Let's Make A Difference

In the words of Helen Keller, "Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence."  On this day before the inaguration of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, are you optimistic?  Do you have hope and confidence?

Yes, there has been a certain patriotic theme here the past few days, and it might continue on for a bit, because I think it is important.  I hear from two separate groups.  One thinks a sort of magic will happen tomorrow and all kinds of marvelous things will happen. There is also a "woe is me" group who are filled with dread about our country's future.

Actor Will Smith has said "I wake up every morning believing today is going to be better than yesterday." I'm with him. I think that is the most productive way to live.

Since I seem to be quoting a lot of people this week, here is another, from the 26th president of the United States. "Patriotism means to stand by the country. It does not mean to stand by the president or any other public official, save exactly to the degree in which he himself stands by the country." Wise words, and an important distinction. President Theodore Roosevelt went on to say "It is patriotic to support him insofar as he efficiently serves the country. It is unpatriotic not to oppose him to the exact extent that by inefficiency or otherwise he fails in his duty to stand by the country.  In either event, it is unpatriotic not to tell the truth, whether about the president or anyone else."

Thankfully there is a plan to deal with COVID-19 and in addition, there will be a memorial this afternoon for all who have died from it. At 5:30pm EST Americans across the country are invited to come together for a national moment of unity and remembrance.  In Washington, DC, President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris will host a ceremony featuring the first-ever lighting of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool to honor and remember those who have died. Church bells will be rung from coast to coast and we are all encouraged to join in lighting a candle in our windows for this nationwide moment of remembrance. 

Let us join in the remembrance observance today.  Let us go forth with hope and confidence. Let us be patriotic in the true sense, standing by our country. Let us be part of the solution. Let's make a difference!