The Presidential race has had everyone on pins and needles for months now. No matter what side you were one emotions ran high for all of us. People have been crying in the streets and protesting over the outcome. Friends have stopped talking and relationships have been ended over the 2016 election. America has been polarized in a new way. I’m not sure there has ever been an election that turned into a battle of Good vs. Evil quite like this one. How did we get here? Where politics is wrapped up in the red beating the blue? Where there is meant to be discourse there is political gain in the way, and where the people should be speaking the system is.

Sadly, I am not educated or eloquent enough to be able to answer those questions for you. But what I can do is tell you it’s going to be okay. If you were not in favor of a President Trump, and have been as heart-broken as me over this election, the past we months have been draining. I can only speak from my position in the world which I know happens to be a lot less attacked than others, but still I foster hope for the coming years. Hope that we can pull together and make our home a better place-- no matter who is the President. Movements haven’t begun with who is in office they begin with the people. We the people.

If this was not your idea outcome I want you to think about what that ideal outcome is. Think hard about that image. Is it veterans getting the care they deserve? Is it women getting paid equally? Is it more young kids having warm coats? Whatever it is get that cemented in your mind.

I’m about to ask something of you.

First, whatever it is that you see make it happen. Make. That. Real. Now tell yourself that nothing can stop you. Because nothing can.

Now, here’s what I want to ask. If your ideals don’t line up with those of Trump then go out into the world and make yours a reality. If you believe that Trump will do harm to the people you love then go out and do what you can to re-direct it. Everyone has a few issues that they hold close to their heart. If yours is child hunger (of which there is far too much in the Triad area) then start a food drive. If your issue is empowering women then look around in your community. Most towns have centers for battered women trying to get back into the world on their own. Go help those women. Many of them need daycare and some day cares need more loving people to staff them. If education matters to you then see if you can volunteer to tutor young children. You don’t have to know Pre-Calc to do simple addition and times tables. There are a million ways that you can put all of your heart's true desires into action. And I beg you to do so.

Can you imagine the impact people could have if they did the work of their heart? So whatever it is find your passion and chase after it and help the groups of people that you love and wish to support and be an ally to. No matter who runs the country and sits in the Oval Office that power is always yours. The ability to make a positive difference in the lives of those around you will never go away. Let this election be your start. Realize what it is that you believe cannot ever be sacrificed and support it. Political affiliations and elections in the end are not what help everyday people that need it-- they get help from people in their communities who recognize need and decide to do something about it. Think of this as a call to arms. But arms to go hug people with. Arms to hold open for those who need it.

“You must be the change you wish to see in the world.”

-Ghandi