Spread that joy

My fellow Americans -

The election is over. The results are in. The people have spoken.

I’d say ‘God help us all’, but this nation is, theoretically, not governed by God or religion. Our system is designed to balance itself, to check those who try to seize unilateral control. I seriously doubt that Congress and the Supreme Court would allow our President-elect to expand his powers into Putin-esque levels. Other Presidents have tried and failed (FDR comes to mind when he attempted to remove a Supreme Court justice who wasn’t bending to his will). The system has worked before.

In order for our democracy to succeed, the American people have to respect the government. We don’t have to trust it, don’t have to like it, but we have done our civic duty and elected people to represent us and (hopefully) fight for our interests.

So as much as I fear for my rights as a women, freedom of the press, free speech, and immigrants, I choose to believe that our system will work. We have to respect the process, even when we dislike and fear the results.


Now it’s time to move forward. 

We woke up this morning, the day after what may have been the most important election of our lifetimes, and the world had not ended. Who we are and what we believe has not changed. Emotions are high, people are scared and angry (the Canadian immigration website crashed last night). My Facebook feed is full of fear and outrage and anger. And in it, messages of encouragement and love stand out.

So let’s focus on the good.

Let’s be positive and optimistic. Let’s stay (or become) involved in local politics and initiate change at that more personal level. Let’s volunteer. Let’s refrain from talking shit or spreading fear.

We can still be kind and understanding. We can still appreciate the little things – the sunrise over the mountains, the dusting of fresh snow, the celebration of life and friendship. We can still be role models.

Now is the time for random acts of kindness. Now is the time to show the world what losing with grace looks like. What winning with grace looks like. Now is the time to speak out when you see discrimination, to stand up against racism, sexism, xenophobia, homophobia, and hate. Now is the time to be an inspiration.

Let’s spread joy.

Let’s spread love.

Let’s be the change we want to see.

Let’s keep America great.