Reflection of an Election

The last ballot was cast yesterday evening and the 44th President of the United States was voted into office. Today millions of Americans are either happy or disappointed. Yet today millions of Americans still went to work, school and the gym. Today millions of Americans traveled, went shopping, chatted with their friends, visited the library, walked in the park and texted one another. They ate, did laundry and tried to balance their check books. They lived their lives.

Life goes on.

Reflect on the past months as both candidates battled it out. As they came out verbally swinging it appeared as serious and life altering as a showdown at the OK Corral. Last night marked the end of the road for one and the start of a new journey for the other. Only one would win and only one did.

Is life now perfect for the winner?

The momentary exuberance of the win is magnificent but short-lived. The work may be more challenging than ever before as the President is pressed upon to prove to the citizens that they elected the right man. There is no free ride.

Is life now over for the defeated candidate?

Not at all. The disappointment of losing is as temporary as the winner's exaltation. Life continues and, as we all know, when one door closes another opens. The one not chosen will go on to experience other achievements.

Try using the election as your springboard into the pool of understanding life – drink deeply of its metaphorical juxtaposition of good and bad, right and wrong, winner and loser.

What you can do is embrace what is. Breathe in the moment of what is. Live what is and give thanks for what is. Sometimes we win and sometimes we lose. However, if we reflect on where we once were and where we are now, we might discover that there were no losses – just a lot of living going on.

"By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest."    –    Confucius