11/04/2026
I woke up this morning with so much joy in my heart, not because I had just meditated or was trying to think positively, but because of a wonderful feeling of hope for those of us who believe in human equality and live in the United States, including people from many counties, whose lives are affected by the words and actions coming from the White House.
I celebrate every person who can see beyond the noise, distractions, and propaganda and recognize what truly matters: our shared humanity, compassion, dignity, and the values that bring us together, and vote!
For everyone born in the U.S., unless you are native American, if you trace your family history back far enough, 100% chances are that someone in your family had to make a difficult choice, leave everything familiar behind, and start all over again so that future generations could be born here and have a better life than theirs. It’s not a matter of opinion. It’s a historical fact.
For those of us whose ancestors did not make that journey for us, we are the one made that difficult choice ourselves. Many of people I know made that decisions in our late 20s, not for the American vocation, but a dream that they know they have to work hard for, I was one of them.
Some immigrants arrive with family support, perhaps to pursue an education. Many others study hard, work tirelessly, and continually prove their qualifications and value, and pay money to the American government so that we can update our document for another period of time, just to have the opportunity to keep working hard. Many have become doctors and healthcare professionals who contribute to America's healthcare system. Many of them become the professors in the education system. American universities also benefit greatly from international students, who pay significantly higher tuition, as far as I know, only higher and higher, as an immigrant, we work harder and pay more, because our future is dependent on the choice we made and action, not the government from day one.
As immigrants, we often pay more than people realize, and many of those costs are invisible. We leave behind our families and everything familiar and know, our self identify, language and food choice and everything about us. Many people think about moving to another country is something romantic about it, I say no, it is a realistic check and self-reliance. We learn a new language, adapt to a different way of life, and continue studying, working, and contributing while navigating years of immigration requirements. I have yet to meet an immigrant who hasn't worked hard to build a life here. I don't care where they come from or what they look, the fact that they are here, they made some hard decision that you don't know anything about.
I became an American citizen in 2018, and I have voted twice, which I have to earned my right to vote. I know that immigrant voices are hard to hear on the mainstream, but voting is my right, and I earn it, and many people I know like me voted yesterday. Don't forget to count our tireless, often unseen contributions including the votes we cast for the America we believe in.
Over my years of teaching yoga, I have attended at least ten naturalization ceremonies for friends and students from Italy, Croatia, Brazil, China, and other countries. And they came to mine. They are included two of my teachers, my Art teacher from China and English teacher from Denmark. Each ceremony represents years of perseverance, sacrifice, and hope. We contribute to the communities where we live, build relationships, and make this country our home.
I am sick and tired of the division, hatred, and fear that put people's life in depression and family in separation because different beliefs. Today, my heart is filled with hope because I see people looking beyond the noise and remembering what truly matters.
I still believe in the spirit of America. We didn't vote for red or blue. We voted for the values that brought us here in the first place.
That is the America I crossed an ocean for 19 years ago.