I did something last week that I told myself I would never do. I skipped my weekly post here at Stix-n-stonez.
When I re-started this blog last spring, I decided that nothing would keep me from posting. … And then I had shoulder surgery and that proclamation flew out the window so fast I didn’t even see it leave.
I had my right shoulder replaced last week. I sort of knew what to expect because I had my left shoulder replaced last year. I felt pretty confident that I’d be able to keep my same writing and working schedule, but it has not been the walk in the park I expected. Shoulder replacement is just what it sounds like. The ball and socket of the joint are removed and synthetic pieces are pounded and screwed into place. It’s relatively similar to having a hip or a knee replaced, except you can’t use your shoulder for several weeks to allow the rotator cuff to repair itself after surgery. That means 5 to 6 weeks in a sling with as little movement as possible.
Big deal, I thought. I can type with one hand and when I get tired of doing that, I can dictate. No problem, right?
Wrong.
Things didn’t work out the way I planned. When I had my left shoulder done a year ago, I had quite a bit of help — my mom was still here; a sister stayed with us the first two weeks as I figured out how to handle my daily activities; my oldest son went into respite care for six weeks, so we didn’t have to worry about his care while I was laid up.
This year, we have none of that. My mom is gone; my sister tested positive for COVID and is taking care of her husband and mother-in-law who were hit hard by the coronavirus; and Evan isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
So, it’s been the same, and it’s been different. Pretty much like this year’s election cycle.
I am so ready for the end of all the negative, my-opponent-is-the-Anti-Christ political advertisements that have become the norm in our society before every vote.
But, I saw something on TV a few weeks ago that had me searching the sky for porcine-piloted aircraft. The Democrat and Republican candidates for Utah governor appeared in a series of political ads that gave me some hope for politics.
The ads called for an end to divisiveness and name-calling. Instead, Democrat candidate Chris Peterson and Republican candidate Spencer Cox appear together — about six feet apart — and encourage Utah’s voters to show the country what it’s like to have a civil political campaign. If you’d like to see what true fair play looks like, check these search results out.
The ads went viral. My big question was “Why?” This was a case of two adults with differing viewpoints acting the way adults are supposed to act. Isn’t that how a political campaign should run? Two people want the same job. Each has a vision of what the future should look like. They just see differing ways to get there. They present their plans and voters decide which plan they’d like to follow.
Easy peasy.
But that’s not even close to how opponents react and treat each other these days. So instead of voting for the person and policies we agree with, we are left with deciding which one we dislike more. We don’t want to elect either candidate so we give our votes to the candidate we dislike the least.
I think nearly every political campaign boils down to personal responsibility.
Instead of casting blame, we each need to accept that our own actions and reactions define us individually and as a community.
We all need to take responsibility. Politicians and citizens alike. Don’t forget, the people on the ballot this November are there because we put them there.
There is a tale that I can neither confirm nor deny that in the early 20th century The Times of London asked its readers, “What is wrong with the world?”
The newspaper got many responses, but one stood out. It reportedly came from English poet Gilbert Keith Chesterton, an imposing figure himself. He was 6’4” and weighed more than 300 pounds. He was a poet, a journalist, an essayist and a political and sociological commentator. Many called him “The Apostle of Common Sense.” Chesterton’s response to The Times’ “What is wrong with the world” is priceless. Two simple words: “I am.”
When each of us takes responsibility for the state of the world, we invest ourselves in the outcome. We don’t wait for someone else to make a difference. We jump in and make the change ourselves.
Last week I found a blog post written by a former colleague of mine. In it, she spells out exactly how we can each take action, using the word “CIVIL” as a mnemonic:
C for Compassion
I for Intention
V for Verification
I for Interest
L for Listening
I can’t do her words justice, so go read the post for yourself here.
As Americans and members of a worldwide community, we each have a hope for our futures — collectively and individually. We just disagree on the best way to get there.
We can’t expect the government to legislate decency and respect. That’s something that has to come from each one of us. We have a vested interest in creating a viable future for ourselves and those who come after us. So why don’t we become the change? Why don’t we accept responsibility for our neighborhoods? Why don’t we act instead of complain about how “someone” needs to do “something”? Face it, friends. We are that someone!
It’s time we each (me too) looked to ourselves for the change we crave. If each one of us made one small change in how we treat our fellow humans, this world would be a much more awesome place than it is right now.
So hats off to Spencer Cox and Chris Peterson. Kudos to Mr. Chesterton and his common sense. Give yourself a high-five when you step up and do the right thing, respectfully and compassionately.
What do you think is wrong with the world? Once you come up with an answer or ten, go figure out how to fix it.
Until next week (I really mean next week this time!),
Susie from Stix-n-Stonez