A small responsibility...

In case you didn't know, today is election day. Actually, if you haven't noticed it is election day you're probably living under a very well secluded rock somewhere. I voted early this year and that's been something of a relief when I hear of the long lines some of my colleagues are and have endured. I, for one, will be glad to come home to a mailbox with real mail in it and not the overstuffed political catch all it had become. But, I also know that political ads and arguments aside, voting is the right thing to do. And that is the bottom line.

I have a preference for President and I'm sure you do too. Maybe we even agree. The thing is, while I want my candidate to win, I applaud your right to vote and hope you are using that right today. My friends from abroad have been making their preferences known to me as well which points to the importance of this, and all, elections. We don't live in a vacuum  We live in this world, big and glorious and full of issues that demand our global attention. People all over the world are watching and what we do matters...a lot.

I'm a big believer that one person can make a difference. I believe in the ripple effect. I think we sometimes start thinking that our small voice or our small actions don't amount to much. Trust me, they do. I've seen it happen where I work. One person, responding with kindness, with no expectations of anything in return, can start a spark that can turn into a flame!

And that's what your vote can do. Today I saw people who feel like the fringe of society get out and rock the vote. The folks I work with, our clients, often don't feel like they belong anywhere but today they were very sure they belonged in that line with all of the other citizens. The strength they felt from being heard in the polling places was infectious. As it should be.

You matter. Your vote counts. It makes a difference and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Cynics and political whiz kids can argue until they're blue in the face. You're important to the state of our country and, consequently, our world. Don't take that responsibility lightly. It's a gift that some others in the world may never know. And whether your candidate wins or loses, know that, at the end of this election day, you did the right thing.