This is the article I was planning on publishing if Hillary had won. The last paragraph applies equally to Trump. To paraphrase Barack Obama, American citizens and indeed the world now have a stake in rooting for Donald Trump's success, regardless of who they supported on the campaign trail. May his time in office be a time of prosperity and well being; of unity and cooperation; of justice and human rights for all; of physical and spiritual peace.
Those infinite points of light you're seeing are brilliant reflections from the highest and thickest glass ceiling that was just shattered by Hillary Clinton.
Following the nastiest presidential campaign in modern times, we're soon about to call POTUS "Madam President", instead of "Mr. President" as was the case the 43 previous times. And that's refreshing on a whole number of levels.
During the more than quarter century that I've been vetting and recommending candidates for leadership roles in global companies, and advocating for equal opportunity and diversity, I've learned actions speak louder than words; listening is not only an art, but a powerful tool for effective management; symbolism matters; diverse points of view should be promoted; and a strong team trumps (pardon the pun) an individual all the time.
And with president-elect Clinton, all those boxes are checked.
Hillary Rodham Clinton was born in a middle-class Chicago suburb in 1947 and, as per her 2003 autobiography, she had a happy childhood. Her father was a Republican and she became a Young Republican in her teen years. But she got really active in politics because of her Democratic mother.
Her mother, Dorothy Rodham, had a very different childhood and inspired Hillary to help the poor and downtrodden and try to right the wrongs in society.
At Yale Law School, she completed her transformation from Republican to a progressive Democrat and met Bill Clinton. They married in 1975, and she followed him to Arkansas, where he was elected governor in 1978.
The rest, as they say, is history. And since that time, a multi-million-dollar cottage industry devoted to attacking the Clintons, trying to unearth scandal has been run by opponents. The list of accusations is lengthy from the Whitewater real estate deal to linking the Clinton Foundation charity to nefarious deals to Benghazi and on to the famous private e-mail server.
Being under the microscope that long and that intensely indicates Hillary is either made out of teflon, or she's one determined person who finds solutions in the face of adversity.
As Michelle Obama said at the Democratic National Convention this past summer: "There were plenty of moments when Hillary could have decided that this work was too hard, that the price of public service was too high, that she was tired of being picked apart for how she looks or how she talks or even how she laughs. But here's the thing: What I admire most about Hillary is that she never buckles under pressure. She never takes the easy way out. And Hillary Clinton has never quit on anything in her life."
My experience in searching and finding leadership tells me she'll impress many once she moves back into the White House; this time as Commander-and-Chief. Here's just a few reasons why:
Experience
Hillary Clinton has more than 30 years' experience in public service as wife of a governor and president, member of the U.S. Senate and Secretary of State.
She listens
The art of listening is essential for a President. Listening often leads to the best-possible action a leader can take.
As Margaret Thatcher once said: "If you want something said, ask a man; if you want something done, ask a woman."
Collaborator
If you look at Ms Clinton's record, her ability to listen and find even slivers of common ground have led to unusual alliances with Republicans like Bill Frist, Sam Brownback, Elizabeth Dole, Rick Santorum and other conservatives.
With the bipartisan gridlock in Washington now entrenched, this skill will test the new President like never before. But her record shows she can achieve the unexpected. As South Carolina Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said way back in 2006: "Some say she cannot be elected President. I say those who underestimate Hillary Clinton do so at their own peril."
Symbolism matters
Just as Barack Obama proved any American man, regardless of skin color, could be elected president, Hillary Clinton has proven any American person, regardless of gender, can occupy the Oval Office.
As Secretary of State, she visited 112 countries, highlighting women's rights and the power of diplomacy. As President, she will take it to the next level and can inspire young people - both men and women - that with diversity comes strength and unity.
Back in 1992 when Bill Clinton was elected president, he pointed to his wife's abilities and joked that he offered "two presidents for the price of one." That observation was prescient and only time will tell how effective her official presidency will be.
American citizens and indeed the world now have a stake in rooting for Hillary Clinton's success, regardless of who they supported on the campaign trail. May her time in office be a time of positive excitement and wonder; of prosperity and well being; of unity and cooperation; of justice and human rights for all; of physical and spiritual peace.