Staying Strong

I feel compelled to write this today.

Last night, I watched as hopes were dashed. I watched as too many people believed lies over truths. I watched as, I believe, the rest of the world did, as a man I have no respect for was elected president and ballot measures in my home state didn’t go the way I hoped.

Some people, obviously, are happy. Some people believe this man will do a good job. I hope they are right. I hope he doesn’t make flawed decisions based merely on what will be best for his companies, not for the people who helped elect him. I hope he works with all sides of our government and pulls people together. Some people wanted certain things, and got them. I hope they work out in a way that helps this state.

I went to bad last night depressed, crying just a little. My fears overwhelmed me. As I laid there, held by my husband, who knew how important this was to me.

I woke up this morning shortly before my daughter woke up. I confirmed that it wasn’t just a bad dream, and then my husband brought my daughter into the room, who had just woken up. She crawled in and snuggled with me, and my thoughts turned.

I have been concerned about a lot lately. I worry about paying bills, raising my girl, and what the future will bring. I’m also anxious about getting everything done. Lately – really, the last few months – things have piled on top of the piles I currently have, and my writing has suffered. I barely have time to do the things I need to do, let alone the things I want to do. Many of my passions have been put to the wayside in order to get through, and because my heart hasn’t been completely in it.

Holding my daughter, I closed my eyes and thought about how thankful I am to have her. I’m thankful to have my husband, an amazing man, really, who told me after we heard about the election, “Don’t get depressed about it. We will survive,” and then started singing, “It’s the End of the World As We Know It.”

I still am unhappy with how this election turned out. I still am anxious about the future for us and for our country. But I have to be strong. I have to be strong for myself, for my daughter, for my friends and loved ones. I have to keep promoting good, truth, and positivity. I have to stand up for people and things I believe in, stand against things I see as wrong, and help make this world a better place. I have to keep doing the things I love, and spreading that love and hope to others, to show that this world is not created or halted by one person and their faults.

I write this partially because I need something uplifting to help my spirits today, and I think a lot of others out there need this too. Here are some good things I’ve read so far that have helped, from my friends (denoted by initials):

“The next four years aren’t going to be easy, but we can do this. Shine love and compassion everywhere you go.” ~ BS

“[We] can be a powerful force of good in our country if we all pitch in. I’m not giving up.” ~ LC

“Don’t give in to cynicism. We can still fight evil. We can still spread messages of understanding and love.” ~ SW

“Love is the only way we’ll get through. Give it, receive it, no strings attached.” ~ KL

About Brittany Westerberg

I'm a lover of writing and books. I graduated from South Dakota State with a master's degree in communications in 2011, the same year I was first published. I'm a wife and mom, and I work in content and digital marketing in South Dakota.