Post Election Ruminations

We have just had an election that has had more coverage and lasted longer than any in my lifetime. There is coverage after the fact that has people emotional and uplifted, or discouraged and defeated. My biggest take-away, and hope, is that young people learned one vital fact: that change comes from taking action. We all play a part in how the world turns, even if we like to think sometimes that there is nothing we can do to change the world. I believe it was about 135 million people who individually voted and, as a result, regardless of how one voted, there are changes afoot. It remains to be seen whether they are going to be good changes or not so good. But the fundamental lesson is that every single person makes a difference! Sometimes they are big differences and sometimes they are small. But they come from taking action.

Look around you and I bet you will find someone making a difference! My brother-in-law, Doug, ran for Congress. Unfortunately, he was defeated, but he was working on behalf of a constituency that needed a voice. He also did service to this country in Afghanistan and Iraq. My sister Pat does volunteer work in Central America, bringing dental hygiene to people who never see a dentist. Another sister-in-law, Lori, took care of a disabled adult. Anya is volunteering at church and in autism awareness. Even my grandson, John, did volunteer work cleaning up foreclosed homes.

There are so many more people out there quietly working to make a difference. Things aren’t as bad as everyone says. When we get to the point when we look around and no one is active in helping others, then it has gotten bad! We just need to look around and appreciate all of the good works happening, and recognize that we too can make a difference. And all of those little differences add up!

Thanks to everyone who is out there taking action to improve their or someone else’s world! I will keep on noticing. I hope you will too!