The Election is Over…Now What?

Today’s a new day! The election is over…now what? ~OC

Our nation has spent the last few years tearing each other apart. Now, as the 2024 election results have been tabulated and Donald Trump will become the 47th president of the United States of America, we have a tough task staring us in the face. We must pull ourselves together as one nation. We must make the choice to reach across the aisle and find a way to work together.

That family member, friend or neighbor that you exchanged unflattering names with is still in your life today. Nobody is moving out of the country. Or the house. So will we continue to flip them “the bird” or will we extend a hand and find a way to carry on in a loving and respectful way?

As I write this blog post, the American people have spoken. Half of America will wake up celebrating this morning and the other half will want to stay under the covers. So this Wednesday morning we have a new President-Elect, many laws and amendments have been passed or rejected.

So the political commercials are over, no more political phone calls /text or political rallies. So, now what?

During times like this we tend to turn to music to soothe our souls and help us through the uncertain times of life. Here is the chorus to the 1985 classic That’s What Friends Are For:

Keep smilin’, keep shinin’

Knowing you can always count on me for sure

That’s what friends are for

For good times and bad times

I’ll be on your side forever more

That’s what friends are for

One of the challenges of relationships is disagreement. Yesterday, those disagreements were not settled in a voting booth. But today, it’s time to move forward and return to being civilized neighbors and friends. If we cannot manage that, we will have lost the ability to be caring and respectful human beings.

Today, I will continue to pray for America. Today, I will continue to stand up and speak out for what’s right. Today, I will continue to respect those I disagree with. Today, I will continue to look at what unites us over what divides us. Today, I will continue to choose love over hate. I will probably not be perfect in that area. But I will surely try.

Do I have concerns about the future of America? Yes, I do. But I will continue to use the power of the written word to share my concerns and challenge others to speak out. I will not be silent.

But today, as I turn to my family, friends and neighbors the words of singer/songwriter Randy Newman come to mind:

“When the road looks rough ahead

And you’re miles and miles

From your nice warm bed

You just remember what your old pal said

Boy, you’ve got a friend in me

Yeah, you’ve got a friend in me.”