The Santa Ana Diablo Winds have timed their entrance perfectly this year. They rush in abruptly and with force following a forecast that began Tuesday night less than a week past Halloween and Daylight Saving Time. The winds whip up dirt, obscure visibility, and cause unnecessary havoc on society and my garden ornaments in the front yard. Undoubtedly, the weather isn’t looking great today, but we still have to deal with life after the winds make their way through the state, terrorizing its residents today and tomorrow.

I hope I’m not the one to inform you of this, but the Associated Press declared Donald Trump the winner of the 2024 presidential election after he secured the 270 electoral votes needed to reclaim the White House. It’s not great news for a lot of people, and many are not sure of what to do next.

First, stop for a moment. Make time for yourself. I process life through the written word. Everyone should take a moment in whichever way works for them to process their feelings. Others, willing and able to, can take it a step further and set aside their talents and skills to cancel out all the negativity and replace it with acts that better serve the planet and humanity.

Voting in one Presidential election alone isn’t the only way to change the world. It’s part of it, but there are so many other civic, community-based, and everyday positive actions we can take to do every bit of what we can to preserve what we have until we can fight for a more equitable society. Everything from doing one positive thing for someone else tomorrow to organizing community and encouraging and supporting visionary people from marginalized communities to run for local political office helps.

I still have a ton of things to do this week. I still plan on taking a group of students into nature to learn science. I still have a position supporting community members in Los Angeles by providing afterschool programs and outdoor education experiences for all kids. I try to give back in many other ways when I can, and when I can’t, that’s okay, too. Today, it’s understandable if things are not going smoothly. The Diablo Winds throw a wrench in many plans, but I’d hate to lose any time for accomplishing things and preparing for what comes next while the dry winds hurl themselves from the mountains into the sea.