America. My thoughts on America. A question I've never been asked and I must admit was taken aback when confronted with answering. My nature is optimism. I want to believe even after a lifetime of expectations and disappointment that America has so much potential. With the recent election and the division in our country it would seem difficult to subscribe to the idea. Yet even with the tumultuous landscape of our political topography I am still a believer in what is possible.  

Why?

Because in my lifetime I've seen what I thought was impossible unfold. A black president (no matter how hated by the right) who maintained a dignity that in recent history has not been matched. Gay marriage and a freedom for LGBT that never ceases to astonish me. And although things are far, far from right (I can't stand to think what the next four years will hold) I know  I must continue to believe in people and America and what it is we might be capable of accomplishing. And although we do seem to get so much wrong somehow, someway we made this "progress" in the span of my lifetime that I never believed was possible. 

And I thought my answer would be much more complicated and interesting but I'm afraid it is simple and uncomplicated.

We can not be complacent. We must be diligent and persistent. We must not waver in our belief that we can make this place better. Every day, voting, marching participating with a loud voice. It won't just happen without a great deal of hard work but we must first start with believing it is even possible. 

The impossible...