sad

I am sad today.

I am sad today, and I am not talking about the results.

I am sad today, and I am not talking about a number of votes.

I am sad today, because I am sad for you.

I am sad for us.

I am sad that the only opinions I see, are opinions condemning others for theirs.

I am sad that we have lost our faith in each other. That we have forgotten our friends that DO welcome us into this country and DO love us no matter our identity.

I am sad that we have forgotten that we do not live in a dictatorship, nor will we.

I am sad, mostly, that we are fearful.

Because often, fear slowly turns to hate. And in this case, “slowly” has a new definition.

I am sad that faith is being strewn out the window. That hope seems to no longer exist. That these most important feelings have been replaced with hate, with fear, and with hurt.

I am sad that we are forgetting that everyone has a right to their opinions, and I am sad that we are so hateful in our thoughts.

I am sad that we assume people hate a certain group just because they don’t agree with a policy. I am sad that we are calling out our friends and family in such radical ways. I am sad that some of us do not feel welcome in our own country. I am sad that some of us feel our progress is stifled.

And while I understand all of these opinions, while I understand that I have never walked a mile in anyone else’s shoes, I am sad nonetheless.

No matter your opinion, I believe this is a time to commit to following your dreams. To stand up for what you believe in. To give life and this country all that you have.

I believe it is time to do all of this, and to do it in a peaceful way, understanding that others will have different opinions, and understanding that they are allowed to.

Amid adversity, through adversity, and past adversity — I am asking you to commit.

Commit, with me, to following your dreams. Commit, with me, to living your American dream and pushing past any obstacles you feel remain in your way.

Commit, with me, to coming together as one, to remember what we stand for and to stop bashing those that we feel don’t.

Commit to working toward what you believe in beyond the confines of a screen (as I sit here typing), commit to going out and making a positive difference in those around you.

Commit to remembering who you are, to not letting your emotions stoop you down to other levels that are not as respectful and mature as you were raised to be.

Commit. Now more than ever, commit.