Election Day Wisdom from Gandalf

With Bonus Extended Edition Content At the End

Credit: New Line Cinema

Mae govannen friends,

As you may have heard, today is election day in the United States.

This got me thinking about whether there was any wisdom to be found in The Lord of the Rings on the subject. My mind immediately went to the conversation between Frodo and Gandalf in Bag End (this portion is moved to Moria in the films) about the burden of the Ring where Frodo shares his despondency and Gandalf encourages him.

So if thinking about today’s results makes you feel anxious or discouraged, take comfort in Gandalf's wise response:

"I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo.

"LMAO" said Gandalf. "Well it has."

Er... I mean… that’s not quite it. Here’s what Tolkien actually wrote Frodo and Gandalf saying:

“I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo.

"So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”

― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

May we take heart from the wisdom of Gandalf. Whatever today brings us, all we have to do is decide what to do with what is given us.

Appendices

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Extended Edition

Speak ‘friend’ and become a member of the Extended Edition to read the rest of today’s post, where I share a bit more about the origins of ‘LMAO Gandalf’ and the perhaps surprising connection between that character and the fact that you’re reading this email right now!