How would you complete that statement today?

In the wake of a highly contentious election, and an equally stressful postelection season, people seem to be struggling to find their source of calm and healing.

Would you choose to pray or protest?

Do you find comfort in the company of like-minded citizens, even if they are complete strangers? Or, do you find yourself staying close to home and holding your loved ones just a little closer?

I would complete the above statement in two ways: Keep calm and stay educated. And keep calm and journal.

My children are the reason I’ve chosen these two paths.

On the morning of Nov. 9, 2016, my daughters cried. They followed this election carefully and had very strong views on the candidates.

This was my older daughter’s first time voting. And my younger daughter proved herself educated beyond her years, being able to easily converse about the issues.

I am not a political person and have never aligned with one political party. I have always voted for the candidate whose platform most matched my needs at that particular time in my life.

I did not vote for Donald Trump, and I was admittedly disappointed by the outcome of the election. But, when such an event causes your children to cry, it is a parent’s job to help them heal, to help them find their calm.

I am teaching my children by example - by accepting the outcome.

I admit I don’t listen to his news conferences because I’m still struggling to get past a tone I find belittling and condescending.

But I do read the accounts in varied publications.

On Nov. 9, 2016, I urged my daughters to keep calm and work to heal this country by not working against it.

They find their calm by continuing to stay educated on the issues.

My older daughter finds her peace in the gym; my younger daughter, in her sketchbook. For me, journaling has been very healing and therapeutic.

Calmness helps us to think more clearly and be respectful of other people’s thoughts.

When my 19-year-old calls from college with a question about something she read on her news feed or my 16-year-old comes home from school with a political comment she heard in the halls that day, I feel confident I can calmly converse with them, correcting misconceptions and giving them accurate information, if necessary.

People find their calm in different ways. Some have chosen to take part in marches or wear pink hats as a symbol of solidarity. Although I surely appreciate people’s right to expression and assembly, those methods would not be healing for me. I find them counterproductive, disruptive to the process of closing this division and healing our country.

Whether or not we are happy with the outcome of the election, we have to admit there has been an outcome.

It’s been three months since the election and one month since the inauguration. Moving past it for the sake of our country is paramount.

I talked with people who’ve chosen yoga, classical music or dedicated one-on-one time with loved ones as their method. Just finding a way to be calm is the key.

So you decide - how would you finish that statement?

Kelly Lutterschmidt

editor

Catasauqua Press

Northampton Press

Whitehall-Coplay Press