On a day when it feels like there is very little to celebrate, Ellen DeGeneres reminded people they are more alike than they are different, no matter their politics. During her show's opening monologue on Wednesday, DeGeneres revealed she actually taped the clip on Tuesday afternoon before it was announced Hillary Clinton had lost the presidential election. Even though DeGeneres' words were recorded before the results came in, they are no less powerful than they would be had they been if taped that same day. As always, the talk show host is among the first to give the world some perspective and her monologue is exactly what you need to hear right now.
"People have been very passionate about this race. And I think it's because we all love our country, we just have different ideas about what's best for it, which is part of what makes America great," DeGeneres said. "And I believe we can all come together, because if you take away the labels, you realize we're far more alike than we are different."
Her words may not fully sink in today when there is so much anger and frustration in the air, but they will sink in eventually because they are so very true. It is not differences that define people, it is their commonalities — love, family, and a willingness to reach across party lines to help each other in times of need. Also, Netflix comas, at least according to DeGeneres.
As DeGeneres finished her monologue, she urged people to look to animals as an example of how differences can be overcome. In true Ellen Show fashion, there was a montage of unlikely animal friends ready to roll, and if nothing else has made you smile today, watching a cat hug multiple parakeets will. The world feels more divided than ever before right now, but DeGeneres used her show to bring the world a little closer together, instead of furthering the distance so many are feeling.
"What I'm trying to say is that we have so much in common, our differences actually make us stronger," DeGeneres continued. "We need to have the kindness and respect for one another."
Follow her example: Find things that make you happy, don't give up on people, and try to remember that everyone forgets their towel across the room when they hop in the shower sometimes — no matter which party they identify with. It's going to be OK, guys. Until it is, just keep swimming and maybe make a cute animal playlist on YouTube. It's what DeGeneres would do.
Image: The Ellen Show/YouTube
