Yesterday concluded the Kansas Primary Election, and the (unofficial) results are in! Congratulations to all the new nominees and condolences to the candidates who were unsuccessful - but regardless of outcome, thank you for giving voters a choice. It takes guts to put your name on the ballot! While the wins and losses are still fresh, it's important that we all - candidates and Kansans alike - remember to win and lose with grace.

As we look toward the next election in November, the advice Governor Cox shared will need to be kept front of mind - so here's what each of us can do, in his words:

1) Turn off and tune out "conflict entrepreneurs" on cable news and social media. Consuming more headlines isn't making us smarter, it's stressing us out.

2) We can spend real time, preferably offline, with people who are different than us. It's harder to hate up close.

3) We can serve others. There is nothing better for the soul or society than giving back.

4) We can work to work to develop the classical political values of humility, patience, and moderation - without which, John Adams said, we become ravenous beasts of prey.

It's worth listening to the full Ted Talk, but if we only keep these 4 practices we should be off to a good start.

Mitch Rucker

General Consultant