5 Things You Need to Think About BEFORE the Election

As the Presidential Election approaches and tensions become even higher, here are five things you need to think about BEFORE the Election.

1. Do Your Own Homework! In the next couple of weeks, we are about to be inundated by the media even more than we have been over the past two years. Let’s face it, at this point you probably have made up your mind who you are voting for anyway. Now might be the time to step away or curb your social media and news watching. Why? The media is set up to incite, distract and sway you into changing your mind. Don’t add more angst to your life. Do your own homework about the candidates without the influence of who the media or Facebook thinks you should vote for. You can do this! It is an individual choice given to you by the lives of many who fought for this freedom. You may not like all the choices, but there are more people to vote for than in just the Presidential race. What are the issues that are up for mandate in your state? Who is running for Congress? Read your ballot and be informed. As parents we expect our kids to do their homework, now it is time to do ours.

2. Be an Example! Our future generation and the world are watching. The 2016 Presidential election season has rolled out some of the nastiest campaigns I have experienced in my lifetime. However, how we react to the situation can even be more powerful than our vote. You have the ability to influence those around you and in your community by your response. We know there is going to be a winner and a loser, but you will be the biggest winner if you choose to use this moment as a teaching moment for demonstrating compassion, kindness, empathy and seeing hope as the driver for the future. What will your response be if your candidate loses? How will you act toward others whose candidate wins? Will you gloat or will you look to unify with others to embrace the challenges which lie ahead for each of us? Each of us are responsible for our own actions and we have the power to make a difference.

3. Think Before Speaking or Using a Keyboard! Words can have tremendous power, whether they are true or false. Social media has given everyone an opinion, but it doesn’t necessarily mean we should express everything we feel. Think about what you are going to share before talking or hitting your post button. The election will come and go, but in the process there are relationships you may destroy by your divisiveness, anger or your need to be right. I’m not saying people aren’t entitled to share their opinion, but when you cross a line it is difficult to put those words back into your mouth. Ask yourself, if what you are about to say is worth damaging a relationship or your own reputation. Wars have erupted over words. Families have been destroyed by words. People have killed themselves over words. Speak wisely and remember that sometimes the best thing you can do is to say NOTHING at all!

4. November 9th is Coming! Many of us will wake-up with Election Hangover. The election will be over and once again a new normal will need to be developed. This is an election season which has taken over many aspects of our daily lives. We have lived it, watched it, and it has in many ways sucked the life out of each of us. The Presidential Election is important, but now we need to step back and allow ourselves the opportunity to reflect on this election and see what it has cost us as individuals and as a society. Then, we need to recoup and set a new direction for ourselves.

5. Don’t Lose Your Passion! We have a way of losing our passion when we are tired or feel defeated. Now is not the time. The issues you were passionate about during the election are still vital. The Presidential Election may be over for four years, but the real fight has just begun. The President –Elect and all those who have chosen to serve our country need to be held accountable. It is up to each of us to make sure they do their job. If there is something you disagree with, then fight for what you believe is right. Get active and take a stand! This is no time for complacency. There are too many issues at hand to roll over and play dead. When we work together with a common goal, the strength of the human spirit is difficult to break and becomes our most powerful tool in making change.

There wouldn’t be a United States Constitution if there hadn’t been passionate men who refused to give up on life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. As American citizens we live in a great nation, but it isn't a President that makes a nation great. It is the people who make this nation great. Share on XAs American citizens we live in the greatest nation, but it isn’t a President that makes a nation great. It is the people who make this nation great. Don’t allow this election to derail you.