“Abraham Lincoln statue” by Kelli Dougal on Unsplash

“My dream is of a place and a time where America will once again be seen as the last best hope of earth.”

These are the words of a President of the United States beloved by many, yet equally despised. The rest of the country truly thought he wasn’t qualified to run for office. I’ll leave your mind to stew, for just a bit, about which President gave us that pearl of wisdom.

Today is Election Day.

Once again our country is experiencing what may be a significant change.

Once again the world is watching.

Even to insiders, who enjoy the sport of politics, it’s not been a very pretty sight.

Lately, it seems we’ve become a country teeming with intolerance.

Clinging tightly to our beliefs and misinterpreting biases regarding the beliefs of our neighbor, we judge perfect strangers as misguided, ignorant, evil, even traitorous while our own misdeeds are viewed only in light of our best intentions.

Fervently believing that we are right and they are wrong, we stumble around clutching the “open minds” we are so proud of tightly encased in the little boxes we claim to think outside of; while the concept of Right and Wrong become so muddled we find ourselves answering our own call to battle with a lackluster “Why?”

Yet beneath all the clamor and disruption is something far greater than the noise: timeless values, including freedom, unity, courage.

Especially in times of change Americans, regardless of race, gender, religion, ethnicity or geography, need to think about the principles on which our country was founded; and, regardless of affiliation or beliefs, must try to work together. We need to remember these principals. Stand up for them. And, stand up for each other.

This has always been a Nation open to people of varied beliefs, our unity

strengthened by our differences. That’s How that’s Why our country was founded.

These principles and the life they allow are what hold the United States up as a beacon of light for others seeking the freedom we take for granted.

History shows that if we stand tall and work together despite our differences our country is invincible. This is how it must be or International Terrorism will become the least of our troubles. While history may not always repeat itself, What if it Does? What then?

Whether you walk or drive to your neighborhood polling place, think about the sacrifices made by people who cherished this country, and the freedom it afforded them so deeply that they traveled — often for more than a full day — to cast their ballots.

Reflect on the words of our much loved, much despised, and often maligned 16th President Abraham Lincoln (btw HIS words can be found at the top of the page, between the quotation mark”)

Ask yourself what you are doing within your various communities to uphold, to protect the freedoms gifted to us by our forefathers. Consider what more we can do, individually and together, so America remains a truly great Nation.