> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.lifeisasacredtext.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # no matter what happens this week - URL: https://www.lifeisasacredtext.com/beforemidterms/ - Published: 2026-11-02T14:30:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-11-02T14:30:00.000Z - Description: a few reminders - Author: Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg This is ****Life as a Sacred Text,** šŸŒ± an everybody-celebrating, justice-centered voyage into ancient stories that can illuminate our own lives. Itā€˜s always **human-authored*, and it's run on a nonprofit, so itā€™s 100% NAZI FREE. More about the project [****here**](https://www.lifeisasacredtext.com/about/), and to subscribe, go here****:** [Learn more! ](#/portal/account/plans) **This newsletter is a reader-supported publication.* **Paid subscriptions allow our tiny team to keep doing this work.* **If you want in to the House of Study but paying isn't on for you right now, reach out and we'll hook you up, no questions asked.* **Always*. [level up now ](#/portal/account/plans) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/00/99/0099f63a-257a-401e-b764-2ea218bf9990/content/images/2025/06/darker-green-bush-closer-1.png) ## Sign up for Life is a Sacred Text Life is a Sacred Text is about truth & transformation, with ancient stories serving as mirrors & lights. Collective liberation. Always ****human-authored**, run on a ****Nazi-free** platform. ā¤ļø Subscribe Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. I imagine a lot of us are in high emotional gear now about this electionā€“ both in terms of its outcome and how Election Day itself might play out in various places. For good reason. So much is at stake. Friends in the US: **EARLYVOTE IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY!** It's unclear what's going to happen tomorrow. Get it done now. *(Also: I'll be serving as a poll chaplain in WI, will be posting updates to my* [*IG*](https://www.instagram.com/rabbidanyaruttenberg/?ref=lifeisasacredtext.com) *and* [*Bsky*](https://bsky.app/profile/theradr.bsky.social?ref=lifeisasacredtext.com) *from there.)* And: *No matter what happens*, a few essential truths remain and behoove us to hold on to today, tomorrow, and the day after that. **Before anything else, though, a couple of website updates:** 1) Over the years, people have mentioned that they wish some of LiST's non-biblical posts were organized in a way that could be easier to find again. In addition to the search bar, **we now have a this page** under the "Resources" tab on the site, so you can find some of your favorites, find things you missed the first time around, and **share the goods** with others who might love it: [Choose Your Own AdventureAn easier way to find (and share) some of Life is a Sacred Text's classic posts![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/00/99/0099f63a-257a-401e-b764-2ea218bf9990/content/images/icon/life_is_a_sacred_text_icon_only--1--8c813d23-3bbd-41ed-98da-4c467f05c687.png)Life is a Sacred TextRabbi Danya Ruttenberg![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/00/99/0099f63a-257a-401e-b764-2ea218bf9990/content/images/thumbnail/Untitled-design--3---1-_compressed--1---1--1-1-2d37b993-3ba4-4190-9ec9-11dcda061753.png)](https://www.lifeisasacredtext.com/adventure/) 2) At long last, you can toggle between light and dark mode! On the top of the site, next to the search bar, is a little sun/moon icon that allows you to choose your preferred reading background: ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/00/99/0099f63a-257a-401e-b764-2ea218bf9990/content/images/2026/10/Screenshot-2026-10-31-at-5.36.32---PM.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/00/99/0099f63a-257a-401e-b764-2ea218bf9990/content/images/2026/10/Screenshot-2026-10-31-at-5.36.04---PM.png) Image of a dark green background with a moon and "switch to light mode" and a cream/tan background and a sun icon that says "switch to dark mode." ### Now. No matter what happens with the midterms, remember: ### 1) Nervous system regulation is job one. Please pay attention to how you're feeling in your body. It matters. Of course you may be feeling more anxious than usual, of course adrenaline or cortisol might be flowing. And real life might be life-ing in a way that makes it difficult for you to stop and, like, do a whole yoga class in e midde of the cubicles at the office ā€“but what can you do when you need help reground a bit? - Can you **make tea** and just take some deep breaths holding on to the cup and feeling its warmth on your hands, the flavor and heat in your mouth? - Can you **go outside**, walk around or sit next to a tree for ten minutes? Longer? - Can you put on one or two songs that make you **dance** and rock out entirely, fully, for a few minutes? - Can you do **deep stretches** in the places your body is tightest for the length of between one and three songs? - Can you **sing** your lungs out in your car or at services or in the shower or somewhere else for a few songs? - Can you have **time with community**, even just complaining and laughing and talking about nothing in particular? - Can you take ten minutes to **dump your feelings** into a journal or a sketchbook? - Can you give yourself the gift of a meditation, prayer or [silent scream](https://www.lifeisasacredtext.com/spiritual-practices-for-sucky-times/) **break**? - Can you get some oxytocin from deep breathing co-regulating **snuggles** with a critter or human, whether tiny or big? - Or something else? (Give us some other ideas in the comments!) (Down at the bottom, click the šŸ’¬ icon). Whatever the thing(s) are that work for you, please do them a lot, OK? Share this post [![Bluesky](https://icons.spectralwebservices.com/bluesky_white.png)](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=no%20matter%20what%20happens%20this%20week%20-%20a%20few%20reminders%20%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lifeisasacredtext.com%2Fbeforemidterms%2F&ref=lifeisasacredtext.com "Share on Bluesky") [![Threads](https://icons.spectralwebservices.com/threads_white.png)](https://www.threads.com/intent/post?text=no%20matter%20what%20happens%20this%20week%3A%20a%20few%20reminders%20%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lifeisasacredtext.com%2Fbeforemidterms%2F&ref=lifeisasacredtext.com "Share on Threads") [![Facebook](https://icons.spectralwebservices.com/facebook_white.png)](https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lifeisasacredtext.com%2Fbeforemidterms%2F "Share on Facebook") [![Mastodon](https://icons.spectralwebservices.com/mastodon_white.png)](https://tootpick.org/?ref=lifeisasacredtext.com#text=no%20matter%20what%20happens%20this%20week%20-%20a%20few%20reminders%20%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lifeisasacredtext.com%2Fbeforemidterms%2F "Share on Mastodon") [![Reddit](https://icons.spectralwebservices.com/reddit_white.png)](https://reddit.com/submit?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lifeisasacredtext.com%2Fbeforemidterms%2F&title=no%20matter%20what%20happens%20this%20week&ref=lifeisasacredtext.com "Share on Reddit") [![LinkedIn](https://icons.spectralwebservices.com/linkedin_white.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lifeisasacredtext.com%2Fbeforemidterms%2F&ref=lifeisasacredtext.com "Share on LinkedIn") [![X](https://icons.spectralwebservices.com/x_white.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=no%20matter%20what%20happens%20this%20week%20-%20a%20few%20reminders%20%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lifeisasacredtext.com%2Fbeforemidterms%2F&ref=lifeisasacredtext.com "Share on X") [![Email](https://icons.spectralwebservices.com/email_white.png)](mailto:?subject=no%20matter%20what%20happens%20this%20week&body=a%20few%20reminders%20%0A%0Ahttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.lifeisasacredtext.com%2Fbeforemidterms%2F "Share on Email") ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/00/99/0099f63a-257a-401e-b764-2ea218bf9990/content/images/2026/10/GillianDreher_PowerToThePolls_hi-res-credits-scaled-1.jpg) "Vote Love" by [Gillian Dreher](https://www.gill-d.com/?ref=lifeisasacredtext.com) (**A lot of computer-drawn florals in orange, yellow, purple, peach, green with VOTE LOVE in white)* ### 2) The work continues, regardless. **No matter how this election goes, we must keep fighting**. God willing the electoral outcome will make the path easier, but there are no versions of the story that will allow us to stop pushing for everyoneā€™s rights, safety & justice in the days after tomorrow. The only way to win is through a groundswell, a grassroots movement that is a diverse cross-section of our country pushing forward with a commitment to all of our collective liberation. **We're entering a new global era of pushing against hateful, corrupt rulers and systemsā€“** - A two-year student-led movement for government accountability turned into those same students [unseating the Serbian president](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/11/1/from-railway-tragedy-to-govt-change-serbias-two-year-fight-for-justice?ref=lifeisasacredtext.com) in the election just over a week ago. - The surprise election the next day of a Brazilian president from the Worker's Party ā€“ unseating the fascist Bolsonaro ā€“ was also due to a [groundswell](https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2026/10/27/in-brazil-the-spontaneous-mobilization-of-gen-z-surprised-even-the-leaders-of-lula-s-workers-party%5F6765046%5F4.html?ref=lifeisasacredtext.com) of Gen Z activism that brought others along. - Mass protests are underway across Europe; France just hit its third consecutive weekend of [mass protests](https://apnews.com/article/protests-europe-youth-france-germany-spain-362a7cb69871ab21bd894290dad639f5?ref=lifeisasacredtext.com) over the cost of living and education, and similar actions have been spreading across Europe, to Germany, Portugal, Austria, Belgium, Spain, the Czech Republic, Greece, Ireland, Poland, Albania, Switzerland and more. Italy just held a [national strike](https://www.reuters.com/world/mass-protests-sweep-italy-during-nationwide-strike-2026-10-30/?ref=lifeisasacredtext.com), eg. - In India, a mass protest [movement](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/oct/21/india-cockroach-movement-leaders-released-protests-government-crackdown?ref=lifeisasacredtext.com) for education reform has joined with other movements [demanding](https://www.lifeisasacredtext.com/scary-shabbos/) electoral accountability and regime change. - In Bangladesh, sweatshop workers have [closed](https://www.reuters.com/business/world-at-work/bangladesh-form-wage-board-after-garment-protests-shut-factories-2026-11-01/?ref=lifeisasacredtext.com) over 500 factories as they demand fair pay, forcing the government to set up a wage review board. ### We can grow deep change here. But we must show up for it. - With [all of us on deck](https://www.lifeisasacredtext.com/deck/), showing up from our places of talent, capacity, passion, access, and more ā€“ - With each of us, as Mariame Kaba said during her LEARN, TO DO session, taking action *"at the scale of our own lives."* - And pacing ourselves not to burn out because what's at stakeā€“ whose lives are at stakeā€“ matters too much to just quit when things get hard. It's possible that I sound like a broken record, but true things are true. More below. Share this post [![Bluesky](https://icons.spectralwebservices.com/bluesky_white.png)](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=no%20matter%20what%20happens%20this%20week%20-%20a%20few%20reminders%20%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lifeisasacredtext.com%2Fbeforemidterms%2F&ref=lifeisasacredtext.com "Share on Bluesky") [![Threads](https://icons.spectralwebservices.com/threads_white.png)](https://www.threads.com/intent/post?text=no%20matter%20what%20happens%20this%20week%3A%20a%20few%20reminders%20%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lifeisasacredtext.com%2Fbeforemidterms%2F&ref=lifeisasacredtext.com "Share on Threads") [![Facebook](https://icons.spectralwebservices.com/facebook_white.png)](https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lifeisasacredtext.com%2Fbeforemidterms%2F "Share on Facebook") [![Mastodon](https://icons.spectralwebservices.com/mastodon_white.png)](https://tootpick.org/?ref=lifeisasacredtext.com#text=no%20matter%20what%20happens%20this%20week%20-%20a%20few%20reminders%20%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lifeisasacredtext.com%2Fbeforemidterms%2F "Share on Mastodon") [![Reddit](https://icons.spectralwebservices.com/reddit_white.png)](https://reddit.com/submit?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lifeisasacredtext.com%2Fbeforemidterms%2F&title=no%20matter%20what%20happens%20this%20week&ref=lifeisasacredtext.com "Share on Reddit") [![LinkedIn](https://icons.spectralwebservices.com/linkedin_white.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lifeisasacredtext.com%2Fbeforemidterms%2F&ref=lifeisasacredtext.com "Share on LinkedIn") [![X](https://icons.spectralwebservices.com/x_white.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=no%20matter%20what%20happens%20this%20week%20-%20a%20few%20reminders%20%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lifeisasacredtext.com%2Fbeforemidterms%2F&ref=lifeisasacredtext.com "Share on X") [![Email](https://icons.spectralwebservices.com/email_white.png)](mailto:?subject=no%20matter%20what%20happens%20this%20week&body=a%20few%20reminders%20%0A%0Ahttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.lifeisasacredtext.com%2Fbeforemidterms%2F "Share on Email") ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/00/99/0099f63a-257a-401e-b764-2ea218bf9990/content/images/2026/10/RommyTorrico_DemocracyIsAPractice-scaled-1-1.jpg) "Democracy is a Practice" [Rommy Torrico](https://www.rommytorrico.com/?ref=lifeisasacredtext.com) (**Drawing of what seems to be a small Brown (Latinae?) child on a woman's shoulders, and three people beneath them with a megaphone and shouting. Banners say, "Liberation: Democracy is a practice. Colors are black and white with blue background.)* ### 3) Spirituality and Liberation. All connected. Always. When we are integrated people, caring for ourselves and caring for the broader world are all one thing. Our capacities may ebb and flow (please do not overpromise and underdeliver when you work with others) but we are connected to all life and the work is all one work. And so I leave you with two blessings, or meditations, to hold as we move forward into whatever happens next: This, from the sadly-former project Enfleshed, not sure [which author](https://enfleshed.com/bhm2024/?ref=lifeisasacredtext.com) (perhaps Black theologian [Robert Monson](https://sojo.net/articles/interview/theologian-robert-monson-wants-softer-social-justice?ref=lifeisasacredtext.com)?): > may my solidarities be serious. may they reach beyond what is most familiar to me. may my own story be an entry-point, not an end-point. may the parts of myself with most proximity to power be examined and tended with commitment. may the healing work of undoing dominance within manifest as actionable divestment from and disruption of the systems that favor me. may i trust i will not be left alone in the consequences. may i not be fooled into misunderstanding this path as charity or sacrifice. may i ground in assurance that these are the truths that set free and this is the path of love and satisfaction. And this, by a [dear colleague](https://www.rabbikoach.com/?ref=lifeisasacredtext.com), from [this](https://enfleshed.com/wp-content/uploads/woocommerce%5Fuploads/2022/01/HELDebook-jqgikh.pdf?ref=lifeisasacredtext.com) blessing collection. > **Holy Breath of Liberation** > [**Rabbi Dr. Koach Baruch Frazier**](https://www.rabbikoach.com/?ref=lifeisasacredtext.com) > Berucha At Shekhinah, Eloteinu Ruach Haā€™olam > A blessing you are Shekhinah to this universe > Giving breath. And wind. And spirit to the G!d within us > > May this breath that flows through the lungs of the earth > infuse our bodies > allowing the rage, the grief and anxiety > the joy, the delight and excitement > to flow through us without impediment > letting us feel it, but not getting stuck > > May this wind of transformation > that is sweeping through the universe right now > blow through the trees, through the halls of government, > and the clouds of zoom > creating space for the reckoning that must come > > May the spirit of truth and justice that lives within us > find the courage to cry out---shaky voice and all > to join in the chorus of our siblings throughout the world > > Blessed are you Shekinah, who gives us the spaciousness > to inhale and exhale our way to liberation No matter what happens. # ā¤ļø šŸŒ± ā¤ļø ### Who'd dig this post? Spread the word! [ ![Bluesky](https://icons.spectralwebservices.com/bluesky_white.png) Share on Bluesky ](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=no%20matter%20what%20happens%20this%20week%20-%20a%20few%20reminders%20%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lifeisasacredtext.com%2Fbeforemidterms%2F&ref=lifeisasacredtext.com) [ ![Threads](https://icons.spectralwebservices.com/threads_white.png) Share on Threads ](https://www.threads.com/intent/post?text=no%20matter%20what%20happens%20this%20week%3A%20a%20few%20reminders%20%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lifeisasacredtext.com%2Fbeforemidterms%2F&ref=lifeisasacredtext.com) [ ![Facebook](https://icons.spectralwebservices.com/facebook_white.png) Share on Facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lifeisasacredtext.com%2Fbeforemidterms%2F) [ ![Mastodon](https://icons.spectralwebservices.com/mastodon_white.png) Share on Mastodon ](https://tootpick.org/?ref=lifeisasacredtext.com#text=no%20matter%20what%20happens%20this%20week%20-%20a%20few%20reminders%20%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lifeisasacredtext.com%2Fbeforemidterms%2F) [ ![Reddit](https://icons.spectralwebservices.com/reddit_white.png) Share on Reddit ](https://reddit.com/submit?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lifeisasacredtext.com%2Fbeforemidterms%2F&title=no%20matter%20what%20happens%20this%20week&ref=lifeisasacredtext.com) [ ![LinkedIn](https://icons.spectralwebservices.com/linkedin_white.png) Share on LinkedIn ](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lifeisasacredtext.com%2Fbeforemidterms%2F&ref=lifeisasacredtext.com) [ ![X](https://icons.spectralwebservices.com/x_white.png) Share on X ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=no%20matter%20what%20happens%20this%20week%20-%20a%20few%20reminders%20%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lifeisasacredtext.com%2Fbeforemidterms%2F&ref=lifeisasacredtext.com) [ ![Email](https://icons.spectralwebservices.com/email_white.png) Share on Email ](mailto:?subject=no%20matter%20what%20happens%20this%20week&body=a%20few%20reminders%20%0A%0Ahttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.lifeisasacredtext.com%2Fbeforemidterms%2F) [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/00/99/0099f63a-257a-401e-b764-2ea218bf9990/content/images/2026/11/Pen-for-Power.png)](https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/pen-for-power-workshops?ref=lifeisasacredtext.com) ****Give yourself permissionā€“ and the toolsā€“ to get your work out there.** Join me for our next [****practical writing workshop**](https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/pen-for-power-workshops?ref=lifeisasacredtext.com)****.** - ****November 18, 8ET:** **How to Write a Book Proposal* - ****PLUS:** **How to Write a Book Proposal* ****GUIDE** available for purchase anytime, here, and included with the proposal series. - ****EXTRA GOODNESS - House of Study members get 75% off everything !** (**And yes, as long as youā€™re registered, the sessionā€™s recording will also be available to you.)* [get in on it now! ](https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/pen-for-power-workshops?ref=lifeisasacredtext.com) ## **MORE:** [The Collective Liberation Playbookyour activist toolkit![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/00/99/0099f63a-257a-401e-b764-2ea218bf9990/content/images/icon/life_is_a_sacred_text_icon_only--1--ec46f409-55d4-472c-8e0e-146cd35ef68f.png)Life is a Sacred TextRabbi Danya Ruttenberg![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/00/99/0099f63a-257a-401e-b764-2ea218bf9990/content/images/thumbnail/clipboard-image-1779218659-55134b4d-73f6-4bf6-ab86-9296267f8728.png)](https://www.lifeisasacredtext.com/playbook/) [spiritual practices for terrible timesyes, there's a screaming meditation, and I have it here![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/00/99/0099f63a-257a-401e-b764-2ea218bf9990/content/images/icon/life_is_a_sacred_text_icon_only--1--37d6979c-6263-408d-af6e-04526efe64de.png)Life is a Sacred TextRabbi Danya Ruttenberg![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/00/99/0099f63a-257a-401e-b764-2ea218bf9990/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2026-03-18-at-10.59.56---PM-1-744b1694-4569-493d-9a11-20d31ef7ffc1.png)](https://www.lifeisasacredtext.com/spiritual-practices-for-sucky-times/) [fortify insidewhy spiritual practice matters during the rising authoritarian tide![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/00/99/0099f63a-257a-401e-b764-2ea218bf9990/content/images/icon/life_is_a_sacred_text_icon_only--1--8ddaa8ca-6526-4ff3-8818-bffbdd86a9ac.png)Life is a Sacred TextRabbi Danya Ruttenberg![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/00/99/0099f63a-257a-401e-b764-2ea218bf9990/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-02-02-at-1.43.31-PM-83264098-5ef4-4e50-a3c8-d6e9391ba150.png)](https://www.lifeisasacredtext.com/fortify/) Reminder to **join the conversation** by hitting that still-too-tiny ****"comment"** icon at the very bottom of this email! 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