We are living in very fascinating times the world over and with a more keen interest in local, international and geopolitics which in one way or another has an effect upon each one of us. We are becoming a generation that is too glued to the internet, blog sphere and any breaking news that the center of our being and universe sadly starts to panic and worry about the future.

But such is the price we pay for accepting the role of democracy in our lives. We will always have winners and losers and we can’t have both in the same room at the same time! Since this will be the norm going forward; despite our political, class, religious, gender or ethnic differences we must let these slide to allow us to appreciate the world around us and to value the people and systems in our lives. Whenever, there is any breaking news or so it seems that everyone on Facebook or Twitter is on the same trending topic, there should not be a reason to panic or to start being stupid, unpatriotic or dimwitted. Learn to take a deep breath and relax- because the heat in the kitchen is only going to got hotter from here on!

We should appreciate the role of good governance, participate in our electoral cycles, welcome new leaders into the system and bid farewell to those that have served their terms. If we also want to seek elective office then why not?  Start by selling yourself, do your arithmetic, seek for campaign funding and donors and have a fallback plan if you don’t get elected. Don’t  ever burn bridges with others based on your theological, political or ideological differences because we are living in an interconnected global village where we all need each other.

Shun violence, dishonesty, voter bribing, electoral malpractice, divise politics based on ethnicity and not on ideas. Stay from such would-be leaders with such an agenda, please don’t vote for them and if they are in the incumbency then by all means vote them out. You don’t have a right to complain about higher taxes, runaway corruption, poor health services, a dwindling economy if you never use your voters card to make your voice heard. This is your only source of power and solace instead of complaining on a consistent basis about a poor national or county government.

I conclude with the words of the outgoing and now former president of the United States of America Mr. Barack Hussein Obama on the importance of participating in and accepting our democracy:

“Sometimes you’ll win. Sometimes you’ll lose. Presuming a reservoir of goodness in other people, that can be a risk, and there will be times when the process will disappoint you. But for those of us fortunate enough to have been a part of this work, and to see it up close, let me tell you, it can energize and inspire.”