Many were shocked about the results of the 2016 election. Shocked? No. Perhaps that is not the right word. Completely distressed, ecstatic, pissed, and overjoyed were the feelings of millions of Americans late November 8, 2016. Yes, your opinion is valid no matter what it may be. Perhaps I agree with you. Perhaps I don’t agree with you. It is valid because it is your own opinion and you are entitled to that. However, all over social media I continue to see shout of despair and anger as well as claims of doom in the immediate future. In response I say, then go out and make a change in which you believe. Everyone. Even those who are thrilled at the results.

Anger breeds anger. Anger does not propel us forward. If you are shouting your beliefs all over social media and doing nothing to integrate those beliefs you feel so strongly about into society, then you are apart of the problem. It is good to feel strongly about an issue. It is good to be passionate. Yet what good does any of that do if your contribution to society is typing nasty 140 character comments on social media? So you’re mad. I get it. It is easy to take that out on social media, and to some extent that is okay. However, there comes a time when the repetition of gloom and doom perpetuates that very same thing. It also does no good to claim that great change is on the precipice when you do nothing to motivate that change. Use that emotion,either way, to fuel something that you do believe in.

As anger breeds anger, negativity breeds negativity. Things may or may not have turned out the way that you have wished, but if you doom the country now then what hope do we have? Hope is a precious, precious thing that is the motivation for change and progress. It does not matter on what aisle of politics that you sit on. It does not matter if you supported Trump or Clinton. What matters is that you get out there and work towards the betterment of our country. Volunteer. Contribute. Get involved. Have meaningful conversations. Empty words will do nothing.