The last two weekends I was blessed to spend time with my 6 grandchildren and their parents. The mosaic of their personalities, energy, enthusiasm, gifts and yes their liabilities struck me. At the same time, it was exciting, stimulating and TIRING to be with them. That experience brings me to the focus of my blog today. All of us whether we have children or grandchildren of your own I believe that societies children and what happens to all of them is everyone’s responsibility. What you and I do for children, whether our time to read them a story, our talents to coach a team, to buy girl scout cookies or our treasure to pay the taxes that support their education will have profound effect on our community, our state, our nation and yes, even the world. Someone paid the price for you and I and those children who came before us. The commitment to developing the potential in every child is what made our country great. The “Greatest Generation” knew that. Both they and we benefited from the nation’s commitment to the GI Bill which provided education for so many who would have never afforded it. It is said that without that commitment to educating the young men and women of the late 40’s and 50’s America would have never realized our collective potential.
Unfortunately, today that same commitment doesn’t seem to exist and while my kids and grandkids don’t have to worry so much, there are thousands of children who not only are short changed by poor schooling, but when they do go to school they do so hungry too. Along with the elderly, the children of the U.S. are grossly underserved by our health care system. What does this all mean? I believe that if we compromise the education, nutrition, health and safety of our children, we stand to put our way of life, our quality of life and our nation at risk. Consider the potential greatness and goodness that exists in children and ask yourself if you can live with the consequence of us all missing out and their contribution to our future? Yes I know some money is not spent wisely, some is wasted, just like you and I do with our own money. However, the risk of not contributing our time, talent and treasure for the future through all of our children will be a decision that will haunt us ALL, our communities, our state and our nation, tomorrow and for years to come.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Asking the Wrong Question
No matter where or what you read, the newspaper, Facebook, or your alumni news, you are almost certain to find that somebody you know has gone further, achieved more, gone faster toward their dream than you have. The first thought that too often occurs is, “he or she will succeed instead of me.”
Why not take the high road and tell ourselves “that proves that it CAN be done.” When we take that low road of negative thinking we confirm what many people think; competition is just another spiritual drug. If you focus on competition this way it becomes poisonous. We impede our own path to success and achievement as we ogle at the accomplishments of others as we take our eye off the prize we seek. We ask the wrong questions that give use answers we don’t want or really don’t need. Instead of asking yourself, why bother? Or what’s the use? Or why even try? You might want to consider another view such as: did I make progress on my goals today? Did I meet my deadline with room to spare? Did I talk to people who will help me grow today? Did I spend time with family? Instead of drinking the “cool aide of negativity,” pour a glass of the “nectar of the admonition of success.” Too many of us read too many journals or websites that expose our envy and all that does is encourage us to wallow in self doubt or even pity, which along with envy is not at all healthy. Use competition to jettison you and your goals in a positive and healthy way. Compete with yourself, not the world, focus on what you can do and not what others are doing. Spend your precious energy in positive fulfilling ways, not in self destructive extrinsic reality. Find your own voice, listen to it, and define your success and future on your terms, not terms of someone else’s reality.
Why not take the high road and tell ourselves “that proves that it CAN be done.” When we take that low road of negative thinking we confirm what many people think; competition is just another spiritual drug. If you focus on competition this way it becomes poisonous. We impede our own path to success and achievement as we ogle at the accomplishments of others as we take our eye off the prize we seek. We ask the wrong questions that give use answers we don’t want or really don’t need. Instead of asking yourself, why bother? Or what’s the use? Or why even try? You might want to consider another view such as: did I make progress on my goals today? Did I meet my deadline with room to spare? Did I talk to people who will help me grow today? Did I spend time with family? Instead of drinking the “cool aide of negativity,” pour a glass of the “nectar of the admonition of success.” Too many of us read too many journals or websites that expose our envy and all that does is encourage us to wallow in self doubt or even pity, which along with envy is not at all healthy. Use competition to jettison you and your goals in a positive and healthy way. Compete with yourself, not the world, focus on what you can do and not what others are doing. Spend your precious energy in positive fulfilling ways, not in self destructive extrinsic reality. Find your own voice, listen to it, and define your success and future on your terms, not terms of someone else’s reality.
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