I am an American by birth and was always very proud to be a citizen of both Canada and the United States—that is, until I began watching the presidential debates. My focus quickly shifted from the election platforms to the personal shortcomings of each candidate. I began feeding off the constant negative barrage both seen and heard on TV and social media. This left me feeling unsure about America’s future and unsure about my ongoing allegiance to her.

Although at times the behaviour of each candidate was extremely questionable, it was more my own behaviour and participation in the dissemination of these events that left me feeling blue. Pondering this, I realized that I was becoming part of the problem. I had become distracted and drawn away from what was important: personal virtue, character, and controlling things I can control, mainly my tongue.

As Mahatma Ghandi so eloquently said, “We must be the change we wish to see in the world.” Remembering these words, I couldn’t simply stand on the sidelines, casting judgment over everything I deemed to be wrong. Instead I decided to involve myself in doing the things I believe are important.

I was further moved by a quote by President Obama regarding each individual’s responsibility to bring change: “Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek!”

Wow! So this wasn’t a spectator sport after all. I couldn’t expect others to shoulder the weight. I not only needed to change my attitude, but actually become the change I desired to see.

I therefore will be refraining from the more negative aspects of the current election and instead focus my attention, time, and energy on having a more constructive and positive outlook.

Democracy may have revealed its darker side for the moment, but it’s still democracy just the same and therefore something we can all be grateful for. 

These next four years may be some of the toughest yet for our neighbours to the south (and those who are their friends), so I am determined, more now than ever, to be a part of the solution by uplifting and encouraging all my fellow citizens whether they live across the street or across the border.