KEEP THE OLD WARM

What a gift, what a privilege!

Before, the King and Queen held all the power. Then, with the dream of democracy, their power was divided amongst the people. Now, we’ve improved it to include everyone; men, women, all races. Progress has been made.

Yet, is there more to do? Is there room for growth? I believe so.

The United States is having a tough go at it with division, fickleness, confusion. I want to help because I care about the strength of our democracy and hate seeing it harmed.

1. Be able to change your mind. If we never change our minds, how can we learn and grow? This also means that at times we will change others minds. It is a give and take. Sometimes we are less right than the other, sometimes, more right. We learn from each other.
2. Listen. Its hard in general, but if we do not give the others our honest ears, why should we expect them to do the same for us? Be the first to listen and others shall follow your lead.
3. 2×2=4. We are right. We are wrong. They are right. They are wrong. In every conversation, these four things are true. None of us is truly right, nor wrong. We are both. Is is our job, and the others job, to acknowledge all four. Two rights, two wrongs. If we can’t, no progress will be made, and we will remain mired in conflict.
4. Who truly cares about us? Is is any of our media? Our “leaders”? Those who talk big and do less than nothing? No, it is our neighbors, our brothers and sisters living life. They care about us, because they are the same as us. We, they, just want democracy to work. So trust them, work with them. Don’t listen to those who only want to confuse and divide you.
5. Respect and forgive the past. Yes, the past was not as correct as today. So? Let it rest. Better yet, find the good in the past! If there is one thing I’ve learned in life, and that I can say to you with certainty, is that the past is full of wisdom and lessons that can help you. It is a good thing, not a bad thing for us now. Let the bad rest, keep the good warm and alive.
6. Why so serious? Every conversation is better had with a light heart. Don’t let our frustration with life leak into partaking in democracy. Don’t let our personal pain taint our efforts to improve the collective. Come to the table with our strongest and kindest spirit. It can get ugly quick, so better to shake things off and work with what we have with a good spirit!
7. Love democracy. Don’t be cynical and hopeless! Yes, things are bad in areas, and seemingly beyond saving in others. But our attitude is important. Do we truly want to see this thing work? Then find love and hope for it and don’t ever let it go.
8. Show the world how it’s done. Are we the greatest country on earth? Who cares! But we want to do our best. We want to show the world we can put our money where our mouth is. So, let’s do it! Let’s show them what we’re made of and lead by example not by ideal empty words and entitlement.
9. Democracy is the hard way. Having others rule for us, is easy. To participate in ruling casually, half heartedly, weakly, is easy. To take part in ruling, and doing it correctly, is hard. Do we want that responsibility? If not, no need to join in, just observe. If so, carry it with honor and privilege. Know you’re treading through path that includes all, and that will always be hard.
10. Do we believe we can do it? If we doubt our ability to see it done, to see it working, we’ve already lost. We first see if we can believe. To truly believe we and our children will see the day where democracy works – full of wisdom, love, community, and continuous victory through hard work. What a beautiful day that will be. So, do we believe?

Every little thing we do for democracy matters. It is not one person. It is not a group of people. It is not better media. It is not a new policy. Democracy is us, our friends, families, neighbors, and the millions we’ve never met and will never will meet, all doing the little things together.

Every great thing, be it improving your life, achieving a goal…..it is all about the little things over time, and with love in your heart.

So, are we ready?