This election has made me sad, angry, worried, scared, and disappointed. Donald Trump is, as of last night (11/8), going to be the next president of the United States. It's weird to think that when I was a kid, Trump was just a strange businessman that lived on TV as the head man on shows like the Apprentice and the Celebrity Apprentice. I looked up to him. He was a "successful" businessman who wasn't afraid to fire people if they were doing a bad job. I thought that was a good thing, and I thought he was a good man. I don't really know if he is or was a good man, and now I don't think it really matters anymore.

I do know a few things though. I do know that he will be the next president of the United States. I know that America's relationship with the rest of the world's powers is going to change drastically. I do know that the sentiments that elected Donald Trump have been brewing and been stroked for a long time by both parties. I don't think that anyone likes the way the election worked, and I don't think anyone likes the way that America looks right now. People are scared, and I think that is reasonable.People are angry, and I think that is reasonable too. Both parties have convinced their bases that the other party will ruin America. The media have reinforced these beliefs. But we have let them into our minds and let them turn us against each other.

Whether you view last night as an underdog success or as a political farce that came out of a bad Mel Brooks plot, it doesn't matter anymore.

America can be great, but it will not come from a change in leadership. America's greatness will come from a change in attitude.

Introduce yourself to your neighbor. Ask to lend a hand, and if they need help, do what you can.

Teach your children to respect the attitudes and thoughts of others. It's no longer cool to believe that everyone who disagrees with you is obviously an idiot. I refuse to believe that the country is made up of half idiots, and that goes for whatever side you want to look at. Respect those who are not just like you.

Make sure your friends stay safe. We live in a world where political differences are now jeopardizing public safety. I don't care if you don't like someone because of a choice, religion, sexuality, gender, ideology, addiction, illness, intelligence, etc. Disagreements and diversity are not good reasons to wish harm on anyone. Ever. End of story.

This election could be the beginning of a new era. An awakening to each and every one of us that we do not exist in a vacuum. Our success is tied to the success of our neighbors and friends and family and even Joe from accounting who puts the milk in the bowl before he puts the cereal in.

There are people in power who are going to try to take away rights from people who have fought tooth and nail to be recognized and respected as humans. Take care of yourself and your family, but more importantly, help take care of the people that you don't agree with. Help take care of the people you don't like.

America is a nation full of great things and great people and tremendous opportunity that make us one of the world's beacons for success, prosperity, and justice. But from the eye of the storm, it is hard to see what other nations are seeing. We, the people, have failed each other for too long. Political parties, elections, and the media have convinced us that those we disagree with are idiots, are lesser than, and do not deserve to have a voice.

The right to fight for your freedom is one of the most American rights. The right to speak your mind, the right to feel safe in your own community, the right to worship who you want, the right to be anyone that you want to be. That is what makes America great. We must work harder for each other to protect these rights, to hold on to them with white knuckles, because we as Americans have lost track of what is good.

For your kids, for your parents, for your neighbors, for your coworkers, for your brothers and sisters, try harder to work for everyone. We are not racing horses with blinders, we are Americans. Land of the free, home of the brave. But the America that I saw in this election is not one to be proud of. We have fought with words and fists, and have not listened and have only bruises.

We are a city upon a hill, and the world is looking to us to respond to the growth of hatred, mistrust, and violence that this election and other world events have given us.

You, your American brothers, and your American sisters are not separate. Listen, love, respect, help, protect them. Understand and recognize your neighbors, your friends, your family, your enemies, your brothers, and your sisters. It is more important now than it ever has been.