Once upon a time, there was no social media or a twenty-four-hour news cycle. Major events happened, and we saw them on the six o’clock news and the paper the next day. Technology occurred, and we gained access to stories moments after they happened. With even more advances we could start posting our opinions about these stories and our feelings became stronger with each post. We stopped listening to the other side at all and even found news sites that fit our position. Yesterday, we again had a big event that caused massive trauma. Many of us are now besides ourselves and want justice. We want change. When it happened last time, the time before that, the one before that, and on and on, we wanted change. Then, this weird thing happens, we forget. Okay, maybe forget is a strong word, but it isn’t at the head of the conversation. Issues like this cannot be forgotten if you really want to change them. When you start working out, you must continue even after the thought of it being a clever idea has worn off. The diet you started only works if you continue to do it. The point is, if we want to effect change the fight for that change must be continuous even when the story is only still emotional for the families involved.
Dammit, I wasn’t going there tonight. The positive stuff going on is still out there. It may be frivolous, but it is what keeps us from going insane with the constant barrage of negativity that sells ads on the TV and talk radio, sorry Dr. Anderson. This weekend the great American race happens in Daytona. There are some outstanding storylines to be followed. Golf is having a mini-major out in Riviera, F1 is doing introductions of their new masterpieces for the upcoming season, and Roger Federer is one win away from being the eldest number 1 in men’s professional tennis since Andre Agassi did it awhile back. I recently just finished reading the book The Alchemist, a fable that chronicled a young man’s desire to find his personal treasure. He chased it far away from his homeland and only after a great journey did he find it again once he returned. Through the journey he had some great times and fought through some great tribulations. He never lost sight of his goal and in the end found his happiness.
There is some serious stuff happening in our state, the nation, and around the world. How do you make changes and not get lost? Take care of yourself, your family, and your friends. Be the light when it is dark. Be a friend. Listen more than you spout and don’t forget that we are all allowed to our opinion. We used to disagree and go have a beer. Now, we can’t even be seen with an opposing figure or our position may be compromised. Good lord, we all need to get over ourselves. When we have our politicians trying to worry about what time we are going to use as the pressing issue for the session what chance do we have that they will do something real important; like make sure our infrastructure is secure. Be important to your family, friends, and community. Set the example that is worthy of being followed and for goodness sake; stop yelling. Let’s talk to each other and realize that there is more than one way to cook a steak.
I am looking forward to this weekend. Visiting some old friends’ tomorrow night, hanging with the family on their return Saturday night, and Supercross rewind on Sunday night. The days are mine to fill with the stories I will share each evening. What stories will you be able to share during your evenings?
Photo by Cristy Zinn on Unsplash
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash
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