Dear Secretary Clinton,
Our society has been long been marked by heroes (female or
male) who win a prize, a title, or a competition against another person. In
short, heroes are victorious- as a Google search will inform you- because one
has defeated an “enemy or opponent in a battle, game, or other competition.”
I am writing to thank you for reminding all of us that
victory is not always defeating someone or something. Victory is also
inspiration. It is motivation. It is ‘the after.’
In a nation where our attention is quick to focus and even
quicker to forget, a true mark of victory is sustainability. Sustainability
encompasses inspiration, motivation, and ‘the after.’ It is not a short-lived
four years, but rather a lifetime. It is millions of people coming together to
promote ideals that never cease to exist- love, hope, and humanity. It is the
inspiration to spread love. It is the motivation to provide hope. It is the ability
to see humanity in ‘the after.’ These are the victories for which people will
invariably strive. These are the victories of heroes.
Let’s face it, no good story has the hero winning right away.
There is always a challenge. A struggle. A test of endurance. And so the hero
challenges; the hero struggles; the hero endures.
And so the hero emerges.
Thank you.
Thank you for challenging.
Thank you for struggling.
Thank you for enduring.
