Cast your vote, but it won’t change tomorrow

#vote2017

The snap General election, geared at making our nation more stable and stronger for the future, is here.  For the third time in as many years, the UK sits on the brink, but will tomorrow bring change?

There are certain experiences in life that bring out the best and worst in people. Parenthood, terrorist attacks and general elections are just a few examples that spring to mind.

The best and the worst

On any given day, I can be struck with pride at my ten-year-olds thoughtful insight into his brother’s needs and love taking him aside to congratulate him for his kindness and care (with just a hint of parental smugness). Moments later, I’ve changed into a screaming parent as he hasn’t put on his shoes (after being asked approximately a million times – no exaggeration).

The best and the worst.

Last month, we heard stories of heroism as a homeless man stepped up and helped victims, taxi drivers gave free lifts and businesses became unexpected safe havens. Visions of destruction filled our TVs of lives changed forever, as we witnessed a heartless attack on our children in Manchester.

The best and worst.

On London Bridge, the lifelong dedication to help others came to an end as a nurse,Kirsty Boden, lost her life running to the aid of the wounded. The swift and professional response of the emergency services helped those injured and halted the attack of more innocent victims. Yet, across our social media and on street corners, this courage was tainted with hatred and vitriol against fellow country men and women of a different faith.

The best and the worst.

In election season, our memory is triggered once again on the determination and dedication of Jo Cox. An MP who lost her life trying to bring change for the better. Next weekend, people from all around the country will honour her memory and values with the Great Get Together. It’s aim – to inspire communities to come together and show that each violent attempt to divide us will fail. Yet this week, the vile attacks against a public servant like Diane Abbott has stained our national press.

The best and the worst.

In the past couple of months, we have heard personal attacks against all party leaders. Slurs on reputation have occurred daily, as we’ve been called to make our choice for the sake of our nation’s future. Time and again we have been urged to vote ‘against’ a party rather than ‘for’ our values.

It’s Election Day, yet tomorrow will not change.

Tomorrow, I will wake to care for my kids. I’ll still get up to give a tub full of medications to my son via his PEG tube. It’s Friday, so I will do extra physiotherapy before taking him late to school. I’ll continue to fight for the services and therapies he needs. I’ll hoist him, care for him, cherish him and hopefully, laugh with him.

Then I’ll meet friends for lunch, maybe they voted the same as me, maybe they didn’t. Either way, we will talk and share our lives. Focusing on our similarities rather than our differences.

Every day I get to choose what scent is stronger.

Hope or fear.

Unity or division.

Love or hatred.

Highlighting problems or solving them.

The best or the worst.

Tomorrow, a myriad of practitioners across our nation, will head to work determined to make the lives of the most vulnerable in our society that little bit better. It will be the same as it is today and the same as it was yesterday.

Tomorrow will not change.

Professionals, practitioners and parents across our country will continue to go the extra mile to serve the needs of families of our nation, no matter who occupies No.10 Downing Street.

Each day, we are given the chance to be the best or worst version of ourselves.

And tomorrow will be no different.

What will you do tomorrow, to bring out the best in you and others?

Blog post originally posted for Simple Stuff Works