Sal's Reflections

About ten years ago I gave a talk to a Fortune Thousand company that focused on “total access for Women. “Being a male the words were not in any shape or form “Male bashing.” My intent was to convey the reality that if an organization closed the door to women it would have a negative impact on someone they loved. Not fostering parity of opportunity to my daughter impacts everyone’s daughter. Breaking the glass ceilings that still exist is not a penalty for men, but rather the opportunity to use the skills and talents of all.We have come a long way, but that is no excuse to rest until there is full parity of opportunity in every organization.

The talk about guns between gun owners and others is often merely prepared speech on both sides. Those for no change in the law site the woman who was murdered or raped, and state if she had a gun she would have been spared. The other side quotes the statistics about the chances of being harmed by having a gun in your home. This is not a dialogue, and will not lead to less violence. Both sides need to respect the outcome desired which is less violence not winning a debate. Together there will be rational agreements that will be part of the solution.

I saw a very disturbing documentary about the plight of many women in the armed forces.”The Invisible War” portrays the number of women that have suffered rape by their comrades without any recourse or justice. Their cases are treated by and large as part of the culture where ” boys will be boys”These are our sisters,mother,wives and friends who with great patriotism have made enormous sacrifices to serve our country. If you feel as passionately as I do about this issue, please watch the film. After you witness these gross miscarriages of justice please write to the president and members of the congress to demand that a real judicial system exist for those who have been harmed.

It is easy to hate someone, and takes little thought and energy.Venom and bile toward a person or a group takes very little special thought or planning. It can spring from the gastric juices and needs little rationale or justification. On the other hand love takes tremendous energy,planning dedication and a willingness to see the whole picture. Love takes into consideration human frailty and raises the other to a postion of worth and value. Love requires commitment, and a willingness to forgive and be forgiven. Choose hate if you want an easy road, but know that though it will be tough the world will be different if you allow yourself to take the wondrous leap of love.

The Government ultimately has to argue, disagree and ultimately come to decisions which benefit the American people. Stalemates by all parties involved do not serve the best interests of the people. In our private lives we do not get to walk away from difficult issues. We discuss, disagree and ultimately we come to conclusions which have some benefit. There is no issue that cannot be met by respect and leadership. We must move beyond posturing and tactics that halt progress. Ordinary people’s lives are negatively effected by our elected officials behaving like spoiled children instead of responsible adults.

It is easier to find fault with others than finding common ground. If I can find all of the reasons why the other person is wrong about any issue, then I need not change any of my beliefs. Villains are a convenience that allows me to feel righteous ,and certain about my values and opinions. However. villains often are a way for me to avoid growth ,and the possibility that some of what they believe may be valid and worth examining. Before I shut my mind to others, it would be worthwhile to open my eyes and ears to the possibility that the real Villain is a closed heart.

The real meaning of the Christian message can be blurred by all sorts of human acts of weakness ,but the beauty of the real message is not about pomp and circumstance. It is found in the Beatitudes which are not confined to any religion or church. They are the cornerstones of beauty that can transform the world. They are the kernels of beauty and truth that elevate our lives into a community that believes in justice, love and witness. Whenever I lose the beauty of what the purity of belief can mean, I am always drawn to the profound messages that are tireless.

We have all wondered about whether we have good luck or bad luck. In every life there are many moments where the hill has been steep, and challenges were in abundance. I would offer that good luck often comes when opportunity and perspiration meet. Whether it be writing a novel, trying to beat a specific time in a marathon, or any other challenge ,it is rare to be successful in the first attempt. It takes dogged belief in yourself despite the voices that say “give it up”. It is not in the falling that we are defined, but the willingness to get up, perspire and try again and again.

Great movements and social changes often begin with what seems insignificant in the beginning. A woman refuses to sit in the back of a bus or a group of students protests against an unjust war. Over and over in the history of humankind ordinary people have altered life by standing up for principles. Today someone, or a small group will face monumental odds in societal challenges that seem herculean in their complexity. The power of the status quo will most probably be against them ,and initially their involvement may seem naïve and futile. However, it is this witness or protest in the wilderness that may bring sanity and hope to millions.

Can you imagine the conversation these two American Giants would have about the stalemate that exists in our government? Neither was perfect, but love of country enabled them against overwhelming odds to lead the country to being one of the brightest lights in the history of humankind. I am sure they would not be shocked at the petty bickering, but at the end of the day I am sure they would be appalled at the inability of our government to govern. It may be comforting for those we elected to enjoy the righteousness of their finger pointing, but it is history that will disdain the pain they now create for ordinary citizens.