The world lost a voice over the weekend, a voice of wisdom and reason that filled an important hole in the messy world of modern politics: John McCain.

Whatever your beliefs, it would be hard to disagree with the fact that we are becoming more and more divided as a nation and it is hard to find leaders who do not rejoice or increase this divide. Late senator John McCain did just that.

He was respectful and considerate of those with differing beliefs without compromising his own morals. In his final letter, McCain wrote, “We weaken our greatness when we confuse our patriotism with tribal rivalries that have sown resentment and hatred and violence in all the corners of the globe.” An advocate against the ever-growing partisan-fanatics, McCain lived by these ideals he left us with, and we owe it to him to take a second out of our busy lives and consider his words.

Do we contribute to the hold partisanship continues to have on people around the world? When we hear a supporter of Donald Trump or of Hillary Clinton or any other politician today, do we immediately make unrightful judgements rather than contribute to a healthy debate over policies or ideas? We need to start holding ourselves, and each other, accountable, especially now that there is one less person in the limelight reminding us to leave our bias at the door.

The best way to honor McCain and everything he stood for is to always be cognizant of how we treat other people, especially those who might have differing beliefs than ours. The time to take political party affiliation over personal traits and goals and ideals is over: live on in McCain’s memory by focusing on what truly matters, Be proud of America and hopeful for what it could be, even if you think the world is a mess right now. It is up to us to ensure America’s future; we are a little more on our own than we were last Friday.

Keep hope, be strong in your beliefs and do not be afraid to stand united. As he wrote, “We weaken (our greatness) when we hide behind walls, rather than tear them down, when we doubt the power of our ideals, rather than trust them to be the great force for change they have always been.” John McCain. August 29, 1936- August 25, 2018. You will be missed.