Walk the talk

I was not elected as COM President.  The news surprised me tonight, for sure.  But it didn't upset me. I said I respect the election process. It sounded catchy at the time. I truly do, though!  I must have repeated those words so many times that I internalized them.

The way I see it: this last year, I had a formal experience as Class President.  I served. I gained. I achieved triumphs, I admitted mistakes.  Now someone else deserves to have the same chance, the same opportunity, that I did, to develop as a leader in a position of low actual risk. 

Don't get me wrong: I do believe that I was the best candidate to serve.  This isn't specific to this situation; it's a general attitude.  I personally think that nobody should enter a race like this if he doesn't think he's the best for the job.  If you think your competitor is a better choice than you, how can you run in good conscience? You should step down and give up on the spot.

However, the school made the choice and that, in itself, is right.  That's democracy isn't it?  Whatever the majority votes is the right thing to do. The results of the election do not make me doubt my self worth nor my choices during the election, as I'm sure it would have 5 years ago.  What I could have done as COM President, I can do for any organization, and when I'm needed, I can give again.

The only conscious effort I have had to make is to leave behind my curiosity about the vote distribution.  Finding out who voted for who, how close or far the race was: that would indeed be "true but useless."  My sister said once, "Have strong beliefs, yet hold them loosely."  Fight hard in every contest, but leave your battles in the ring.  It's easy to follow the first part of these rules.  Now is my time to prove I can live by the latter.*

A victory speech does not require a win. Thank you to everybody who supported me during this election process. I deeply appreciate every moment you gave me, from your vote to your suffering through my emails, videos, and speeches.  Halfway through this campaign, I found a way to advocate for myself with integrity. That ability is reward enough for this entire experience.

*edit: I just received an email telling me where I could find out the breakdown of votes. This is my chance to walk away!