DEAR HARRIETTE: I recently reconnected with my college boyfriend because he was working on the campaign of Hillary Clinton. He was very excited about his job and eager to start building his career once the election was over. He, and many others, seemed certain that his candidate would win, and that it would be historic. We talked for months about all of the work that he felt was being done, especially by him, to try to support the candidate. It seemed great for him.
And then the results came in, and Clinton did not win. I wasn't sure what to say to him right away. We all were stunned by the election results, Democrats and Republicans alike. I called him the next day to check in, and he was kind of bewildered. I feel like I need to say or do something to console him and help him snap out of it. He said he has only a short time left to finish up his responsibilities, and then the job is finished.
How can I support him during this period of transition? He is not my boyfriend, but I care a lot about him, and I know he has to figure out how to move on. -- The Jig Is Up, New Orleans
DEAR THE JIG IS UP: Start by being a great listener. You can also remind him of the democratic process. What is beautiful about it is that no matter what the contest may have been like, we as Americans agree that we will move peacefully into the next administration and support them.
For your friend, that needs to include considering his future. He should evaluate his views on the election cycle and consider where he might be best used to further his political views and interests. In the world of politics, there are so many options, but all are based on what you believe. He must be able to articulate that clearly. From there he should start looking for a job -- with a smile on his face because he knows what he wants to do.