Monday, January 23, 2017

Protests, inauguration and what are you doing for others!


It’s so easy in the midst of the protests and inaugurational hype to be side tracked and forget what has made the US a great nation. I envy those that have the means and time to participate either in the actual swearing in ceremony or the massive protests speaking out for the rights of those that have been marginalized. I admit that I haven’t seen our county so divided as it is today with the questions about whether our next president can accomplish good for all citizens. I know that it’s so easy to cast stones and scream out instead of seeing what is truly needed is another revolution with this MLK mindset of servant leadership.

After recently watching the movie, Hidden Figures, I was reminded of how extremely racist we were as a nation not that long ago and how we’ve made progress but still have opportunity today to bring together a divided nation. The real question everyone should be asking is what’s ultimately the biggest concern in the country that must be addressed ASAP? Is it building a wall, deporting the dreamers, racism, gender equality, bullying large corporations from moving their operations outside the US or raising the minimum wage to a livable wage? Clearly there are strong views on all sides of these issues.

As the White House has watched the packing of one family as the unpacking of another family has taken place who decides the key issues? What determines whether something is done about racism, wage inequality or lead in the main water supply of too many cities? Sadly, our differences and unwillingness to compromise has caused our politicians and citizens to experience this great divide. We unfortunately end up with all sides screaming at each other instead of working together to accomplish the most good for the majority. Instead too often the power brokers take over and the average person is left behind.

I was so impressed with an article about a senior who was running a local ½ marathon and unfortunately fell close to the finish line. This gentleman was bruised and bloodied yet, two Samaritans came out of the woodwork and helped him cross the finish line. There were pictures in the local press with this bloodied runner searching for his two angels. Why can’t we be more willing to put aside our differences and need to be right and help in a common sense fashion those that are within arms’ length? Why do we continue to allow our differences; socially, religiously, racially and politically to cripple us so we purposely live in a divided world with hatred and bitterness at the forefront instead of love and forgiveness?

The Word’s eyes have all been focused on an outgoing president and his last-minute pardons and the incoming president who has tweeted up a storm. Yet, the eyes of the world should be turned to one another to stop talking about ‘stuff’ and be doing something to make a difference for the senior who has been forgotten, the recently widowed or thousands of children that are in the foster care system. What defines our cultures shouldn’t be the amount of massive wealth we have acquired but what have we done for others without expecting anything in return.

What if we were to actually live out the real golden rule putting others before ourselves instead of believing that those with the most gold are the real rulers?


So, what should be the most persistent and urgent question before the US and the world? How does one person make an impact that will make a difference in the life of one person today!

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