As January wears on, I find that my energy for getting things accomplished waxes and wanes. Last week, I had some minor successes at organizing, and following up on emails and whatnot.
The weather has been alternately really nice and just enough not so nice to be frustrating. Trying to get things done requires daily updates on the week’s weather, and having multiple back up plans for when the weather defies anyone’s best attempt at prediction.
I can’t say I had a bad week. I stayed busy, although it wasn’t my best week for showing a lot of progress. I struggled to write my post this week. I struggled with finding the motivation to sit down and write. I found myself more drawn to scrubbing the shower than trying to put into words how I feel inside.
As most of the world knows, on Friday our new President of the United States was sworn into office. Ever since Donald Trump won the election in November, every source of media has been focused on the unrest in our nation. There is more scandal and controversy than I have ever heard or seen.
The daily barrage of dissent and hate, protests and riots, and the complete lack of regard of civility is mentally and physically draining for me; especially so this week. I cannot escape it; it is on the news, on social media, in the paper, and on the internet.
I fully believe in our Constitution, Bill of Rights, and the other documents that our founding fathers drafted to set a firm foundation for our country. The men who collaborated on these documents knew what it was like to be oppressed by a mighty and powerful government.
Those founders of our nation carefully poured over every word and every sentence to create a government that was truly “of the people, by the people, and for the people”, as declared by Abraham Lincoln during the Gettysburg Address.
Since people began settling on this land 525 years ago, change and struggle have been part of the fabric of life. By establishing a government that is a republic, our peoples were unified and given the responsibility to ensure that the government upholds the founding principles.
Somewhere along the way, it seems that the American people have forgotten that you have to take an active part in building the life that you want, and to live what you preach. It goes back to the playground rules of don’t lie, cheat, or steal, be respectful of others’ property, and if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything.
Since when has bully tactics become an acceptable way to deal with differences of opinion? And when exactly did people’s core values veer away from the core values on which this country was built?
If the American people want change, then they need to pursue civil and ethical methods involving collaboration, negotiation, and when necessary, litigation. We need to return to the mindset that hard work produces things of value, and to hold on tenaciously to the things that really matter.
The American people need to turn from the chaos that has infiltrated daily life and start looking inside. Real change starts inside. Once you reconcile with yourself, then you can reconcile with each person in your family. From there it spreads to friends, then to neighbors, then to strangers.
That’s how you build a strong nation. It’s not about money, it’s about relationships. We have to become united again as a nation; and that starts at home. More importantly, it starts with our relationship with God.
I spend a lot of time praying these days. I pray not only for my family and friends, but also for our national and world leaders. I pray for knowledge, wisdom, love, and peace for all people.
As citizens of the United States of America, we have a lot to be proud of. Our heritage is full of amazing stories of triumph in the face of adversity. May we return as a nation to people dedicated to strengthening our republic and loving our neighbor as our self.
May the coming days and weeks bring a sense of calm into your life. May you find resolve in creating more meaningful relationships with those around you. The ripples you make in your own pond will reach others, encouraging them to create their own ripples of change.
Psalms 32:8 The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you”.
