This was originally published November 12, 2016. It's one of my favorite posts so I'm sharing it again on this election day when Herschel Walker is the most ridiculous candidate on the ballot and the Houston Astros fans are probably still celebrating their World Series win. The historical events just keep happening. We're all a little worse for wear, but maintaining our optimism. I hope.
It has been a historic couple of weeks in America. The Chicago Cubs won their first World Series title in 108 years and Hillary Clinton was elected as the first woman President of the United States.
Oh, wait. Only one of those things happened.
Fortunately, I’m still basking in the afterglow of that remarkable moment when the Cubs beat the Cleveland Indians in the 10th inning of the seventh game of the World Series. And it’s not just the win that has lifted my spirits, but the palpable positive energy surge that jolted from euphoric Cubs fans in Chicago and all over the country. Simply happiness. Simply awesome.
As for the election of Donald Trump as President, I’m much less enthused. I’m stunned. Disappointed. Concerned. Not happy. I was one of those people who said out loud, “If Donald Trump becomes president, I’m leaving the country.” It was easy to say that eighteen months ago when I saw this guy only as a rich, arrogant, narcissistic reality TV star with ridiculous hair. I was certain there was no way he could win the hearts and minds of voting Americans. I was wrong, but I’m not going anywhere. Nor am I going to protest his presidency. The people carrying the signs down the streets of America stating, “Not My President” are wrong too. He is our president-elect because our democratic system works. It’s just feels like democracy sucks when you don’t cast a winning vote.
So now what? I echo the sentiments of many friends, family, acquaintances, and strangers who have vowed to live locally, work for a better community, and be a positive influence on the people we live with every day. I wish there was a way to bottle the joy, pride, sense of community, and relief that millions of steadfast and fair-weather Cubs fans experienced after that final out of the World Series. I wish there was a way to pour it out or drink it up at uncertain times like these. It doesn’t work that way, but we can learn from the Cub fans’ experience.
Always believe that better days are coming.
No more “Wait ‘Til Next Year.” It did happen. Photo credit: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jack-stahlmann/reasons-the-cubs-are-better-off-as-losers_b_8303632.html
Let go of the things that hold you back.
Life-long Cubs fan, Bill Murray, let go of the Billy Goat Curse. And look what happened. Photo credit: https://twitter.com/643equals2
Keep the people you love and admire in your heart.
Ernie Banks, “Mr. Cub,” was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2013. Photo credit: http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/107948396/ernie-banks-legacy-includes-presidential-medal-of-freedom/
Commit to the long haul. Get others to join you.
Cubs fans span generations. Photo credit: http://dirtybaysports.sportsblog.com/posts/27431766/cubs-fan-texted-his-dead-grandpa-for-divine-help-during-nlds.html
Celebrate what’s good. Celebrate like hell.
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