To my American friends and, because no country exists in a silo, my friends around the world:
Like many of you, I have experienced a range of emotions today. I am deeply saddened that over half the country has chosen a regime of fear and hatred. I am scared of what this means for me, my friends, and the world. I am also grappling with a sense of surreality. I feel like I woke up in an alternate reality or a strange hallucination. Today doesn't seem real.
But it is real. And we need to address that.
Throughout the day, a few quotes have played in my mind. These quotes have helped me articulate the mess of emotions swirling inside me. They've given me a sense of comfort as they reminded me of some of my favorite stories. And they've provided me with a glimmer of hope and purpose as I face this future.
"Dark and difficult times lie ahead. Soon, we must all face the choice between what is right and what is easy. But remember this: You have friends here. You are not alone."
"There's some good in this world, Mr. Frodo. And it's worth fighting for."
I invite you all now to think of your favorite stories. The epic tales. The ones that have stayed with you through the years.
Things got pretty bad for our heroes. They all reached a point where the world looked too bleak, where it seemed evil had won. But despite the pain, and the loss, and the hopelessness, they did not give up.
Neither should you.
You might say, "Those are just stories. This is real life."
Yes, they are just stories. But they reflect real life. They teach us important lessons. They inspire us. They give us hope for a better world.
And in the words of G. K. Chesterson: "Fairy tales are more than true, not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten."
Dragons can be beaten.
I urge you, in the coming years, to not let fear and hatred win. Please, be kind. Find the good and protect it. Stand up for what is right. Believe in a better world.
I do.
