So much time spent, but what was the quality?

Elections in my country has been so frenzied, partly because the prime minister chose to call it early (by two and a half years) There is a large certainty that he shall not be returned to office,and that a mishmash of the opposition shall walk away with the vote including giving us our first female prime minister.
This election has made me very introspective. To me, all that is going on at this time is a reflection of the people. There are few I can speak to who are not deeply emotional about it. So much so, that straight answers about choice of concerns fly out the window and are replaced by cliches and criticisms.
I do not know whether I am just naturally contrary, but I do not see this election in the cut and dried way that is coming from so many.
It is so easy to talk, to complain. In my own relationship, I complained about things that I did not control. I had expectations that I did not manage. With time and maturity, I see now that it is so easy to be like a child, wanting whatever you think will make things better. But what is it that we really want? With our government I would not deny that I too complained about many things, but I now think that it is important to hear how both parties plan to take the nation forward.
I feel very wistful, very moved by my country at this time. We have an opportunity to come into our own and to really focus on nation building where we put the best forward. Yet, I see us getting caught up (as usual) in pettiness, pretensions and scare tactics...which all politicians use and will continue to use.
Today, I had a talk with my ex-husband and I asked him, what do you need right now to be happy into your future? I asked him to take my question seriously.
For possibly the first time, I did not waver in my comments to him about his pattern of blaming others for what he feels he has not been able to accomplish. I have watched him not enjoy himself, always defensive, always anxiety filled. Very little real joy, apart from our years of courting when he would let his guard down from time to time. The marriage was another thing altogether. We both spent a great deal of time focused in the future and the past, and not much in the present.
I have made so many mistakes. But, I have learnt a great deal, and I am so grateful that I have another chance every day that I breath in and out.