(Note: This post is not exactly about health and wellness. But it is from my heart, so I’m using this space to share it with you. Thank your for your grace and compassion.)

This election cycle has left me exhausted, afraid and sad. And, I’m not even talking about the candidates. I’m worried about us…We the People.

Fear has been whispering these lies in my ear, telling me that the divide between us is permanent. That the bonds that unite us are forever severed. That there is nothing I can do.

But, a few weeks ago, I heard another small whisper. It wasn’t fear, it was hope.

Truth be told, I have felt so disconnected from hope that when I heard it, I almost dismissed it as crazy. Thankfully, it insisted I call my amazing friend Heather, and share it with her.

She assured me it was truth. So, here we are.

(Note: Press play above to hear us share our heart and our mission!)

Heather and I would like to invite you to join us on a very simple, but powerful mission. A mission to choose hope and peace.

Every major religion and faith tradition teach about the power of collective prayer and meditation. And many scientific studies confirm not only the positive effects of these practices on the practitioners, but also on the communities they inhabit. (Yes, collective prayer and meditation have been shown to benefit people who don’t even participate in the practice!)

We are inviting you to help us harness that power on election night!

Here’s What You Can Do – Join the #PeaceArmy

Follow these simple steps to join us:

Step 1: Commit to pray for or meditate on peace and unity at 8:30 pm on Tuesday, November 8th. (Don’t worry about timezones. Do it at 8:30 wherever you are and know that others are joining you!) If you are on Facebook, you can go to the event page here and select “Going,” and share the event with your friends!

Step 2: Set an alarm on your phone, so you don’t forget.

Step 3: Invite others to join. Share this post. Or share the #PeaceArmy image on social media. Talk about it with your friends and family members. Add it to your prayer chain. Whatever. It’s all good! We need your help to build the #PeaceArmy!

We know there are all kinds of walls that can go up when you hear the words prayer and meditation. Then throw politics into the mix, and we can all come up with a long list of reasons why we shouldn’t participate.

We are asking you to consider participating anyway. Regardless of your beliefs, religion or faith tradition. Regardless of your experience (or lack thereof) with prayer and meditation. Regardless of who you are voting for.

In whatever way sits well with your soul, join us. We need YOU!

Here are some simple prayer and meditation ideas and inspiration that you can use at 8:30pm on November 8th. But, make it your own. Do whatever feels right for you. (And if you would like to share your own, please add it to the comments below.)

Peace.

Shalom.

Unity.

Give us peace.

Be with us.

We are all together.

Common ground.

Connection.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

With love and gratitude,

Jen and Heather

(And in case you’re wondering…Who is Jen? Who is Heather?)