It is November 5, and 2 days have passed since our National Election. Many of us wait with hopes of our candidate winning, wondering why is it taking so long. We anticipate many things – some good, some questionable. What will happen?

I find myself falling into the above trap of waiting, checking my cell phone and refreshing the page I’ve save to watch the results. I find myself wondering and asking myself “is something wrong?” Perhaps, I have learned to mistrust our government, including the election process. However, I know something else and it is becoming more and more evident to me as I continue to be pulled to the outside world of facts. I MUST TURN WITHIN!

No matter who is elected, how they are elected or not elected, I understand that it is still up to me, to we the people, to create for ourselves a Divine Government, a Spiritual Government, where we are governed by the Laws of the Universe. No matter who our leader is, he/she cannot save us from our own inability to reflect love, compassion and kindness into the world. We are the ones. As Victor Frankl wrote, “When we are no longer able to change a situation – we are challenged to change ourselves.”

I am being challenged in every moment to create the government within me that I want to see on the outside. I am the only one in charge of my inner government. What rules me? Am I ruled by Faith or distrust? Am I ruled by resentment or love and acceptance. Am I ruled by anger or by kindness? Am I ruled by lack or abundance.

I am being challenged through this election process to begin to elect one by one all the attributes of God that are mine and that I can use to create a life of Good for myself and for our planet. Those attributes of true Wisdom, Love, Peace, Joy, Beauty, Power for Good, Clarity of Vision, Compassion and the knowing that I am Life are mine to cultivate.

We live in a Spiritual Universe of Inclusivity. It includes everything – the shadows and the sunshine. I recognize it all, and strive to understand that where I choose to live is my life no matter what is going on in the relative world. I make a difference as I govern myself, my thoughts, my actions, my life.

As the final moments of the election process unfold, I continue to vote for love, kindness, compassion and peace on earth.

Love and Aloha,

Rev. Rita Andriello-Feren, Co-Spiritual Director CSL Kaua`i, Licensed Minster, Spiritual Coach.