Here we are In this second week of U.S. political conventions. Some say it amounts to a collective national agony we must suffer through every four years. Others label it a celebration of what makes us the United States of America.
Count me in with the latter group, especially this year. History is playing out before us. No matter what the final result, for the first time we'll have either a black man or a woman in one of the top slots in this nation.
As is routine in the good old USA unless, God forbid, we witness another "first," all this will proceed with lots of noise, but no bloodshed. Nobody will mysteriously disappear.
No matter how it comes out, some of us will grit our teeth and get on with life. Others will celebrate and get on with life. It's the American way … and it is good.
Despite (or maybe because of) the headlines and massive TV coverage, the process often feels disconnected from real life. We all know, to quote a well-worn cliche, "that's where the rubber meets the road." And that's where we live … in homes, in communities that make up the states, which together make up the Nation.
The election will be resolved, the inauguration pomp and ceremony will pass. Then what? Will you and I stand up for what's right and good where we are? Or will we focus on what bothers us and lapse into apathy, meanwhile muttering, "Oh, well, what can you do? We're all victims of the system!"
Not true. Each one of us can do something in the place where we are. No matter where we live, no matter our age, no matter our education, our income or occupation, that's where we start, and we lace it up with prayer.
Each of us can vote and support elected officials and volunteers who are doing a good job. Those individuals mostly hear from persons with complaints. When we speak enouragement and thanks, our simple words will refresh tired spirits.
Each of us can volunteer, maybe for some job that seems insignificent. Later, for one reason or another, we may wonder why we opened our mouths. At that point we can grumble and give grudging duty. Or we can remind ourselves that each little bit counts toward the whole and cheerfully go forth.
Each of us can write letters … to school board and local council members, to public officals, to our senators and representatives, our Governor, our President.
Maybe you think one letter doesn't make a difference. Wrong. Years ago I heard a speaker from a company that makes products we all use every day. He detailed how his company evaluates letters and E-mails they receive, whether kudos or complaints. I've never forgotten the gist of what he said: "We're not much impressed by petitions, even when they have hundreds of signers. We discount form letters all repeating the same words, too. They may be sent by different individuals, but we toss them on the pile marked 'pressure group.'
"But when we get one–one–letter, maybe handwritten, maybe with mispellings, we know it comes straight from one individual who speaks out of personal experience or strong conviction. Those we designate 'high priority,' especially with letters. Our research indicates every letter represents anywhere from fifty to a couple of hundred individuals who didn't bother to take time and write. Such letters get a reading from company executives and are passed on to other departments. We think these writers help us keep a finger on the pulse of consumers."
Come to think of it, we're all "consumers" and the same logic applies to everything from TV programming to the local school board. Just to be clear, I'm no shining example of perfection here. Too often I don't commend what I applaud. I don't write enough letters and try to avoid often-boring council meetings of one kind or another. Maybe you plead guilty, too.
So let's take this time of national fervor as inspiration and make some changes. Each one of us can make a difference in our homes, in our churches, our communities, our Nation.
The place to start is with the basics … with what we look for and what we say to each other and to our children, our friends, our neighbors. One well-educated, well-traveled writer expressed it up this way:
"Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious–the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse."
–Philippians 4:8, "The Message"
Come to think of it, doesn't that describe the kind of person we'd like to have living next to us? Imagine kids growing up in families who live those principles, then going out as adults ready to support the good stuff.
You and I can't change the world, but we can change ourselves. We can change the tone of conversations within our own homes. We can be the ones who speak a good word at meetings and at our own workplaces, at checkout counters and school board meetings and in our churches. Before and during whatever we do, we pray.
It's our choice whether we will or not. Because this is the United States and each one of us gets to choose what we stand for. It's the American way … and it is good.
Here's to giving thanks for what we so often take for granted. Let's celebrate it!
Lenore
Your comments welcomed.