Written on Election Day, five hours before the polls closed.
During the initial shutdown back in the Spring, I used some of that down time to take a few online workshops.
One was a self-help, personal philosophy type course, and one exercise we did sought to identify our core values.
As a society, there are many values we all can agree on. Character traits such as compassion, loyalty, self-responsibility, and courage would be a few of these.
The idea was to narrow that list to the three most important to us, personally – the ones we give the highest priority.
What three ideals do you always strive for?
What standards do you hold yourself to meeting?
What keeps you up at night, if left undone?
It was no surprise when mine where narrowed down to Acceptance, Gratitude, and Optimism.
These are the principles that have always guided my life. I often follow their precepts unconsciously, because they are so deeply embedded into my personality.
As the polls begin to close on Election Day, I have been thinking on an intentional response to the outcome, whichever way it goes, that would be in line with my core values.
Acceptance.
The fact that people came out in droves this year to exercise their right to vote gives me such hope.
I believe this election year, more than any other, will be one that gives voice to the people who are America. And, because of that, I will accept the outcome, whether or not it completely aligns with my own ballot choices.
Gratitude.
I am grateful to all those who make up our election machine.
The county clerks, the election judges, the poll workers at each precinct, and the poll watchers who volunteer their time to make sure every citizen has an opportunity to vote.
I am also grateful that our system of government is set up so that each state may determine the voting system that works best for their citizens.
I trust in the process, because of the people who work diligently to make it all work – the people of our community and of our neighborhood.
Optimism.
A friend shared about the presidential elections that “neither candidate is going to save us from ourselves.”
I agree.
Leaders do not have super powers, and they are not all-powerful gods.
The leaders we elect are, instead, merely a reflection of who we are as a people.
Whoever is sworn in this January – from the president down to the local school board member – only serve to reveal to us what we are doing right, and where we need to make improvements.
My only prayer for the candidates has been for God to reveal their hearts during these political campaigns.
And now, as the Elections are over and the results have come in, my prayer is for our city, our state and our country to continue the work for the betterment of our communities.
We are Americans. All of us.
Let us heal what divides us and work together for Liberty and Justice for all.
