As we approach an Election Day, could we all try to remember our sanity and decency? If our preferred candidates win, try to accept victory with humility and grace. If our preferred candidates lose, try to accept defeat with courage and compassion.
We can expect and accept victors’ cheers and losers’ jeers. That’s all fine. I do not accept the ranting and rioting of losers, especially under the guise of peaceful protest. That is just plain embarrassing.
We must do better. If you are an American citizen, cast your vote at the ballot box. Encourage others to do the same.
If mainstream politicians win, so be it. If political outsiders and newcomers prevail, so be it. Black, white, male, female, conservative, liberal, whatever! Vote for good people. Vote for those you believe will make our country strong. Perfect. I hope that those who cast their votes differently also believe they are voting for good people, not just party politics.
Regardless of election outcomes, I hope we all will try to spare others the sarcasm and cynicism and arrogance of feigned superiority. None of us is so special that we have all the right answers.
If our preferred candidates win, may we gloat not with self-satisfaction. If our candidates lose, may we cling not to denial and anger.
May we remember, we all want a strong nation, a booming economy, a safe place to live. We may not all recognize multiple “right” ways to achieve similar goals.
Whenever we lose, we must remember that we are not alone. Millions of others lost also. We all must go through a process of grief and great sadness.
Whenever we win, we must remember that we will not always win. We can breathe a momentary sigh of relief, and count our blessings, but we should appreciate that many of our dear friends and family members may be sad, heartbroken, and not celebrating.
In each election comes grief and glory. Sometimes we’re the bug, and sometimes we’re the windshield. Disrespecting people we believe are disrespectful is counterproductive, at best.
