I’m not so sure that it is Trump or Biden up on the world stage as it is all of us.

The whole world is involved—everyone is tuning in from all over the globe and with something to say about it. And why not?! It seems reasonable to me, being that we share in this beautiful planet together.

Whatever the outcome, the hate and the constant fighting represents pieces within us that have not yet been made whole or accepted. Have not yet been held in compassion.

We have come so far, and I have faith that we will indeed rise much higher! In the 19th and 20th centuries, humans made spectacular advances in science and technology, and we’re now able to live in comfort and ease unknown to earlier times. To not make light of all the huge issues that affect so many of us, what seems to really be on center stage is self-love, self-worth, and an awareness of our shared humanity.

Perhaps we are just now waking up to the old ways that have never worked? You know—shame, blame, and control.

Just because something has always been a certain way, doesn’t mean it doesn’t need changing. Growth, healing, and transformation are constantly moving all of us to higher ground, even if we can’t see it.

This is a moment like no other, as more of us see and experience our truth within, and begin to mend the divisions we feel. We all come from the same place and are made up of the same cells. What we do with our lives determines not just the world we would like to create, but the true energy of our individual and collective nature combined.

We are not the sum of what we would like to have happen; we are what is actually happening. Being the co-creators we are, our inner work and healing are continuous; it’s an everyday, moment-to-moment practice.

The outside tension is also happening within us, too, and we can only point a gentle finger back to the seat of our soul to see the world “as it is.” As much as we probably don’t want to admit it, the energy of today represents us quite well. At the same time, more of us are taking responsibility for our heavy wounds and baggage, and in so doing, are noticing that we are not alone.

If it is a more loving, equitable, and accepting world that we want to live in, let us see ourselves in all beings.

Be it folks who support Trump, those who support Biden, mothers, fathers, children, caregivers, LGBTQ folks, Jews, Catholics, Muslims, Hindus, and Buddhists, we are humanity.

We don’t have to agree, but at the end of the day, true listening is on center stage too.

Let’s make a vow to listen to each other and to learn from each other. If someone feels seen, heard, and loved, the healing process begins. Trump supporters are not “them,” they have always been “us.” Just like us, they like being seen, heard, and loved by someone who sees them the most, and at the moment, that is Trump.

What if we saw them too, even if, in return, we get less than what we gave? This is true love—but does it sound way too “out there?” I get it!

But consider a dog who has been yelled at or abused—it still returns love to the person who was the source of its bad treatment. This does not come from stupidity, but rather from a deep and compassionate understanding of human shortcomings. It is as if a tolerant spirit dwells in the heart of every canine that asks only to be of service. I guess we could argue that we are not dogs, but perhaps we can try and look beyond our costumes in life—labels, roles, or gender. It’s time for us to rise beyond all the ways we have been taught to separate.

Everybody would like to be seen, heard, and loved. Let’s not “Make America Great Again,” or “Build Back Better,” let’s simply love ourselves and each other enough because we are from the same human family.

We all bleed the same, we all seek happiness, and we all try to avoid suffering. In the end, what connects us human beings is so much more than what separates us.

Being hateful, unkind, or seeing each other as different only supports a world where we are waking up from. Let’s awaken through some deep breaths and give thanks for another day.

We have been given the opportunity to go to the depths of who we are and to be of service from a compassionate understanding. Let’s keep taking little steps for self-care and healing, and reimagine our world filled with love.