It is hard to believe it has already been four years since I attended the inauguration of President Obama back at his second inauguration in 2013. It was truly a once in a lifetime experience that I wish everyone could witness, in person, at least once in his or her life.
While I got a sense of patriotism when I attended, I also experienced sadness. Four years ago, during the inauguration, there were boos that came from the crowd, and I was not sure why. I turned to a random stranger beside me and asked, "Who are we booing at?" The stranger replied, "Mitt Romney." When I asked why, she replied, "Because he lost."
I think about that moment often, especially as the inauguration of President Trump has came and passed.
Yesterday, I read an article that said at this year's inauguration, Secretary Clinton was booed, as well, for what I assume was a similar reason...because she lost.
I thought it four years ago, and I think it again now. Why do we boo the candidate that loses? Is this a sport's event. No, it is not. Try to imagine someone booing at you. Now multiply that thousands of times over. Now of course, we all have the right to boo the heck out of whoever we want to, but we must ask ourselves, what is the point? What is the end game here? Do we do it to seek approval from others or to rub it in the losers face the fact that he or she lost? The one who loses deserves the same respect and grace extended as those who win.
We must strive to work ahead in the future, regardless of who is president, to respect others, and to treat others the way we would like to be treated.
So stay hopeful, stay positive, and stay calm about the future. This may seem like the end of the world to some, but in a certain way, even if only on a small scale, life is what you make it. Yes, I stole that line from Hannah Montana.
Rallying together and calling for change has its place and is, of course, important, but sooner or later we need to act. All it starts with is a word of kindness rather than a word of hate. It all starts with you.
