I'm not going to lie. I cried Tuesday night. I sat in a bathroom stall at the newspaper and cried. Then, I wiped my eyes and went back to work. And once the paper was out — after 2 a.m. — I cried some more.  This election cycle was hard. It was filled with so much anger, sadness and overall frustration. But it was also full of hope.  I've been pretty open about the fact that I voted for Hillary Clinton. I didn't vote for her because we both have vaginas, though that might have been the perceived assumption. I voted for her because I supported — and still support — her stance on important policies like healthcare, equal pay, radical acceptance, education, etc. But it was more than that ... I had — and still have — serious issues with Trump's behavior, lack of character and sexist, bigoted history. 

So what now? A few days ago, pulled a card from my deck of #truthbombs. I was looking for a idea or feeling to guide my day. The one I pulled said "The surest way to simplify your life is to focus on what matters most." What great advice to adopted, especially in such a contentious, uncertain times. 

My first step? Took Facebook and Twitter off my phone. Deleted the Facebook bookmark on my Internet browser. Social media, specifically Facebook, has turned into a time suck for me and does nothing to lift my heart. It se ms like an easy step to simplifying my life and cultivating a more joyful existence. 

"The surest way to simplify your life is to focus on what matters most."

Second, I'm looking for places to volunteer. I'm already involved with the Girl Scouts and volunteer regularly at the kids' school, but post-election I feel like I should be doing more. I'm planning on volunteering with The Women's Foundation of Southern Arizona and I want to find a way to work with our Hispanic Community to get people registered to vote. I'm also planning on volunteering at a pregnancy outreach center and a literacy program. Doing things like this can affect change in my own community and that's were we need to and can start

"The surest way to simplify your life is to focus on what matters most."

Lastly, I'm making an effort to live more joyfully. Traveling home from Texas last week, I decided I was going to beam love at everyone. Lots of big, happy smiles. Please and thank you. Noticing those around me and offering help ... and guess what happened? People seemed genuinely touched by my effort. And I I feel better. 

"The surest way to simplify your life is to focus on what matters most."

Love wins. Kindness wins. Compassion wins. I will use my voice to speak love. I will use my actions for good. I will make kindness a priority. And I will let compassion guide me. 

It's easy to think you can't make a difference, that you're one voice doesn't matter. But it does.

"The surest way to simplify your life is to focus on what matters most." 

Focus on what matters most to you and do what you can to make your little part of the world a better place. It will ripple out. It will be felt. Just so your part in your place. And the rest will come.