So, our president-elect is Donald J. Trump, and whether you were crying tears of joy or sorrow, the facts remains: he will be in the Oval Office January 21st, 2017. I think a vast majority of the population needs to let that shocking truth settle for another few weeks. We are nearly two weeks out, and the chaos has only slightly begun to dwindle. In recent memory, I cannot think of a more divisional event for our country. Even those who primarily remain politically neutral somehow got dwarfed in with this enormous election. Many of these people were forced to take a side out of fear for what the other party might bring. There was also a nationwide attitude of dissatisfaction. The same, ancient democratic ways were beginning to take their toll on the average citizen. Out of pure necessity, a drastic, anti-establishment choice was made, and who can blame them?

How is the American population taking the results of this shocking election? Pretty poorly, if you ask me. The sense of urgency everyone felt when determining their vote for candidacy has since been lost, and in its place, a movement of hatred masked behind the illusion of "protest". Now, don't get me wrong, some of these people have authentic reasoning behind their protest, but the majority shareholder in this venture belongs to a demographic of much younger people. These people's refusal to accept the election has since been somewhat alleviated, but the first few days of denial were strikingly eerie. Individuals from all political walks of life were chiming in on what was seemingly the only unbiased opinion out there - theirs.

Now, if you were to ask me what I thought of the harmful attacked caused by this election, and how they have impacted me, I might tell you I'm indifferent, but I would be lying. I think many other people have joined me in this large yacht of seclusion. My fears of what's to come would have been exercised despite the outcome of November 8th; however, the manner in which I addressed these fears varied greatly. I spent an unknown amount of hours researching every theorized possibility out there. I saw many of my colleagues do the same. We all had a similar idea in mind - we wanted to be prepared. Some extremists took this election underneath the wing of their doomsday scenario, and began taking preparation with The End in mind. I chose a more peaceful route, which is my suggestion for anyone who may have had the same fears, or is drawn to a more pacifist approach.

My personal fears involved the platforms for both candidates. I was worried that the last eight years of presidency would be demolished, and in place of democracy would be martial law. May sound exaggerated, but I promise you these thoughts floated around my confused mental. I was worried that relations with some of the world's rising powers would be tarnished and trampled. I had struggles with the idea of America's middle or lower class regaining any sort of foundational support, which both candidates promised. See, the strife that was being caused stemmed from either side, and I had to truly step back and confront myself on core values and personal beliefs.

This method of peace that I concluded to be my own strategy included an array of different tactics. Once I heard the major news networks winding down and finally beginning to make a permanent prediction, I immediately removed any sort of sentiment that I was right, or I had the answers, and certainly, the idea that anyone genuinely wanted to be convinced of anything other than what they were thinking and feeling in that moment. I had an overwhelming impression that there was no hope for the American people. Those who are strongly opinionated were showing no signs of remorse, or relent. I began entertaining the cliche idea of moving far, far away. What I then began to realize is that by having these thoughts of hopelessness and exodus I was stirring up an even bigger problem for me, and it was collectively adding to the negative masses. Running away doesn't change a thing. Speaking your mind to the point of exhaustion and discontent doesn't change a thing. No, the only way to change something is to take initiative and search for a resolution, rather than bringing the problem into the limelight where it is then skewed and disproportionate to reality.

With this, I have come to a moderate level of acceptance. I am reminded that nearly every four years an outrage like this happens, and history will continue to repeat itself as long as our country's right to vote remains. As the next four years begin to saddle up, ask yourself if you want to exist in a constant state of upset and resent your fellows, or do you wish to further progress the American people and try to salvage what this divisional time has done.