How Will You Use This Moment?

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you already know that the last week has been a doozy in the land of the free and the brave. 

If you are living under a rock, please do tell. Better yet, please send your rock’s address so I can join you.

I’m not sure that anyone was terribly surprised today when President Biden opted out of the 2024 election. Still, it was the kind of surprise where you know it’s coming but then, when it does arrive, you aren’t sure how you should feel about it.

I had this same feeling when the hunt for that missing Titanic tourist submarine was finally confirmed as imploded. We’d all waited and watched while knowing there was no other possible ending. The finality came with a thud and a need to conjure up the appropriate reaction. 

I wasn’t sure what the appropriate reaction was today, either, when the expected news broke that Biden was out. We’d hardly moved past the Butler event, after all. Was today’s news just a little bit easier to stomach because, hey, at least nobody went for an assassination attempt?

Last weekend’s doozy led to days of dooziness as many of us were, once again, faced with a decision about whom we wanted to associate ourselves with, both politically and personally. This became a theme in Trump’s initial run and win of the Presidency as many of us found it difficult to focus on his platforms, instead driven away by his tone and behavior. I wasn’t a fan of Trump before he jumped into politics; I did not become a fan while he was President and I have continued on a downward dislike trend since that fateful sixth day of January. 

Still, I was not one of the many filled with sick glee when that first shot sounded last weekend. I was also not one of the many who took to their keyboards disappointed that the shot hadn’t been more accurate. 

Why? 

Because whether or not I like anything at all about him, Trump is still a living human being. There is a long list of people who love him dearly. I’m not talking about supporters–I’m talking about his friends and family members. He has children. He has grandchildren. For them alone, I am thrilled that his wound was superficial. And let’s never forget that in that same failed attempt that many feel they must mock, there were fatalities. 

Today, hours after Biden pulled his hat out of the ring, I have yet to open any of the socials. Why? I’m just not ready for another round of “Isn’t that hilarious?” as I still have recovered from last week’s.

Isn’t that hilarious? No, it’s not.

I was not one of the many filled with sick glee when Biden finally retreated from the race. 

Biden, too, is a human being with real feelings and a long list of people who love him dearly. Today, he was tasked with finalizing a decision that went against the very thing he has dedicated his life doing: serving his country. Serving our country. I cannot imagine how upsetting this decision was for a man who has given more time to our country than anything else in his life.

Whether or not you or I believe that time was far too long is irrelevant, really, because what sacrifices have we made for our country? 

My answer is probably the same as yours, “Nothing really.” Recognize that in comparison with what Biden has given. Recognize that in comparison with what Trump has given.

What will we do now?

Realistically? Probably nothing. The majority of us will sit back and simply…wait. 

Many of us feel like today’s events will have sealed the deal for the election and we will carry on, happy or not, with our lives. Some will start looking toward 2028 as the next benchmark for change. Some will start looking toward January 20th. The likelihood that any of us will take this moment as a catalyst to jump into life as a politician at any level is slim. 

That’s okay, of course.

In the coming days, just as with last Sunday, the word “unify” is going to be tossed around quite frequently. We have learned over the past decade that Trump is incapable of unifying anyone. That’s just not who he is. I’m not sure it matters who tags in for Biden as it is unlikely that they will be able to spark a sudden rah-rah movement. 

We have reached an incredibly sad moment in the history of our country. That is the one thing that We the People do have in common. We are all sharing this incredibly sad moment. 

How will we use this moment? 

How will you use this moment?

Have we seen enough in the last week to finally put aside all the bantering and bickering and bitching? Is it a big enough message for change when we have an assassination attempt one weekend and receive a Presidential resignation letter the next? I’m not sure we have any other choice but to dust ourselves off and become a part of the solution. 

No, I have no idea what that looks like yet. I suppose it could be as simple as ending the verbal or digital missiles that many of us launch far too liberally. Could we start there? By simply being nicer to each other, regardless of opposing opinions? 

How will you use this moment?