Now that the postcard writing, phone banking, rallies, door belling, letters to the editor, and donations are over, all my attention was turned toward election results. As the blue tsunami rolled in, my heart was filled with gratitude for all who voted, spent months organizing in our communities, and those who voted despite concerns of intimidation.

Let us acknowledge and admire the people who voted even though they felt afraid, those who heard about threats of violence, who worried about being discriminated against and harassed at polling places. Let us remember other decades when voting was unsafe and people voted anyway. Let us never forget that for many people voting was a hard-won right in this country. Many people who risked their safety, housing, jobs, and even their lives.

Let us pause to honor the energy and courage of all of us who engaged in the work of free elections. Democracy asks of us to trust that our voices matter and our votes will be counted. It asks that even if we feel afraid, we vote anyway to have faith in the process.

Let us also recognize the work of election workers, those who staff the polls and election officers who later oversee the counting of ballots. For many of them, their task is not over as there will be recounts and likely answering accusations of fraud.

In my own spiritual practices this week, I have been sending love, kindness and peace to all involved in our voting system. Even to those who have political beliefs different from mine. Because I want the outcome to be a peaceful transition of power not a response that the elections were “rigged” unless proven otherwise and for those who are still fearful to experience relief. For a time when we can start to let go of all our anxiety about the election and aftermath and move to solving the problems in our economy and beyond. Let us also take time for rest and celebration that will serve us later as we work across the divides.