My thoughts on the 2012 election.

Where should I even begin?  More than anything, I am just sad.  In the 2008 election, I didn't necessarily love or strongly believe in McCain's abilities to shape this place up, but I certainly was in alignment with him more than I was with President Obama.  This time around, however, I tried to inform myself on a daily basis with doses from both sides of the media.  I campaigned for Governor Romney in Nevada.  I made phone calls.  I donated money.  I tried to maintain composure and good standing with my friends, regardless of their political beliefs.  I did these things because I believed, and still believe in Mitt.  I truly believed that he could put us on a better path than the one we've been on for the past 4 years.  I invested my time, money,  and emotions because I knew that this election and campaign was something bigger than me.  

I don't regret anything that I invested.  I feel like I've learned so many life lessons and grown in a spiritual and personal way, from this experience.  I have fasted and prayed over and over again throughout this election.  I've had multiple spiritual experiences that I will take with me forever.  

Am I disappointed?  Of course.  How could I not be?  And I think that's okay.  I'm not angry.  I'm not name calling.  I'm just sad.  I feel frustrated when I see and read about so many of my friends trying to tell people to "stop whining and get over it."  It hasn't even been a whole 24 hours!  I would think that liberals more than anyone, would be able to understand that people are entitled to their feelings.  People are allowed to be sad.  I'm not validating or condoning people calling the President or other liberals, names.  I think there is a serious line that should not be crossed.  But if someone is sad, is that so wrong?  I feel pretty confident in saying that every single Obama supporter I know, would be experiencing some of my same thoughts and emotions, had the election not been in their favor.  

I work with a fabulous woman who has different political beliefs than I do.  You want to know what our conversation was this morning?  It started out as something entirely different {GAP Friends and Family to be exact}.  She didn't gloat.  I didn't name call.  I congratulated her and her candidate and she responded with something along of the lines of, "Thanks!  I am happy and am trying to contain it."  What a lady.  Isn't that how this should be?  So many claim that we all need to "be American and move on."  Is it American to tell people to shut up and get over it?  This was a very important election for both sides and I think it's okay to feel upset if it doesn't work out in your favor.  It is NOT okay to resort to extremes in either direction, and I know I have Facebook friends on both sides who felt it was acceptable to take it to a whole different level.  They are no longer my Facebook friends. ;)  

Mitt is, and always will be in my book, a class act.  He is a humble, gracious, and generous man.  I don't know that any informed individual could argue that, regardless of whether one agrees with his policies.  I believe with everything in my being that his sole purpose in running was because he really believed that he could help the country.  He didn't run for fame or money.  He ran because he loves America.  I can't help but feel sad when I hear anyone try to pollute his name with religious slanders and name calling.  I feel proud to have supported him for the past 4 years.  

Above all, the election is over.  The truth is, America doesn't crumble or succeed because of one man alone.  While I feel sadness and disappointment, I know that deep down the only way to respond to this, is to pray for our President and our country.  I hope that we will be able to pull through these hard financial times.  America is a great country and will prosper if the people can remember the principles that were laid down by our Founding Fathers.  

One of the women that works at my school, handed this quote to me as I was walking out today and I wanted to share it.  It was the perfect thing to bring optimism and hope into my day.

"Men may fail in this country, earthquakes may come, seas may heave beyond their bounds, there may be great drought, disaster, and hardship, but this nation, founded on principles laid down by men whom God raised up, will never fail.  This is the cradle of humanity, where life on this Earth began in the Garden of Eden.  This is the place of the New Jerusalem.  This is the place that the Lord said is favored about all other nations in all of the world.  This is the place where the Savior will come to His temple.  This is the favored land in all the world.  Yes, I repeat, men may fail, but this nation won't fail.  I have faith in America; you and I must have faith in America, if we understand the teachings of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  We are living in a day when we must pay heed to these challenges.

I plead with you to not preach pessimism.  Preach that this is the greatest country in all the world.  This is the favored land.  This is the land of our forefathers.  It is the nation that will stand despite whatever trials or crises it may yet have to pass through."    -Harold B. Lee 

I love that.  No one is perfect, government and citizens alike.  BUT, this is America.  It truly is the greatest country in all of the world and I am proud to be a citizen of this blessed land.  

P.S.  How beautiful did Ann look last night?  They are truly a powerhouse couple and I wish their entire family well.  

P.P.S. While I realize it is probably unbecoming of a non-political professional to be blogging about politics like this, I felt I'd be doing myself a disservice if I suddenly went back to blogging about goldfish names, cookies, and my "Fall wish list" without making a record of something that is real, true, and personal to me.