By: Cheryl Smith
I know some people are really upset over the recent election results. Some are shocked, happy, and even devastated.
And still others couldn’t care less.
We must all understand that whatever our feelings—and we are all entitled to our feelings—in order to form a more perfect union, we must always continue to do our part. We don’t need anyone to tell us how we should feel.
There are a few things I would like. It doesn’t mean I’m going to get them, but I can put it all out there in the universe and maybe, just maybe…
First, you could try to be gracious in victory or defeat.
Now I know some people who went to college with me and read this, will be laughing because they say I had no mercy at the Bid Whist table.
I didn’t show one iota of grace because it was all about, in the words of that show I grew up on, Lost in Space, crushing, killing, and destroying!
When running a race to serve, whether it be a political office, community service post, or Homecoming Queen, grace is a noble trait.
What does it look like – win or lose, you offer expressions to your opponent or opponents.
You smile, even though your heart is crying.
Sometimes you find yourself comforting your supporters because they may totally lose it and have no desire to be gracious. You’re keeping the ship afloat, despite other efforts that could sink it along with your future aspirations.
As far as if you win, you don’t have to take a push card or sample ballot and lick it and slap it on your forehead and tell your opponent “nana nana boo-boo.”
Do you like kicking a person when they are down?
Just think about the athletes after a game, how they line up and shake hands. How you act determines how your team acts, and your team can make sure that your entry in the Healthy Living Expo Cookoff won’t stand a chance of winning.
Now Temperance is always good, especially if you lost. Depending on how you feel, spend a little time with supporters and loved ones, or don’t talk to the media.
Now, if you’re really angry, get your butt somewhere and sit down before you say something and write a check your butt can’t cash. Give yourself a chance to go through all the emotions because you don’t want to wake up the next morning saying, “if I would’ve could’ve, should’ve,” or “why didn’t someone stop me?”
I also hope people understand that just like the beat doesn’t stop, the work doesn’t stop either, and we have to constantly be in a mode of taking care of business.
And especially to those who plan to campaign for office.
For the life of me, I can’t understand who told you that a candidate is like a bear.
Therefore, you get to go into hibernation and come out when the “official” campaign season begins.
If you want to win, you have to do the work, and sometimes the work is not enough, as we have seen time and time again.
Everyone on this earth, when they get to a certain age, should feel a moral obligation to do something to make this world a better place.
If you’re here, ask yourself, and then go try to find the answer.
Finally, for those elected officials who did nothing to get out the vote on March 2. I hope that people don’t treat you and your campaign as you treated theirs.
In a few months, there will be another election – a runoff election, and once again, some candidates will sit around and try to fire folks up, when their minds are on the holiday, graduations, vacations, or how to make ends meet. Some candidates told me they’re jumping right back in as soon as they take a shower because they have an election to win and they can sleep later.
Then we have to get ready for the general election and all municipal elections.
I know you’re saying elections, elections, elections, when is it gonna stop?
Voter fatigue is real and it’s not gonna stop, so get with the program and get up, get into it, and get involved.
Every campaign is a campaign for the soul of this country and this world, and you have to be engaged. So, find something or someone you care about and get to campaigning.
