THE ULTIMATE MEASURE OF A MAN IS NOT WHERE HE STANDS IN MOMENTS OF COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE, BUT WHERE HE STANDS IS TIMES OF CHALLENGE AND CONTROVERSY ---Dr. Martin Luther King jr.
I have to admit, that I had planned on writing a snarky comment today about how I got rid of President George Bush in my simplicity post. However, as I drove back from New Jersey today, flipping the radio between stations, I heard a number of things: preparation for tomorrow's inauguration, the "I have a dream" speech, and talk radio hosts encouraging people to do everything in their power to make sure Barrack Obama cannot do anything without a fight. And I thought, you know, I've been guilty of similar thinking in the past. While I did not sport a 1/20/09 bumper sticker on my car, I thought about getting one. I rolled my eyes when I watched the news. I more than once uttered the worst. president. ever. phrase.
And I thought back to his farewell address earlier in the week. While I certainly have not agreed with many (any) of his policies, he was NOT a bad man. I truly believe that he was trying to do a good job, no matter what the end result. And I thought, I don't want to be one of those angry, sarcastic, snarky people. That's certainly not what Martin Luther King jr was talking about. That's certainly not what Barrack Obama needs. And I'm sure that's not the way George W. Bush wants to be remembered. SO instead of "getting rid of George", today I'd like to get rid of the polarization that I have contributed to over the past 8 years, and replace it with a chance of healing our fractured psyche.
Jan 13: Still working on the plastic utensils. Got recycled the soup spoons today and brought 2 more magazines to the gym.
Jan 14: LAST of the utensils. One more baggie of forks. Recycled the aluminum. Also, recycled 2 catalogs from the magazine basket to the gym.
Jan 15: Brought the plastic recycling in from the front hallway. 2 more magazines.
Jan 16: Laundry day! 2 loads, 2 towels into the donation pile.
Jan 17: Down in NJ. Gave Isabella a book from my "already read, but give away" pile.
Jan 18: Guess what? Another book!
Jan 19: In addition to throwing away my old attitude, I also went through my pile of potential continuing ed fliers, narrowed it down to the ones I WOULD definitely be attending, and put the rest in my work bag. One less pile in the house.
Good luck to us all tomorrow and the next 4 years.
3 comments:
Good for you for adjusting your way of thinking! I have little to say about W that isn't negative but I'd like to think, like you, that he's not a bad man. I'm not 100% sure, though (and I'm not being sarcastic there). But regardless, we're entering a new phase and we need less criticism and more positive energy, so I've been trying to give my attitude a little adjustment, too.
I admire your way of thinking. I know several people who could use the same attitude adjustment. I think it's a very positive way to go into the new year, and the new presidency.
I found you from the mr linky at the writers workshop. I liked this post. It is very positive. Few issues and people are completely clearly bad or good. I hope that your open mind and heart lead you to great places.
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