Life

Whether things are good or not so good, good ratings from news rarely come from coverage on a couple's first home, puppies, or a local 10 month-old's first steps. What gives good ratings is news material that stirs emotions, feelings, and intrigues the reader or listener to give up their full attention and give them something to talk about at the water cooler at work or in the line at Starbucks. I am one who advocates staying on top of world events, staying up on cutting technology, participating and being active in your neighborhood associations, and being a loyal and active contributor to local, state, and federal politics. I agree and stand beside Thomas Jefferson when he said that "all that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing."

It goes without saying that life is a balancing act where one must choose between a variety of good things. But as the world swirls around us, it is my hope that we can cherish life around us. Most problems will pass and if they don't pass quickly, adjustments will be made, but to the best of my knowledge no problem on this planet has ever meant the end of the world. Shouldn't we be a little bit wiser, if for no other reason to keep stress levels down, and consider the clouds of life to be temporary shade rather than an absence of sunshine. I fear that we are missing too many things. We are missing the couple's first home in the neighborhood and the puppies and the new-born babies. I especially fear that it may be our first home or our toddler or our puppies who are getting swept by the wayside.

While this is not Thanksgiving, we do have so much to be grateful for, even in April. I also stand beside Thomas Jefferson when he commented "and thanks to a benevolent arrangement the greater part of life is sunshine." Problems will pass by you occasionally, but may our happiness take up a permanent residence.