The New Administration “Flooding the Zone,” 2-9-25
The following is an encouraging article from Rev. Scott Awbrey
This has been a wild week, with way more news coming out of the new administration than anyone can follow. And it’s by design. “All we have to do is flood the zone,” one political operative said. “Every day we hit the media and the public with more things than they can digest. They’ll never recover.” The new presidency is living up to that idea, releasing dozens of executive orders. For many, many people the world over, it’s baffling, angering, and heart-breaking.
How do we remain informed, and not lose our spiritual composure? David Folkenflik, NPR analyst, reminded us that “There is still joy and wonder and discovery in the world.” He said that we need to have a balanced diet. He added, in essence, that, while we may not be able to completely turn away from politics, we can still have meaningful experiences: being with family, watching a sunset, and eating delicious meals. Folkenflik also warned about taking in too much “news” from social media. It’s a lot like candy. It’s easy to digest, but we have to be discerning. “I encourage you to open your aperture wider so that you’re witnessing and experiencing the whole of life.”
The University of Michigan offered ways to reduce politically-induced stress:
- Be aware of how much time you spend engaging with political content. Take in content from reputable sources, and limit how much you consume.
- Be mindful of your surroundings when sharing opinions.
- Be open to learning about other points of view. Mindfully listen to understand. Have your discussions be respectful.
- Step away from conversations. Slipping away without making a parting comment is probably best.
- Self-assess your interest. Assess why you consume political content, how much you consume, where you consume it from, and how it makes you feel.
Stayed prayed-up. (This last tip is not from a news organization.) Live with a mindful awareness that we are all connected. And that this, too, shall pass.
Quotes
“Our engagement in politics should be rooted in the flow of God’s love. Then everything changes. We are no longer guided by political events, but are compelled by what we know is most real.” – Wes Granberg-Michaelson, managing editor of Sojourners magazine
“It’s time to remind myself that who I most fundamentally am is not defined by politics or country, but by the loving Spirit that created me. It’s time to be held by that deeper, wider, eternal perspective so I can hold my country and my fellow citizens with love and not bitterness…so I can come back out into the world with the strength and faith to do my small part in shaping this country I love into the country I know it can be.” – Ian Cummins, The Open Gate
“We are called to engage in a great mobilization, recognition, conversion, and transformation, because now the issues are too big, too real, and too right in front of us every day.” – Richard Rohr
“For individuals with whom we have a fundamentally different view of politics, our appropriate response is to feel not a gloating moral superiority, but a truly deep compassion. Indeed, compassion is the only judgmental attitude we’re allowed – the only one.” – Ken Wilber