Hot Chile Tuesday

We just stopped for lunch at El Parasol (green chile chicken tamale, chile relleno burrito and a calabacita burrito – in case you wondered). This day, finally, it has felt like there is tremendous energy afoot, positive energy busily at work transforming the USA as we know it, making change, making magic.

This is a day of national celebration. Election Day has never felt so infused with real power, power that changes the course of history, power that stretches into the future. The huge voter turnout, the crackling excitement in the air, hope that we can taste. Tonight, we will celebrate the election of Barack Obama and a host of Democratic congresspeople, senators, local officials.

And yes, there is so much to do after the election, keeping these newly elected or reelected people focused on justice, peace, universal health care, women’s rights, tending to the Earth. But this one day – today – is a time to celebrate what we have done.

We are in the swing state of New Mexico and this morning we canvassed apartment complexes not far from the city center. We knocked on doors, hung reminders to vote, asked everyone we saw, “Did you vote yet?” Santa Fe is a decidedly blue city in a noticeably purple state, so most people we saw were Obama mamas or papas. The Obama headquarters here were JAMMED with volunteers, more than they knew what to do with. Phone banks were buzzing, canvass teams were being dispatched and groups of people (lots of kids) were painting signs then taking them out to busy intersections. The girl in the photo (Antarctica for Obama) kept happily shouting her slogan: “Obamanos Pinguinos!”

Here is an intention that our friend Starhawk has woven that expresses something of the magic of today:

Today we become the nation we dream of being, a place where everyone can rise to the level of their true worth, with no false barriers. Today truth triumphs over lies, hope over fear. Today we become the people who can do the great things that are needed to restore health and balance and abundance for all. Today we take the dream and make it real.

Here we are happy to be in the same place again!