During the last few days before the election it was interesting to watch people on both sides of the fence melt down on social media sites. But now that the election is over, it's caused me to think more and more about the relationship between politics and culture. Whether you're thrilled or frustrated with President Obama's re-election, it's worth remembering Scottish politician Andrew Fletcher's quote: "Let me write the songs of a nation: I don't care who writes its laws."
Wherever you fall on the political spectrum, if you're an artist, filmmaker, pastor, writer, teacher, business person, leader -- whatever, I would encourage you to keep moving forward. Create. Spark visions. Inspire people. Speak the truth. The influence of culture is far more significant and life-changing than whoever sits in the White House.
Politics are important, no question. The direction of the country, the national debt, and national security are all critical issues. But as Confucius said: "To put the world right in order, we must first put the nation in order; to put the nation in order, we must first put the family in order; to put the family in order, we must first cultivate our personal life; we must first set our hearts right."
Start where you are, and never stop making change happen. As R.R. Reno said in the magazine First Things: "At the end of the day, elections don't shape or influence our cultural imaginations. It's worth remembering that the future of America will turn on culture, not politics: the poetry of our moral and social imaginations, not punditry. So by all means vote, but don't neglect the real and deeper sources of public life."
The election is over. Now get back out there in the fray and start creating....