As I sit here tonight watching the presidential election, I can’t help but think of the outcomes ahead. Not about who will be the leaders in the white house, or who will be shaping the United States for the next four years. But I’m ultimately worried how people will be treating other people post-election results.

Despite who wins this election, we need to think of what we say and remember that we must respect the decisions of our family, friends, and colleagues. If your preferred candidate wins the election, that’s great. But don’t rub this election in the face of those who preferred a different candidate. They lost a lot too. They imagined a candidate with different views and ideas. They watched these ideas grow over the past year and a half and now they must imagine a nation where some of these ideas do not exist.

If your candidate loses, that’s very unfortunate. However, you need to respect those who have their preferred candidate win. Do not abandon your sense of hope and dive into despair. There are many things that will happen within the next four years, so we need to keep an idea of seeing a light at the end of the tunnel. Do not throw haste to the people who have a preferred candidate in office, they imagine a better nation with this candidate.

We all saw a nation full of advancement with whichever candidate we voted for. So why bash those who win or lose?

As a nation, we first need to learn how to respect the ideals and individualities that others hold. As we come to practice these, we become more well-rounded individuals. And eventually, we can hopefully become a more well-rounded nation.

Despite the results tonight, respect what happens to others. Respect their thoughts and values, and never bring them down for what they believe.