I have been thinking a lot about the lessons to be learnt from the America’s Cup. When it was first announced, I was lukewarm. My husband was beyond excited. He made scrapbooks about the race as a little boy and has been following it all his life.

He is a charter-boat captain, so ever since the boats arrived, he has been coming home all fired up as they’d had a “fly by” from an America’s Cup boat or two. Guests on board were enthralled. I was happy he was happy and went on about my business, which didn’t include thinking about the Cup.

Our son’s friend was employed in the Endeavour Programme and I went on in blissful ignorance of its positive influence on the lives of Bermuda’s schoolchildren.

As the dates came closer on our calendar, I even debated whether I wanted to be in Bermuda for the month of June. All I could think was too much traffic and too many people. I knew Bermuda would get TV coverage, but it never occurred to me I would enjoy the event or get caught up in the excitement.

A week or so before the event started, my husband took me out on the Great Sound. Artemis Racing, Land Rover BAR and Emirates Team New Zealand were out practising. For the first time, I had an inkling of the speeds and the sound of the boats as they whirred past us in a whining pitch of frenetic, organised activity.

Friends then reported how amazing it was to visit the America’s Cup Village. When I finally visited for the finals of the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup, the attention to detail brought me to tears:

• Special transportation for people with mobility issues

• Queuing for ferries and security

• Loads of smiling volunteers with pink “First Mates” T-shirts

• Terrific entertainment, big screens, beanbags to sit on and rest in the shade

Then there was the crowd and the races. I found myself jumping up and down screaming, and didn’t think for one moment that I had lost my mind.

I was always 150 per cent behind Oracle Team USA, as they brought the Cup to Bermuda. But only as the races went on did I truly understand how much they had quietly contributed to Bermuda. How they had implemented their vision to grow future generations of sailors with Bermuda’s school students as the beneficiaries. How they had assisted Bermuda’s Red Bull team and SoftBank Team Japan.

They didn’t win the Cup but they won the hearts, minds and eternal gratitude of many members of our community, including me.

I am so grateful for the way Bermuda has been showcased to the world because of this event. Some Bermudians have said: “There’s nothing in it for me”. I understand because I was in that camp until I let myself see otherwise.

I am grateful to people who encouraged me to take a different point of view.

I am grateful for the contributions of Oracle Team USA to our country and almost feel like the people of Jamestown, Virginia, must have felt when supplies arrived from Bermuda in 1612. We were starving for a new business opportunity — for hope and a new sense of confidence. Hosting these races brought both. Bermuda, Bermudians and our guests were showcased on TV, and in many news articles all around the world.

One of my New Zealand cousins posted on Facebook that New Zealand won the event, but Bermuda showed the world and New Zealand how to host. I am grateful for the endless number of people and groups who organised and played a part to put on and support the success of the event. To everyone, I say thank you.

I am grateful for the team spirit of the New Zealanders. Their clinical, calm, focused unity as a sailing and shore team. Communicating with each other with their mikes turned off, so their opponents had no chance of knowing if they were rattled or not. Each member of the team played a part and responsibilities seemed to be evenly split. Their focused, level harmony, along with the technological innovations, made them unbeatable.

As we move on to the next phase of our lives, and the date for our General Election comes closer, we must choose what we want for ourselves and future generations.

Do we want to learn from the Kiwis and work hard to create more unity, harmony, innovation, focus and teamwork?

To learn from Team Oracle USA by creating more opportunities for our children to increase their skills? To give back more and leave a positive impact in our wake.

To learn from the spirit that went into hosting this event and be more hospitable and courteous to each other and our guests. To join in and participate in creating the type of community we want.

I usually get canvassed by only one political party, so have voted for that party. I am planning on inviting into my home any candidates who present themselves at my door to tell them how important I feel the principles of unity, harmony, co-operation and teamwork are to building a better and brighter future for all members of our society and future generations.

I intend to tell them I want all elected representatives to work together, regardless of the party to whom they belong. They are all paid salaries, which come out of public funds, which are contributed to by all Bermuda’s taxpayers. They are elected to help to provide peace and good governance in the interests of the country, and I expect them to approach and fulfil these responsibilities with unity, harmony, creativity, focus and as a part of a team.

I intend to arrange to meet with my MP after the election and to be courteous but firm in insisting these principles are kept at the forefront, no matter how challenging or difficult.

What do you think?

Monica Jones is a former attorney, and modern-day artist and writer, who has sold her art through private sales from her home studio in Pembroke for the past several years. She started her personal writing in 2010 and has published a newsletter, blog and regular Facebook dialogue, with the goal of creating a more peaceful and humane world