Long read, beware. I would appreciate you actually read it. You might like what it has to say. [spoiler]There are a lot of things that happened this week. A lot of thoughts. A lot of feelings. A lot of stress. My initial thought is that I am disappointed. I am disappointed in the number of people who chose to support a candidate who embodies so much hate and fear. I understand that not everyone supported him *because* of the hate and fear, but that is not something separated from his policies and platform. I am disappointed in the Democratic party, of which I have been a member of since I registered to vote over a decade ago. I am disappointed with the questionable tactics with which they chose their nominee. I am disappointed with how wrong their campaign went. From my perspective, Hillary Clinton did not appeal to many of the people and groups that once had unwavering support for the Democratic party, and she alienated those outside the Democratic party who didn’t quite align with the words she spoke. Both of which are two very key parts of a campaign. I am disappointed in our political process. I understand the historical significance of the electoral college, but it bothers me that you can be awarded the presidency with the required 270 electoral votes, yet not receive the popular vote. Political science is not my area of expertise, but surely there must be a better system that more accurately reflects the will of the people, and doesn’t boil down to the “lesser of two evils” approach. And no, it is not only when “my team” loses am I concerned about our voting system and the electoral college - this is something that has come to mind throughout several presidential elections. I am disappointed in the American people. Not because I disagree with their choice, but since Obama’s first election our population has increased significantly, yet voter turnout was lower than it was in 2008. People were simply unenthused. We failed to motivate a significant portion of the country, and our country operates best when we participate the most. Nobody likes when a small portion dictates the choice of the many - not when you’re going out with your friends for drinks, not when you’re ordering pizzas for the office Super Bowl party, and most certainly not when you’re choosing your leaders. As most of you very well know, one of the issues I care deeply about is LGBT rights and protections. I do have some genuine concerns about the future of our country, along with the rights, safety, and general well-being of my friends, family members, and coworkers. With Donald Trump as President, with Mike Pence as his Vice President, with a Republican-controlled Senate, with a Republican-controlled House, and with at least one open seat on the Supreme Court, this causes me concern that I do not feel is unwarranted. A great number of Americans put their vote behind a candidate who refused to support the work that we had fought so hard for, and that the highest court in our land had only just ruled on. To LGBT Americans, along with many other minority groups, those millions of votes spoke to them with a resounding “you do not matter,” and this upsets me most of all. However, disappointment is not the only thing I felt this week. After I reluctantly went to bed, after the sun so surprisingly rose the next morning, and after a bit of the dust had settled - I now feel empowered, excited, and motivated. I feel this way not because Donald Trump is our next president. I feel this way because now is a time of action. Mid-term election season will soon be upon us, and it is clear that I can no longer assume that people will act in my best interests, or in the best interests of others that so desperately need a voice. I must be a part of the change I want to see. My voice must be heard. There are new issues to research and upcoming candidates to keep an eye on. There are campaigns to support, volunteer for, and make a measurable impact with. Now, perhaps it is because I am a straight, white, college-educated male who lives in an affluent area of Southern California, but I have confidence that we will weather this storm. It will not be quick, nor will it be easy, nor will the path be clear, but our nation has been through worse times and we have made it through the other side. The strongest steel is forged in the hottest fire, and the clearest diamonds are formed under the greatest pressure. And in this time of great opposition and divisiveness, I believe that it is paramount that we conduct ourselves with the utmost respect for others. We must not meet ignorance with more ignorance, hate with more hate, or violence with more violence. These things do not change when met with more of the same, they are only amplified. We must not be like them. We must combat the ignorance, hate, and violence with education, compassion, and understanding. We must have open eyes, ears, hearts, and minds. This is how we will create a better tomorrow for everyone. We will. We must.[/spoiler] tl;dr - [spoiler]not ideal, but let's make things better.[/spoiler]