What are we going to do?

It’s the eve of the 2016 U.S. presidential election and I have this feeling, like a huge sigh of relief building. The truth is – it isn’t because my candidate is going to win (because they’re not), but merely because I feel like this election cycle has beaten life out of me. I’m ready for the attack ads to be over and for things to get back to normal. Yes, normal, well Washington D.C. normal.


"Whether you are a fervent believer – a patriot to the core – or a bewildered skeptic – unsure that nationalistic faith can ever deliver – take heart!


This is not the end.


I offer such hope as a professing skeptic, unpersuaded of the virtue of a vote for either candidate this week, and all but void of belief that either party can make America great again. But I am not afraid. I hope because our ability to live a rich and meaningful life does not rest on the greatness of America."
- Thad Norvell


Friends have said that this election has affected their mental health. One such friend said that when he watches TV he feels like he is seeing the final episode of America. I too have felt this unbelievable burden, fear even about what’s going to happen tomorrow. What doesn’t help is the constant barrage of “news” regarding the candidates; so much of which is complete and utter B.S. The way I’ve tried to cope with the election stress has been humor via sharing and authoring political memes. Unfortunately I may have added to the fray instead of doing something that was profitable.

Just the other day Dave Ramsey said “No president is going to fix your life!” That brought my head back into a healthy place. Sure a president can make life more difficult due to taxes/policy/etc. But in the grand scheme of things American life will continue on vastly unchanged. How? Because the system has become so ineffective. Our “leaders” are too busy bickering and sticking to their guns to actually accomplish anything or even represent us well. You know… taxation without representation?

During the 2012 election I wrote this and it is even truer four years later:

“Somewhere along the way Americans have surrendered their pioneering passion of personal liberty, self-reliance, adventure, and freedom; trading it in for the mentality that our government has our best interests in mind.”

So regardless of who is elected tomorrow, the real question is – What are we going to do? It would be easy to celebrate your candidate winning or bitch about your candidate losing, all in all perpetuating the cycle of dependence on government. Your president, your senator, your representative isn’t coming to your house or your neighborhood to help you love well. They aren’t going to show up and care for the widow down the block. They will be a no show when that single mom is having a really rough day. Loving well - serving others - having heart is on YOU! And if you’re a Christian loving others is heck only the second greatest commandment. I for one haven’t been loving well, I have been highly critical of others and have fed the fire of discord. So please forgive me, I should be a better example. Even as I wrap this up I’ve seen several friends on Facebook encouraging others to not leave their destiny in a president’s hands but to do something to better our world. That does my jaded heart good. Far too many times during this election I’ve said we’re “doomed” or “screwed”. That’s only true if we give up.

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