Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor, Your Huddled Masses Yearning to Breathe Free

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Initially, I sat down with the intent to write an article about how the results of the election will affect small business operation. We’ve seen the stock market plummet overnight, heard promises of tax cuts, reclaimed jobs, and wide reaching plans for the economy; but that’s not what we need right now.

Anyone will tell you that mixing business with politics is a horrible idea; that’s not what we’re aiming to do. Taking an objective look at the situation, anyone can see that people are scared, overwhelmed, and unsure. Many are looking for other countries in which to take refuge. But now more than ever is when we need our communities. This country has seen periods of immense violence and darkness in its history -- the Civil War, segregation, Japanese internment -- and although those dark clouds threatened to dim our skies forever, they cleared. That’s the American story, according to Jonathan Chait of New York Magazine: “fitful progress, punctuated by frequent reversals.”

Strengthening a community begins with bolstering our own resilience. Start within:

  • Take care of yourself. You’re allowed to be emotional. This election period has been one of the most divisive, vitriolic, and upsetting in modern history. Tempers are flaring on both sides of the equation. Just know that you’re not alone, wherever you fall on the spectrum. If you need someone to talk to, get in touch with the Crisis Center of Brevard at 407-425-2624.
    • Set as many health appointments as you can before the end of the year - especially if you're a woman. Health care regulations are about to change drastically and it's important that you're prepared.
  • Step away from social media. This might seem like an odd thing for a social media marketing firm to advocate, but the flames are still burning high on just about every popular social channel, and the memes and flippancy aren’t helping. Entangling yourself in a flame war will only lead to further frustrations. Allow yourself to disconnect and take a few deep breaths; it’s a gorgeous day outside.
  • Reach out to those who need help. More than anything, there are people in this country who are at risk of losing their civil rights, people who have made amazing strides over the last decade only to see a disheartening setback. Show your solidarity by volunteering:

One of the most beautiful (and often painful) parts of democracy is that it reminds us how deeply different we all are, but our variety of backgrounds and life experiences make our story one of the richest and most colorful. At the end of the day, every one of us is yearning to breathe free. Exercise your right to disagree, and most importantly, keep building each other up.

Lex Burton