As I traveled around the world as an American in the months leading up to our recent presidential election, I heard the same question from so many people in different countries. “So… Trump. What are you Americans thinking??”

I cringed every time I was even remotely associated with Donald Trump as an American. The qualities of compassion, empathy, and kindness that are so important to me are completely lacking from that man (as far as I can tell). I cannot respect his choices as an individual, and I certainly don’t want him making leadership choices on behalf of me and my country. And yet... he is now our next legally elected leader.

Like so many others, I’m having a hard time with this new reality. Roughly half of my fellow Americans cast their vote in favor of a man who I find obviously and undeniably despicable, but they chose to bestow power and prestige upon him. That is hard to accept. Feelings of anger and betrayal towards friends and family of differing opinions are impossible to escape, and everyone around me is struggling to deal with the overwhelming emotions surrounding this election.

The stereotype of the ignorant, self-centered American is alive and well. I’ve been traveling internationally for the last twelve years, and never fail to encounter people who tell me they’re pleasantly surprised to find that an American could be anything other than rude and obnoxious. Our citizens have a reputation, and I’m sorry to say that we’ve earned it.

So what can I do as a member of a group that holds values counter to my own? The petulant child in me wants to take my ball and go home. You guys are mean and I don’t want to play with you anymore. (You can find me in Canada when you want to apologize.)

Thankfully, I’m not a petulant child, and life is too complicated to simply walk away from it anyway. But the emotions remain, and the need is strong to somehow distance myself from what I perceive as a growing culture of ignorance and hatred.

So here’s my strategy: from now on, I am a Citizen of Planet Earth (COPE). Yes, I’m still an American as much as I’m a woman, a sister, a friend, and more... but I’m building a new mindset.

My home is this entire planet, and that is where my loyalties live. I can only systemically vote in the one small geography of my residence, but I can vote with my words and actions every day – demonstrating the values of a Citizen of Planet Earth:

The Earth is our only home and the preservation of its health and well-being is our top priority
Every part of the Earth (human, animal, plant, land, sea, sky) deserves respect
Cooperation (working together) is encouraged, while competition (working against) is discouraged
There is power in words and actions, which means responsibility. Power must be used wisely.

So that’s how I’m COPE-ing. I’m solidifying my own core values, and I’m sticking to them. Now more than ever, it’s important to know our selves, and to be true to ourselves. This world is going to be a little topsy turvy for a while, and it’s going to need some pillars to hold us steady.

By holding strong to our own values, we can be the pillars. I’m a citizen of this beautiful planet, just like you. My priority is the well-being of the world and every being in it. This is bigger than one country or one man. I have embraced the world and will continue to do so, and I won’t stop until love overcomes hate, and peace overcomes violence.

*Photo of Salvador de Bahia, Brazil (April 2016)

Home Week Ten: COPE-ing

A Beginning

Power

Sanctuary

Comparative Luxury

Debutante

EPIC

Fear, Money, and Veggies

Holding Pattern

Transformation

Stefanie D. Warren