I felt a little hope - Jennifer Goble Ph.D

To preface, I have nothing against Republican philosophy; I often vote on that side of the ticket. But I feel the party’s color has shifted from red to something dark, and its current message and tone evoke fear and sadness in my soul. It counters what I believe to be mentally healthy.

Enough about that. I felt a little hope as I listened to the many motivational speakers in Chicago. Sure, they naturally jabbed at the opponent, but their messages lifted me.

Many men and women spoke about their mothers’ influence. It was a thread interwoven in many speeches, and if you read my column, you know I credit my mother; God Bless her for who I am today. I often include “momisms” in my writing, and I catch myself quoting her at least once a week. She was a great act to follow.

I was also impressed by the delegates attending the convention. The crowd included every shape, size, age, and color. I especially noticed the many young people attending who will grow and preserve the country they inherit from us.

I wanted to be in Chicago and catch the enthusiasm I have been missing for so long.

The chant from the convention I grabbed and hung onto is, “We can’t go back!” I grew up with only sisters and have spent my entire life supporting, working for, and encouraging women to stand up, show up, and speak up. I want our politics on both sides to continue supporting respectful equality, fairness, and personal rights—not to take us back to the good ole days that were not always so good.

We fought for a reason, and we have scars to prove we won and lost, but we gave it our best. I guess that is what I saw from the convention—reaping the harvest of generations who supported each other to become good, better, and best. The convention highlighted dynamic women who were still giving their all, charting a path, sharing what they’ve learned, not giving up, and unwilling to go back.

I felt validated as I watched speakers come and go and listened to the core of their messages.

I felt hopeful that maybe, just maybe, we could, as a nation, feel more hope and less hate, coexist with more kindness, and listen even if we don’t understand or agree. In our ideals of a perfect world, I believe most of us want to be safe, heard, and valued.

This morning, I’m breathing easier and have renewed hope for the future. It could be fleeting and temporary, but I thought it was worth sharing. It’s my way to “Do something.”

Until the next time: Live while you live.

Jennifer Goble, Ph.D., LPC, is the author of “My Clients…My Teachers,” and the blogger and writer of Rural Women Stories: www.ruralwomenstories.com.