Nothing ... And Everything

Nothing has changed …

Politics as usual with our collective futures …  

Grandstanding and last-minute deals because power is more important than results.  Nothing has been actually fixed.  Our politicians are not accountable because we do not hold them accountable.  We choose partisan politics over the common good. 

Families in Connecticut and elsewhere still grieve …  

Our culture, which promotes individual freedoms over individual safety and which maintains a serious disregard for mental health, has a poor track record in dealing with events such as Sandy Hook. 

Speaking of Short-Attention Disorder …

The latest celebrity watch issue is about some young woman who got married and is apparently now ending the marriage inside a month.   This is headline news?

Everything has changed …

Alternatives are appearing …

An increasing number of people appear fed up with our current political structure.   Those who support alternatives, such as the Tea Party, are demanding change.  I don’t think that is the direction our change needs to follow, but I agree that our system is broken … and I am not alone.

People are Less Willing …

Events of mass violence have always been a part of American culture and history, sometimes perpetrated by the very institutions we support because they are supposed to reduce the violence.    I am getting the idea that people are less willing to let the emotions subside and continue with their daily lives until the next event.

Priorities are Shifting …

At least the political news, as empty as it often is, seems to finally be outweighing the celebrity watch stuff.  Are we ready to let go of our fascination with entertainers and performers (including athletes, fashionistas, and gurus of all stripes) to a reasonable level?

Just because things are the way they are does not mean they have to be the way they are

.. said by many using these or different words over the years.  I think this thought is expressed best by Simon Sinek in his TEDTalk.   Take a few minutes today and enjoy some challenging thinking.  Spend the rest of the first day of your brand new year thinking about leadership, inspiration, and real change.

Note:  No statistics were harmed in the creation of this post.  All thoughts are mine alone and not supported by any type of research or study.  Just “gut” stuff.

Happy New Year 2013 from at least one person who is planning to make some changes in the Heartland ….

John

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