We Were the Buffalo

Two years ago, following the 2024 election, I sat down to write the first of what would become these Guideposts.

I was heartbroken, concerned, and uncertain about what lay ahead. I knew I didn’t want to lead or live from a place of fear.

Instead, I got quiet, listened to my inner wisdom, and asked myself: What is mine to do?

I wrote about the buffalo. About having the courage to face the storm rather than run from it. And about the possibility that what was missing from our democracy might become the blueprint for what we could build next.

I fiercely imagined we might someday have that opportunity. And I kept writing to you every other week.

Well, here we are.

Pause to Celebrate the Win

For those of us who have longed for a different direction, the November 3 election felt like a demonstration of the course-correcting power of our voices, our choices, and our votes.

Watch: ‘SO FREAKING DELICIOUS’: Ironies abound in midterm Republican wipeout

It is a moment to celebrate the courage, persistence, and determination that brought us here.

I hope you have taken time to celebrate. Before we rush into what comes next, anchor in the win. Acknowledge the effort, choices, and people who helped make it possible.

• Journal about the experience.
• Talk about it with your inner circle and friends.
• Rejoice with like-minded others.
• Treat yourself to a memorable experience or a meaningful reward.

And then? We get to work.

We Were the Buffalo. What Comes Next?

The opportunity before us is a chance to restore trust, strengthen institutions, protect freedoms, and build a democracy worthy of future generations.

The work ahead will require vigilance, participation, accountability, and a willingness to keep doing our part.

We’re entering a new chapter. We can move beyond what we’ve been fighting against and become intentional about what we want to build.

We were the buffalo. We faced the storm. We moved through it.

Now, let’s put that courage to work.

Three Ways to Help Build What Comes Next

Let’s exercise our responsibility as citizens. Here are three ways to begin.

1. Stay Engaged and Demand Accountability

Pay attention to what elected officials do, not just what they promise. Follow their decisions, communicate your expectations, and hold them accountable.

That also means noticing when corruption creeps into our governance and taking action to address it.

2. Become Part of the Solution

Show up. Participate in town halls, community conversations, and citizen initiatives.

Find a place where your voice, skills, and energy can contribute. Then keep showing up.

3. Help Build What You Want to See

Move beyond identifying what’s broken. Get clear about what matters most to you in the future we’re building.

• Do you want to strengthen institutions that protect the environment?
• Do you want to protect civil liberties?
• Do you want to make government more transparent, ethical, and accountable?

Ask yourself: What difference will I make in the next three months?

Once you have some clarity, take action. Keep going.

Today, We Become the Reformers

Two years ago, I dreamed we might reach a moment when rebuilding a better democracy would become possible.

I believe that opportunity is before us.

We were the buffalo. We faced the storm.

Today, we become the reformers.

The democracy we want won’t build itself.