When I think of politics, I get a picture in my head: A hidden closet door that’s locked and bolted with thick and heavy chains. In my vision, this door is broken into by the competition revealing a closet full of dusty old skeletons. Each portrays a former self once owned by his or her competitor. The competition yells out “Jackpot!” forgetting about their own set of skeletons hidden behind their own thick chains.

We all have this locked closet, hiding our past selves, but it seems that the master key to open it, is politics.

I am not a political person. I never have been. I never plan to be. The funny thing is, I grew up around politics. My dad was a committee man, my uncle managed campaigns and my family somehow always got involved. I spent many days of my childhood “door-knocking” and distributing literature for the candidates my family supported. Each election day I was found working the polls (Why do they call it that?! I never understood and I still don’t!) I knew my councilmen, and many knew me. I have every reason to be a political person with my background, but I have never liked what politics does to people. It always hurts someone in someway, whether it’s a reputation or losing the race, nobody gets through a career in politics unscathed.

I think all of us as American’s can agree that we are a bit frustrated at the two presidential candidates we have to represent us as a country this election. I’m sure I’m not the only one who has scratched their head wondering how our presidential election has come to this, but may I remind you, it has come to this because of us, the voters. We did this. If you didn’t vote, you still did this. Let’s take a little accountability!

On one side, we have a man, who hasn’t learned the art of holding his tongue. This man could lead our country, the most powerful job an American can hold, yet fails to understand the power that a single word can hold.

On the other side, we have a woman, the very first woman to ever run for a presidential candidacy. She’s a woman who has committed a number of questionable acts – especially in her previous positions of power.

From one candidate we get the unguarded, ugly truth, while we question the other candidates honesty. Either one scares me a bit to hold this most powerful position, but I want to pose a few questions…

Have you never spoke in a way that you aren’t proud of? Have you ever said something that you regret? Do you ever have a knack of saying the wrong thing at the wrong time? Have you ever shown acts of racism and prejudice? Have you not judged others?

Have you ever made a mistake that you wish you could take back? Have you ever gotten caught up in your position of power – this can apply to work-life and home-life. Have you ever done something you regret? Have you ever tried to get away with something that you know wasn’t right?

If you’re like me, you can answer yes to each and every one of those questions. These candidates are normal people, just like you and me. They make mistakes. They are human. Let’s show them a little grace. Both are doing what you and I aren’t doing…running for President of The United States of America!

Instead of looking at these candidates in a negative light, I choose to find the positives, because the fact is, one of these two candidates WILL be our next President! If Donald Trump becomes our President, we will have a fresh, new approach to politics. He is by no means a polished politician, but rather, a smart and savvy businessman. His business background could be just what we need to pull this country out of the tremendous debt it is in! If Hillary Clinton becomes our President, I will be proud that a woman holds this most prestigious title! With her husband and former President by her side, she would have an asset that no former President has ever had before! Our country did well when her husband was Commander in Chief, if she is our next president, it would be like having two Presidents helping to steer our country – which needs all the help it can get these days!

At this point, I’m still undecided in who I’m going to vote for. If today were election day, I would have to do eeny-meeny-miny-moe to see which one would win my vote. I’m praying I gain more clarity before the big day and my vote doesn’t come down to that! One thing is for sure friends, this is a crucial election, and we as Americans need to find a way to cast our votes based on the future of these candidates, not their pasts.

We hold the power, choose wisely my fellow Americans!

Be Blessed + Be A Blessing