Win or lose, life goes on—if we get out of its way

Many of us have voted or will vote soon, and the whole process makes me think of the complexity of decisions—choices. Months, maybe years ago, we each started processing our thoughts, forming a wish or hope list for what party we supported, who we wanted to represent us, and cementing a defense for our position.

Let’s assume you’re a Democrat and the Republican wins, or you’re a Republican, and the Democrat wins. You made your own decision and voted; good on you, and you and your friends of like minds, along with your candidates of choice, won or lost.

When voting is over, we receive good or bad news. Now, how do you make the best of it?

Compare it to a canceled flight, and you miss Christmas with your family. Do you rant, rage, run up and down the terminal, or shift your outlook and search for a plan B?

Again, the decision is made and implemented. You can’t change it after the final tally is announced.

We win and lose every day, and after this election, as I understand it, close to one-half of Americans will be thrilled and the other half devastated, fearful, and angry. The winners will celebrate, and the losers will blame and attack the opposing side, the government, the media, or any other target.

The truth is, when it’s over, it’s over, and whatever the outcome, we each have the opportunity to shift our thoughts and find some fashion of unity. We are, after all, the United States of America.

For the sake of mental health, what we do after winners are announced determines the success or failure of wellness. Our brains are powerful and can lead us anywhere between peace and destruction. We own 100% of our thoughts and, therefore, 100% control of our emotions and actions.

If we desire a world of Liberty for All, we must hang our hats on the words in the Declaration of Independence: All men are created equal. Lose or win your choice of candidates in this upcoming election, you can cry for a while and then get on with life. Feel and express your emotions, but don’t get stuck in gunk and mud. It would do you and nobody else any good—only harm.

My mother would say, “You can get glad in the same shoes you got mad in.” Success starts in your thoughts. Catch them, keep them, or throw them away.

If nothing else works, hug a dog and consider the holiday season ahead. Win or lose in this political mess, life goes on—if we get out of its way.

Until the next time: Live while you live.

Jennifer Goble, Ph.D., LPC, is the author of “My Clients…My Teachers,” and the blogger and writer of Rural Women Stories: www.ruralwomenstories.com.