So tomorrow is the big day. I think I have a good enough sense from all of you to tell that your voting preferences are going to be as different as the candidates themselves (and some of them more interesting.)

I have been so torn about this entire campaign. While on one hand I struggle incredibly to make a vote that is worthy of not just me, but other generations of people (eliciting thoughts of the "what is moral/what is ethical/what is realistic" variety) I'm equally stunned into humility with the grave and obvious notion that my opinion does not drive the universe. Perhaps a little blog traffic and a paycheck, but that's it.

And so, if I decide to vote only for myself, then perhaps I'd vote on spiritual principles only. But we live in a country where church is seperated from state. And so, is this somehow turning a back on my faith?

Ah, but if my faith were truly that strong, would I even be having this battle with myself? Is all the philosophizing in the world worth it if one never lands at a point of peace? But can one land at a point of peace and not alienate the rest of the land that thinks differently?

I have gone a million rounds with this notion. Many more spiritually convicted people than I will say, "Stick to the universal truths and the particulars will all fall into place." That's lovely, if only one could be 100% certain that the truth is, indeed, true. And we all know it's far from universal.

And so, with all of our truths being vastly different, what do we do? And how do we live in a world, let alone vote, where we don't just live with the "might makes right" philosophy (ex: Just because everyone does it doesn't make it okay). In other words, for all my bravado, I so desperately want to live not just in a place "as is" but instead "as it ought to be."

Which leads me back to my original conundrum. And yes, there is really one simple answer for many spiritually minded people in the form of three letters. But the world is made up of other people, too, and how can we be so certain that our way is the only right one? Only God knows. If you believe in God. (Ah, there I go again.)

Best of luck to you all! One day I will find an answer to my passionate probing. I hope when you see me all happy and content on that grand occasion, you will walk away with the words, "Wow, that was a kick ass funeral!"

Leave a Reply