Last week, after the election, I invited participants in my workshops to write through their strongest emotions during this time. Today, each writer read their responses aloud.

Ache and raw despair.

Honesty, strength and commitment to love.

And the question threading through all: How far would I go to stand up for what I believe?

I walked home in tears—not tears of sadness and trepidation, but tears of thankfulness. Thankfulness in knowing there are so many, many extraordinary people in this world around us.