Moving Forward, Today and Tomorrow

Is today a sad day for you? I actually feel sad that I’m sad. Does that make sense?

Ordinarily I would be all over the inauguration coverage. I love the pomp and circumstance of it all. I cry at all the inspiring poems read and the children’s choirs. I listen intently at the speeches wondering if some of the well delivered speeches might be those we quote on chalkboards one day. Even through the television screen and the radio static I can feel the spirit of history.

I would like to feel that way today. I would like to think I can look passed the frustration and the anxiety and feel confident that our country can carry on. Because of course it will. But I know that if I give it attention, I will be too distracted by negativity. It’s too fresh and raw and ugly. My heart is not ready yet. But I am sad to be missing out on an event that often brings me so much pride in our great country.

The great Dr. King gifted us with so many wise words in his time that I have been drawing from this week, sentiments that should be shared more than just in the third week of January but for all of our days. This weekend particularly I am drawing from this quote:

“If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.”

— Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Today, I am moving forward by remembering that we still live in the same country that elected Barack Obama not once but twice. And his demonstration of mindfulness and grace and kindness will continue to find its way into our culture. I believe this to be true.

These photos of his final year are what I’m paying attention to today.

And also this article about how reading helped him “slow down and get perspective” during his presidency. I believe we all need to take this lesson over the next four years.

And to start I’m going to use his list of recommended reads, the new ”O” book club.

Then tomorrow, I will move forward by walking with her and her and her and her, sisters and mothers and daughters and teachers and leaders and listeners and warriors, all gathering together in solidarity for equality for all at the Austin Women’s March. Most importantly I will be walking with her and him, my own future leaders. And him, my strong and supportive spouse who models justice every day for me and our children.

And finally on Sunday, I will repeat this mantra in the literal sense to get my feet across the finish line of my fifth long distance race. For 13.1 miles I will fly, run, walk, or crawl, whatever it takes. But regardless, I will remind myself to just keep moving forward. And then I might spend the rest of the day staying still on the couch.

So how about you? How are you moving forward today and tomorrow?

If you can’t march tomorrow, know I am moving forward for you and your children.