The Day After: Time to Get to Work

The US elections are over.  And only one of the candidates I voted for won.  Maybe I am a jinx for these elections.  Regardless of my personal preferences, I think we need to examine the fact that America is a pretty great place. 

I have received a few messages since yesterday's results that I completely agree with:

From Dear Friend Jan: "Ok , no matter how this all turns out. I just watched my husband (who is a Republican and I'm pretty sure voted for Romney) kneel and pray for President Obama. The hatred has got to stop. What kind of Christians are we when we are consumed with despair and hatred? We now need to have faith in our form of government which, I believe, is inspired. And we need to work to change our country for the better. Whining accomplishes nothing."

From a former neighborhood YW:  " I was talking to a rather disappointed customer about the election last night. The only thing I could manage to say was that 'it could be worse. I haven't found an acceptable alternative, but it could be worse.' She looked at me and said, 'ya, we could live somewhere where we don't have a say in our national government.' She's right, we do have a say in some of the things that go on here. If you don't like the things going on at the capital, write your congressmen. They are there to listen and speak for you. All you have to do is tell them what you want. There are ways to make the next four years relatively painless for yourselves, speak up to someone that can do something about it. Being all worried and pissed on FB isn't going to get anybody anywhere. Besides, if the group of you that I know have an immense trust in God truly do trust in him the way you say you do, then you know that he has a plan for all of this. We may not know what it is, but it obviously wasn't to make Romney president. If you truly believe God has a plan for all of us, then you must have faith that even though you think Obama will destroy us God will help us all. If you don't like a policy let someone in government know, make use of the system that the founders provided to you. Don't just post to the internet that you are mad Obama won. If he tries to pass something else you don't like write, call, or send a telepathic message to your local representatives. They are supposed to be there to help. Make the do their jobs and then go home and trust that God will make it all work out for the best."




And from Dear Friend Micheale, a good reminder: "'The future is as bright as your faith.' -Thomas S. Monson"





 If we have done all we could, then we need to get past the disappointments and get to work.  What can we do in our community to improve the situation?  Can you volunteer at a school?  Can you run for city council?  Can you work with a non-profit group to affect the changes you were hoping to see in this election?

Don't let the disappointment from one election stop YOU from making a difference.  We are each still responsible for doing our best to make the world a little better and that is true regardless of which candidate won the election.

So friends, I'm off to the high school again today to do my best to make a positive difference.  What are you willing to do?

Wisdom of Abraham

You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.
You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.
You cannot lift the wage earner up by pulling the wage payer down.
You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.
You cannot build character and courage by taking away people's initiative and independence.
You cannot help people permanently by doing for them, what they could and should do for themselves.
---Abraham Lincoln


As you celebrate this weekend in your family fireworks, bar-be-ques, and parades, take a moment to reflect on the principles that make this country great. Ask yourself if you are defending, supporting, and encouraging those principles in your family. The only way we keep America great, if to do our part.

God bless America! Have a fun and safe 4th of July!