I don’t want to sound like a broken record, or a nag, but
there is so much more we can do to improve our lives than there is to find
fault.
The latter has many devotees. Enemies, mostly. Nags, too!
They seem only interested in spotting weaknesses in others and fault in
thinking. Then they rhapsodize on their findings and dwell on what that all
means. Of course they don’t reflect on what their fixation means about them.
No; not even for a second!
Faults have one and only one value. They let us know that
perfection is absent and may need attention. It does not mean attention need be
applied immediately; only that something could be better and we have work to
do.
Being a critic can become a full time job. But it is an easy
job. If I don’t focus on my own weaknesses it is very easy to snoop into the
lives of others. And so much more fun!
Yet it doesn't really provide a good end, does it? If we
take the above scenario to its lengthy conclusion all we have is a devastating
look at what is wrong in the life of someone else. Or what is wrong with our
company, organization or nation. And who is wrong. And blah, blah, blah. No. it
does not make us feel good or help us build a meaningful future.
To do that we must move several steps ahead. And imagine a
more perfect situation. A more perfect condition. One in which we help each
other solve problems common to us all. Seeking possibilities and future that
will improve on our situation.
This is creative work. It is positive. It requires us to use
multiple centers of intellectual talent and experience. It allows us to combine
strengths to battle weaknesses. It helps reduce or erase the negatives. We are
accomplishing more than what we are failing at!
Now there is something to imagine!
Cultivating vision of the future is not empty headed or
useless work. It is an act of creation. It is fulfilling. It is sensitive to
the needs of others. It employs our humanity to serve real needs and purposes.
It is not a world of big government or all-knowing ideology
or know-it-all jerkdom. No. it is an act of hope and trust in mankind. At some
point it will rely on big government perhaps, like in educational institutions
and research and teaching. It relies on big government for overall defense of
our nation and our people. It relies on the government to maintain order in the
chaos of competing states seeking their own successes.
No. Meeting challenges is a good thing and fun to do.
Benefits accrue to everyone if we do this right. Also, it teaches us that we
can handle complex issues in positive ways. Saying no is easy. Finding fault is
easy.
The true test of our humanity is whether we can lend a hand
to someone else, or if we can share our creative ideas to improve our future
together.
Do we have such faith in each other that we can do this?
If you do it is time to let others know and urge them to get
moving on the solutions to many problems. You might start with your congressman
or senator in Washington DC ! Or the same in your statehouse.
Just saying……
February 20, 2013
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