You beat me like, every day in NaNo by like, a thousand words, and it drives me bananas. I love you immensely and figured you would get a kick out of that 😉 Take care of yourself and your family, my dear ♥
Ha! I’m glad that I can push you to write, write, write!! It’s all part of my evil master plan! (Or maybe Trump’s? … Wait, no, I got confused.)
I completely agree with you Nicole. I was so shocked by the election results and to say that I was unhappy is an understatement. It’s so awful. There are not enough words . . .