I woke up the text of my sister who was more than two hours ahead in a completely different state. She said she was happy that we had a new president but that there were also many others who were disappointed and mad about what had happened the previous night. I was still tired from the night before but it was confirmation that what I thought had happened... actually happened.

Many are in disbelief. Many are disappointed. Many are angry and bitter about the turnout of the elections. But it dawned on me that many are also missing the point. For many Americans who have long awaited this day through decades of torment, the impossible became possible. For once I see that the democratic system actually works to reflect the voice of the people. For once I can see that we are crossing bi-partisan lines, bi-racial lines, bi-religious lines to work together for a common purpose of uniting the country that we all call home.

What does it mean to be American? What does the culture of Americanism present to us and what does it encompass? I'll tell you what it isn't. It isn't defined by one type of people, or one type of religion, or one type of social class. To be American, we share in the belief that there are values worth preserving and worth fighting for. The simple elemental freedoms that are due to every man, woman, and child. Freedom of expression, freedom of individuality, freedom of speech, freedom from religious persecution, freedom to pursue happiness, freedom to be what we choose to be.

The first immigrants left a country of tyranny to pursue religious freedom, to worship as they chose to, to find and discover new possibilities in a whole new world. How far we have come, but how far we have had to go. I believe God's blessing is still upon this country, even though some believe his grace is departing. In the end, all things are appointed to him to be done and used for his unseen purposes. But beyond the religious undertones of what I'm trying to say lurks the possibility of a new beginning. A new beginning where we see things that were unattainable as somehow attainable. Where the cliche phrases of the past that spoke of being able to do whatever we set our minds to, was now within my grasp of understanding.

I look back on the many years of discriminant judgements coming from people who were not like me. I look back at the intolerance that was practiced from those who claimed to be accepting. I look back and see the mistreatment of the people of lesser opportunity as my parents and I see a new hope on the horizon; and although we have much work to do, I know that the sentiment and the tide of change is coming. Our American culture as we know it is again changing, and if we are not embracing that change, than we are only hurting ourselves as we close ourselves to the endless possibilities of everything we can achieve as the American people.

You may not like it. You can be disappointed, but I still believe that everything happens for a reason. At the end of the day, God is still God, and everything is in his hands. I do not stop trusting in His purpose and his will for us and what he wants to do for this country and I promise I will do whatever it takes to play my part for the new vision he has.

Let's close the chapter of ignorance and hate. Let's open up the doors for opportunity to help our brothers and sisters who are less fortunate than us and let us promote unity within our homes, churches, work places, schools, and communities, for a nation divided against itself cannot and will not stand. Divided we fall, United we stand.

I can eat cheetos going around a 45mph curve.
I don't like my current job but I enjoy the paycheck at the end of every month.
I think I just want to finish school to check it off the list for my parents.
I'd like to see my dreams of the dance ministry growing into something that is able to manage itself.
I believe my future wife will love photography just as much as I do.
I love the options of the city life but I love the peace and quiet of the endless forests of the towns of nowhere.
I often have visions of doing things that are greater than what I am capable of because of what God has implanted in me.
I'm here and everywhere all at the same time with my thoughts and with my heart.
I'd love to travel to any country where my help is needed at any given moment.