The ‘October Theory’ and Beyond
We cannot control the election’s outcome, but we can choose how we react.
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October, my second favorite month (September holds the top spot as it's the month I said 'I do '!), is a joy to experience. The weather is just perfect, not too cold and not too hot. The fall colors are at their peak, painting the world in vibrant gold, yellow, and a variety of reds, from ruby to scarlet. The Autumn sky seems to be an extra shade of blue, and the October air we breathe is refreshingly crisp. It's a season that brings joy and a sense of connection with nature.
Recently, I stumbled upon a thought-provoking Wall Street Journal article titled “The ‘October Theory’ of Changing Your Life.” The piece delved into a fascinating social media trend where individuals are leveraging the month of October to “reassess their approach to the last three months of the year. They’re using it to set goals, adopt new habits, and reflect—essentially transforming October into a mini-January, a time to revisit and revitalize the New Year resolutions they set for themselves at the beginning of the year." Thus, the “October Theory” has become the latest trend for personal growth and development.
I am usually the type of person who is neither a trend-setter nor a trend-follower. But I regard the October theory especially valid this year, given that a consequential election is approaching. Many of us have been consumed by politics for most of 2024. None of us know how the election will turn out next week or whether we will even find out the election result next week. There are many uncertainties, anxiety, and fear in the air. All we can be sure of is that there will be some sort of change, which will make some people happy but others angry, disappointed, and upset.
At the end of October and the beginning of November, we take some time to reflect what is really important to each of us and rethink how we want to approach to the remaining months of 2024 and beyond.
J.D. Vance, Republican Party’s Vice President nominee, recently said: “Whether you vote for Donald Trump or for Kamala Harris, don’t cast aside family members and lifelong friends--it’s not worth it.” You don’t have to be a fan of Vance to agree that he made a good point.
Many people are familiar with the saying, “We cannot control what happens but we can control how we react.” Or a slightly different version of it is: “We cannot control the change but we can control our attitude.” Thus, if the election outcome is not what you desired, keep in mind that politics is not everything.
The sun will rise in the east again the next morning after the election day. You still have people you love and who love you; friendship that brings you joy and comfort; a career that gives you a sense of fulfillment; the sunrise remains gorgeous; the nature is still full of wonders waiting for you to explore; you can still see hope in a child’s innocent smile. Remember, you have the power to choose your attitude and shape your life. All is not lost.
Even if the election result turns out to be what you have hoped for or even worked hard for, keep in remember this: it is dangerous to pin your hope and happiness to one person or one political party.
I grew up in Communist China, a country that used to fanatically worship one “dear leader,” the wisest man out of a population over one billion. Even his nonsense was collected and printed in a little red book that everyone must carry and commit the content to memory. The entire nation stopped thinking and questioning because we outsourced the thinking and questioning to the “dear leader.” The outcome was a predictable and preventable disaster that was defined by suffering and deaths.
One of the many things that has made America great has always been rugged individualism. Therefore, it is essential to remind ourselves that regardless of the election result, we hold the power to make a significant difference in our lives and our communities. We can read a great book to a young kid, mentor a troubled teenager, attend and speak up at a school board meeting, deliver a hot meal to a sick neighbor, never repeat a lie, and always vote for policies that strengthens our liberty, not those aiming to either restrict our freedom or taking it away.
My individual efforts include keeping writing and speaking. As George Orwell once said, “During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act.”
My husband and I will continue to fund our scholarship programs for high school and college students. We believe that young people are the future, and they are still eager to learn wisdom and beauty in life.
While we won’t have any control of the election results, we can choose our attitude: whether to be all-consumed by politics, or continue to make a difference through individual efforts. That choice is ours.