2016 Presidential Chameleon

With this current election nearly finalized, while half of the country is breathing a sigh of relief because their candidate of choice was elected there's another half that are holding their breath waiting to hear that there's been an error in the count.  We all know that an error in the numbers is highly unlikely, so my advice to those who are scared, nervous, sad, angered, etc- don't present your feelings by acting or speaking in negative ways, rather, be a chameleon.

Chameleons, while not possessing a very attractive appearance, are one of the few animals in the world that has the ability to change color.  In addition, their hands and feet have large toes that assist with clinging to branches and they have the ability to look into two different directions at one time, granting them a full 360 degree view with the ability to focus their eyes quickly and enlarge what they are looking at- similar to how a camera lens works.

Those who know me know that I am not only an intellect, but I also love metaphorical approaches to undesirable situations to help get through them with a different mindset.  So I'm sure you're probably wondering where I'm going with this...

In order to be successful in life, we have to learn and master the skill of being adaptable.  No matter who gets elected into office there's always going to be changes that are both positive and negative.  Chameleons change color based on its emotions or whether or not its hot or cold- but at the end of the day they still change in ways that are complimentary with their environment and this is what continues to help hide them from predators, and it makes it easier for them to surprise their prey.  Whether or not you are angry to the point you are red in the face, or sad to the point where you are pale and puffy in the face- protect yourself and your surroundings by adapting to the changes that are taking place.  If you voted, there's nothing else you can do...if you didn't vote, adding your missed vote along with all the others who didn't vote could have made a difference.  BUT, at the end of the day the decision is made and all we can do is adapt.  Adapt to the change in office.  Adapt in the new structure of our federal and state governments.  Adapt to the changes in laws that will take place.  Adapt to the shift in energy among our country.

Well, at this point we've already determined that your candidate of choice didn't get elected- but rather than sit and mope around about it, stick your feet to the ground and keep it moving.  Finding problems with the way the country voted and complaining about it isn't going to change anything except for the fact that you will be the one who ends up being more mad than you were before.  Stay focused on your day to day.  Keep chugging away at achieving your goals.  Climb to new heights with those big toes on your feet that you haven't yet reached.  Don't let the choice of this election take any steam away from your boat.  Just like a chameleon, rather than sticking to branches, stick to your goals and keep striving to be a better you.

Now that we have adapted to the change, and are keeping our eye on the goals we have set for ourselves, it's time to look in more than one direction.  Looking forward is good- we should always be looking ahead.  We must also look behind us at all times and be reminded of where we came from.  Our ancestors have spent long hours paving the way that allows US to be included in the "WE" of the "We the people" of our Constitution's Preamble.  Let's not only look back at happy moments and wish that they were still happening- instead, let's look back at those times that ignite an inspirational anger to allow us to act intelligently when things we don't like come to fruition.  Did our ancestors really need to hashtag and post everything that angered them- only to be tracked and easily found by those who are angering them?  My guess is no, because such platforms didn't even exist.  So the next time you are looking out of only one eye, be like a chameleon and look out of both eyes at many different angles and ask yourself what else you can do to raise awareness and help the community- rather than picking up your phone and egging on something like a fight screaming "world star"?

As we all can see, our country is changing in many ways right before our eyes- in positive and negative ways.  This election has shown everyone how divided the mindset of our country really is with both major parties nearly being even in percentage of votes.  We can't blame race on the election results either because there are countless minorities that voted for the man that people didn't think would even be an option for them.  At the end of the day the decision has been made, and my remaining vote is for the chameleon. 

Today I choose to adapt, stay focused on my goals and strive harder to achieve them, and I will look at things from all angles to gain a more focused and grounded approach to not only my life, but to ways I will help our community!  Will you?