Election Anxiety: What To Do If The "Other Side" Wins

Are you stressing out over the election that is just around the corner? I mean, it's bad enough that we have this economic tsunami crashing around us every day, and now we are about to endure what could be a seismic election impact.

What if McCain-Palin somehow pull the rabbit out of the hat? What happens if Obama-Biden win in a landslide?

So what if we do get the "other" folks in office? How will you be affected? What can you do about it? This question applies no matter who you think the wrong choice might be, McCain-Palin or Obama-Biden.

Part of the fear, anxiety and consternation that seem to dog us every day now around the issues of the economy, this goofy war in Iraq, and the prospects of a sharply divided society all come back to a favorite theme of mine: the difference between independence and freedom.

Most people I have worked with over the years like to think of themselves as independent. I don't mean independent as a political term, but more of independence as a state of being or self sufficiency. Do you like to think of yourself as independent? I know I did until I got the difference between independence and freedom.

My theory is people proclaim independence, thinking they are claiming freedom, and, in the process, actually forfeit their true freedom in favor of apparent independence. Think about how often independence is proclaimed by someone who is clearly angry and you will get a glimmer of the freedom-independence difference I am writing about.

So, if you consider yourself to be independent, try this little test: do you make your own clothes? Do you raise your cotton? Anyone make your own sewing needles? You get the drift - just about all of us are dependent on others for a wide variety of life's necessities ranging from jobs to clothes.

About the only time any of us get worked up about our problems with being dependent on one another is when our set of expectations get threatened by someone else. Enter the election and the current economic meltdown.

The top couple of percent are worried about losing some of their excess, while those in the middle and lower brackets are worried about losing somewhere between a little and everything if the other ticket gets elected. Some have already lost a lot.

The real tragedy has nothing to do with lost bank accounts, homes, jobs, and the like. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that losing these kinds of things is a non-event. I lived in my car while in college after my dad died so I have some sense of what it is like to be at or near the bottom of the economic ladder.

The lesson here is more about freedom than it is about independence. Would you be willing to substitute the word freedom, or being free, for independence? Do you like to think of yourself as free, of having freedom? One definition for freedom might have something to do with the freedom to choose who you wish to be, truly independent of what others might want you to be.

Are you sacrificing your freedom to choose who you are because of something that happens around you or something that happens to you? Would you be any less free depending on which political party prevails?

So what do I mean by 'Freedom?" I am referring to true Freedom. The only Freedom that you have 100% control over. The only Freedom that no one can take away from you. Perhaps the best way to understand the concept, and more importantly, the power of the difference, is to consider the life of Victor Frankl.

Victor Frankl was an Austrian neurologist and psychiatrist working in pre-World War II Vienna, helping troubled people who were considered suicidal. His work was incredibly successful and caught the attention of some prominent thinkers in Germany.

As the war grew, he wound up being deported to Theresienstadt, a concentration camp, along with his wife, and parents. They were quickly separated and sent to different camps. Frankl himself was transferred to several, including Auschwitz and Turkheim (near Dachau). All of his family members, except his sister who escaped, died in one of the concentration camps.

On his arrival at Theresienstadt, he was selected to live, rather than be immediately executed. Once that decision was made, he was sent to the "showers" where he was stripped, completely shaved and clothed in prison garb that intentionally was the wrong size (large people were given clothes way too small, while small people were given clothes way too big). He quickly reasoned that the process was intended to strip the individual of any sense of being, importance or relevance.

Next up, the Nazi's gathered up his huge collection of research, records and writings, and burned his life's work in front of him. From there, he endured all manner of cruelty and inhumanity, including various forms of physical suffering and torture.

Along the way, as he struggled to maintain his sense of self and his dignity, he came to formulate some compelling thoughts and bits of awareness, which together allowed him to live, and to exude a dignity that the Nazi's could not extinguish.

For Frankl, the critical realization came as yet another indignity was forced upon him. That realization was about freedom. The simple yet powerful realization, goes like this:
"Freedom is that place in time just after they do something to me, and just before I choose my response."

The following are some quotes from Victor Frankl's seminal work, Man's Search for Meaning, which was published in 1946, after his long ordeal in the various concentration camps:

"When we are no longer able to change a situation - we are challenged to change ourselves."

"Everything can be taken from a man or a woman but one thing: the last of human freedoms, to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way."

As we move through the coming days and months of unsteady economic challenges and the prospects of a difficult election, I encourage you to remember that as bad as you think one party or the other might might be, no one will be off to concentration camps even if they do get elected.

Follow Frankl's advice: think about where you are headed in your life, what experiences you are having, and what choices you can make about them. How could you choose freedom even in the worst of circumstances? How could you change yourself?

Allow me to leave you with a famous quote from Alexander Solzenitzen: "If you were to put the world to rights, with whom would you begin? Yourself or others?"

Related:

Larry David: Waiting For Nov. 4th
Presidential Depression: Dealing With Post-Election Blues
Election Anxiety: The One Thing Republicans and Democrats Can Agree On

For more posts on Election Anxiety, click here.

Are you suffering from Election Anxiety? How has the election impacted your life? Tell HuffPost, and we may just quote you! Tell us your stories using this Survey Monkey form.

***

You can find out more about Russell Bishop at http://www.lessonsinthekeyoflife.com. Contact Russell at: [e-mail]

The author of Lessons in the Key of Life, Russell is an Educational Psychologist, professional life coach and management consultant, based in Santa Barbara California.

Comments

[Eli Davidson - Huffpost Blogger]

Thank you for reminding me and us of the dignity of our higher nature that outer circumstances cannot dim or tarnish.

[Thevail]

I will stay here, and work for a better America. My husband will stay too. But we have arranged for relatives in another country to take our 16 year old.

She has seen nothing but an America at war as she grew up. I thought my generation were paranoid about the government. She has no doubts that the American government represents nothing but lies and oppression. I hope Obama wins so that she will at least think an upset to the "golden rule" is possible.

[NABNYC]

McCain will not win legitimately. But his crowing this week that things are closer than anyone knows, that he's definitely going to win, makes lots of people think the Republicans are all lined up to steal this election just like they did the 2000 and 2004 presidential election.

If the vote count goes in favor of McCain on Tuesday, you can be sure it is the result of fraud by the Republicans. And on Wednesday we all need to demand a new election, and take physical control of the voting machines, polling places, workers, to make sure nobody gets to rig the results this time. We need to "demand" a new election meaning we need to be serious about stopping the functioning of the country until we have the new election. For example, on November 6 everybody calls up and cancels their cable or dish TV. On November 7, everybody stops eating meat or fish or poultry -- for the duration. On November 8, everyone commits they will not buy new shoes. Economic pressure. Shut everything down until we get fair elections.

If the Democrats get control, we need to immediately pressure them to start serving the people and stop taking money. That should be the top priority: get money out of politics. The Republicans will be our odd but motivated partners in that goal.

[peacegurl48]

I needed this article very badly. I am trying to remina positive and hopeful but I am also very anxious about the voting tricks and the extreme hate and race-baiting coming form McCain/Palin.
This election is different than 2000 or 2004 and I think that many of us will be profoundly depressed if McCain wins.
I do intend to work for voter reform, especially ending the electoral system. I will also continue to work for peace and social justice in honor of Obama and everyone who believes in the promise of America.

4 years of McCain and the hateful Palin will be unbearable so I'm going to get back to calling people,chanting and praying that OBAMA wins!

[ObamaProud]

Don't forget about the other side! If the republicans lose their power, there will likely be a huge trickle down effect. Remember that most of the people at the top of the food chain are there because of their political affiliation. As long as they're in power, they're happy and the country functions on its high levels. They will protest if Obama wins and it will have a massive effect on everyone. They will not just quietly walk away from power.

Use this knowledge to prepare yourself.

[hu.man]

Great post! While you are at, can you address the phobia people seem to have of this election being "stolen". Last I checked we live in a democracy where rule of law prevails. If we don't believe on this basic premise then we might as well pack our bags and go somewhere else...and I don't know where that would be because I firmly believe on justice prevailing specially on matters as large as presidential elections.

[dc2nm]

Last I checked voter suppression has been going on for years. Yes...it can be stolen. Why do you think Obama has so many lawyers on the ground on election day?

[hu.man]

So if both sides are carefully monitoring each other for fraud and unlawful activity then how can it be stolen? I suppose if one side defaults on this responsibility then it can be stolen but then whose fault is it anyway? Why deface our democracy by emitting self-serving pablum when the very foundation of choice is its fairness and validity within the framework of the law?

[sonoffestus]

I moved to Canada 3 years ago................I wanted to make sure I avoided the potential rush north. Figure 19 months to 2 years to get your permanent residency status and then another year before you can get your citizenship. I'm due sept 09. Things have been slowing down here, but if you want to work you'll find a job here in BC or Alberta anyway. I have no plans on returning to the States unless to help bury a relative...................Living the American Dream in Canada.

[Catriona]

I 'd had enough so I moved to Europe. The kids still speak English but with cute 'foreign' accents. Another year before, like you, we too will become citizens. I have never once regretted leaving.

[aHamilton]

Funny I have friends that fled Canadian style socialism years ago to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams, and they are succeeding, for now.

Does everyone on this site think the x-files was real? What is with all this conspiracy theory?

[GrainOSand]

It is said that there are no constants but change. With the assumption that this is true the question begs asking -- what of the nature of change?

If this is our darkness¦our night, what shall daylight bring and shall we deem it good, beneficial, helpful, nourishing, rewarding, fulfilling¦sustaining? Conversely, will daylight come and find us unable to distinguish night from day due to existential pollution that manifested from so many years existing in darkness such that the rising sun of our new day is blotted out by the resulting clouds, smog, and haze of our long night of despair? One might ask is there a method to insure a glorious bright new day? One might ask can years spent in darkness so poison, so cloud an environment as to make any change far worse, far darker than that changed from¦that which has transpired?

Look to the dawn of change to find answers concerning the promise of the quality of the emerging change. Look to the moment to determine if ingredients consistent with the probability of better days exist or if the present moment lacks the necessary ingredients to bring about any promised change for the better.

If now represents emerging dawn, what has the night of our collective existence done to our environment of existence such that we can distinguish between this "Bush darkness" and any promised Obama or McCain daylight? Have we heretofore lived such that light is possible, or has our existence assured further darkness?

[cucumber]

"As we move through the coming days and months of unsteady economic challenges and the prospects of a difficult election, I encourage you to remember that as bad as you think one party or the other might might be, no one will be off to concentration camps even if they do get elected."

This is not fully the case, if you consider prison as a sort of camp (though not as bad as a cc).

I know people who are sitting in prison right now. They are activists in the less popular "animal rights" movement, and were easily targetted because they stood up against the research industry. By the letter of the law they should not be in prison, but government hand-in-hand with industry found them a threat.

Activists are going to prison and will go in greater numbers if the republicans win and continue to erode civil liberties. The animal rights and less popular activists are just the test cases.

[indepavoter9]

First of all as an American Citizen....I demand that this voter system be fixed. FIXED. We go thru this every election and its pathetic. We have billions to give to corporations, banks and to our defense budgets, but we cant even get this right. Pitiful. NEXT, I want these racist scare mailers and robocalls addressed and election guidelines modified. Racism and hate talk (which promotes crime) IS a crime and I don't know who gave the GOP the pass for destruction for this election, but I want it addressed by the next president BLACK OR WHITE. END of story.

[lwilkerson50]

I agree. This almost as to be one of the main topics. And there as to be accountability from both sides. I think that they were using acorn has a deversion for the RNC to do their dirty work. No sate should be having any kind of problems in this day and time.

[SharonAustinTX]

Exactly. I have to slap myself (figuratively) to see if this is really happening. It's incredulous that in the 21st century we are less than a civilized and law-abiding nation. Democracy requires humans act with respect for the rights of others without resorting to violence.

[thisisbatcountry]

to me, this election is totally more than dem vs. repub, i really feel that my...for lack of a better word, character is being called into question and if mccain wins i don't think i could stay in this country. i kinda see it as the girl who stays with the boyfriend who treats her like crap (but you don't understand, i LOVE him!). maybe i would be more loyal to america if i was older and had been a part of more presidential elections, but this country has been going down the pi$$er since before i was in double digits.
i firmly believe that if obama doesn't win it is because of stupidity and fraud, and i can't stand behind a gov't that is based on that. therefore, i have set myself up with a telecommuting job that i will do from an island in the caribbean if my side doesn't win. if my side does win, i will use the freedom of having a flexible schedule to do volunteer work. if the change that we talk about so loudly is really going to come to pass, than the election is just the first step. the next step happens at an individual level. if we have time to post thousands upon thousands of messages here, than we have time to take calls for the rape crisis center or help people study for their citizenship exams. thanks for the good message mr. bishop.

[bitabingbitabangbitaboom]

Wow Great Post Young Lady.....................all I can say is

VIVA BARAK OBAMA

[pvernier]

Bravo !
A young citizen that sets an example for us all.
My wife and I have had the same discussion on moving. But I am a little stubborn. I like this country and sometimes the politics. So, I may have to stay and fight.

I hope and I believe it will not be necessary. I hope you are with us for the long haul. You have the right attitude.

Landslide Obama
and if not, We Will find out why

Take two friends to vote. Because it is the right thing to do.

[thisisbatcountry]

thanks for the comments!

[brooklyncitizen]

I think it would be catastrophic if Palin MCaCain win....

[wadda]

I hope it is as eventful as Y2K.

[lewes17266]

I had almost forgotten about Y2K. Pat Robertson, a famous millionaire strongman and self-proclaimed holy prophet of God, organizer for the Republican party, told us to stock up on bottled water and candles in preparation for the Y2K disaster! He also told us that God would send tornadoes, hurricanes or possibly a meteor to Florida after Disney invited gays. He also told us his vengeful God lifted His veil of protection and allowed Katrina and the terrorists because we vote for Devil Democrats.

[brooklyncitizen]

Well I'm glad you can be light-hearted about it...Y2K was a predicted technological glitch .....we are talking about ideologues that have truly harmed this country for 8 years getting a chance to do more harm....I'm particularly concerned about the whole dance with Iran.... and the lack of brain power with both Palin and McCain.

[forebode]

Especially since they won't win without big time cheating by the Republicans behind the scenes...and Diebold.

[wpiv926]

I'm actually here in Canada this week, on vacation. Tommorrow, I plan to go out and test the job market. Let me tell you, I've only been here 2 days, but I starting to like it. Very clean, government seems to take care of problems and take care of its' people. Here in Alberta, it's REALLY booming. I've never seen anything like it. And by listening to the CBC, the people here are pulling for Obama, just like the rest of us. People I've talked to confirm this.

[deckbose]

For a lot of young, and especially new, voters, eight years is a lifetime. So it's hard, if not downright inconceivable, for them to remember a time when presidential elections meant a night of wondrous improbability, or in some cases, unimaginable disaster.

But as the votes were counted, and the projections were proclaimed, it was always a matter of the country's will being done.

That's no longer the case. Now we all know that a fix is possible, that the machines are subject to tampering and the party facing defeat is perfectly willing to play that card. So it's no longer possible to have a night like my father did in 1968 when Nixon beat Humphrey and Pop stayed up the whole time with a notepad in his lap, scribbling his calculations furiously into the pad until it became clear that Hubert couldn't pull it off. I was eight at the time, and I couldn't then understand why it was making my father so angry, why he kept rubbing his hands over his face and sighing heavily.

Even though the candidate of my father lost, I never forgot the emotion of the night, and now I long for a similar impartiality that I fear is a dead and buried relic.

[obama4mankind]

i will be extremely dissapointed if obama doesn't win not only because i believe he is the far better candidate but because fear and hate will have won over hope and optimism. Life goes on though and in 4 years we will have another chance.

Obama/Biden 08-16

[JRsNana]

You MAY have another chance in 4 years.
4 more years of what would basically be an extended Bush presidency with the expanded powers of the executive branch as designed by Bush/Cheney and we could, in fact, be looking at the end of our democracy. And President Sarah Palin.

[GirlWhoCriedEpiphany]

This article has affected the way I look at this campaign to a greater degree than I might have imagined. It really has me thinking about the role of the individual as superseding what any distant political figure can do. That said, may Obama be that distant political figure eight days from now!

http://epiphanygirl.wordpress.com/2008/10/27/belief-in-the-nation-belief-in-the-individual/