Sal's Reflections

I get a kick out of the quizzes on Facebook that allow me to find out which character I am on Downton Abbey,or which Super Hero I would be in a movie. It is a real hoot to use my imagination and wonder what it would be like to play one of those roles. However,there is a role and real life character that is singularly mine, and no other can ever fill that role. That role is unique and has never been played before, and will never be played again.It is based solely on my life, and I am the writer,the director-producer and prime actor. This is true of you and everyone else, so instead of our imitating others and imagining that we are someone else it is worthwhile to see the uniqueness of our lives.You and I are one of a kind, and in that sense we are priceless.Our worth can not be measured by comparison to others, and so we have the opportunity to write ,direct and act out our lives with a sense of joy and meaning.
The curtain is going up so step onto the stage and receive the applause that your life deserves.

We learn rather quickly that”Life is not fair.”Some are burdened from the moment of birth with physical,emotional or social limitations, and each day is a monumental struggle . I understand that reality but I do not have to shrug my shoulders and totally accept it. In the course of this day there will be opportunities for a fleeting second, or an hour to make life a little more fair for others. it may be the time spent with a child who has a learning issue, or a parent that no longer remembers your name. Kindness to a stranger or the forgiveness of past hurts may bring respite even if it is but for today. Life will never be totally fair ,but our unwillingness to accept this offers endless opportunities to make it a little better.

Some came in slave ships against their will. Others came because of religious persecution, famine or poverty.They endured unimaginable hardships but lived with a belief in the promise of America.
Now the president, using the design of a thirty year old bigot and a bureaucrat who has changed the intent of the woman in the harbor, wishes to completely change our way of life. You are now to be welcomed only if you fit the mold of money and education. It also helps if you are not brown or black. This is a bridge too far and if we do not stand against this we have completely lost our way. The beautiful woman in the harbor gave them hope and persons like my eleven year old father paid heavy prices to live here. He as a boy faced prejudice and the intolerable working conditions of a burlap factory six days a week; ten hours a day. Despite this, he and so many others built a middle class that was the envy of the rest of the world. We are the beneficiaries of their sacrifices. They truly made America great.

Somewhere along the way I heard the expression “Some people lead quiet lives of desperation. “None of us really know what goes on in the lives of people we know, and there may be someone who really needs a kind word or positive notice. It is important for me to realize that I have the responsibility to care for those within the network of my family and friends. I may not know which person at this moment needs the care, but regular caring contact is the best way to make sure that no matter what the burden they know that they are not alone.

I cannot identify one example where my life has been enhanced by saying no to an opportunity.Certainly some paths are too risky, and it would be irresponsible to take them. However, I believe that life is an adventure and saying yes has brought more joy than saying no .At least once in a while consider going out on a limb and taking a reasonable risk.It is more than a cliché to embrace the reality”that we only go around once.”So on this Tuesday I will scan the fields of choices that are available and give a resounding yes to one that has been calling my name. I hope that some will join me in saying yes to one that has been percolating in their mind and soul.

Our Founding Fathers were far from perfect but the creation of three equal parts of government has served us well. The House has produced a series of bills in keeping with their function but the obstructionist McConnel will not even bring them to the floor for a vote.The will of the people is daily thwarted by the” grim reaper” and the president who appears to be completely unglued. They both show no signs that they believe in the intention of the Founding Fathers and both must go.The most sacred gift we have is the right to vote, and it is now the only option we have to restore sanity and the genuine will of the people.

One of the reasons I wrote “On the Corner” was to portray a deep friendship between two persons that were vastly different,They held diverse views on social issues and politically they were miles apart.Despite this, they held a deep respect, and yes ,even love for each other.We are living in a tumultuous time when it seems that nothing is normal. Every day the polarization seems to deepen, and the news locally and nationally is rarely joyful.These realities test even lifelong friendships, and there is a temptation to sever even long standing bonds. I will not do that ,and though at times I have difficulty understanding the political positions of friends ,I will not cut ties that mean a great deal to me.I cannot apologize for the deep beliefs that drive me to oppose much of what the current administration is doing.However,I must remain open to dialogue openly and honestly with friends who do not share my beliefs.

Every time there is a massacre in America I feel that this may be the tipping point. Unfortunately despite overwhelming support for background checks nothing happens and McConnell and Trump wait out the public outrage. They mumble the same platitudes but reality sets in and they “do nothing”.The individual citizen feels horror but believes that individually they can do nothing to move the government to act.This belief stands in the way of any action that might make the tragedies less likely to occur over and over again. It is worthwhile to remind ourselves that every great social movement began with individuals who were brave enough to put themselves on the line. Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a bus and ordinary citizens one by one stood up and they changed the world. McConnell and Trump are counting on you believing that you as one person can do nothing to make them take real action.Stand up and stay strong in any way you can to shame them into doing the will of the people.

The citizens of Dayton cut right to the chase in confronting the governor. They know it is not video games and mental health issues behind the rash of mass murders. They did not want his platitudes and merely thoughts and prayers. They rejected his typical posture that now is not the time to discuss genuine solutions. They embarrassed him and shouted him down by saying in unison”do something.”I believe that we must follow their example and make it so uncomfortable for McConnell and Trump that they will be forced to act. There is no pat solution but inaction because they are owned by the NRA can no longer be tolerated. Join the citizens of Dayton and make them “do something”.

If we were being ravaged by a physical health plague the Congress and government would be working 24/7 to combat the threat.Literally thousands die every year with a plague that takes innocent lives and our officials go on recess and offer”thoughts and prayers”.There are no “one size fits all” solutions to mass murder, but avoidance at attempting to solve it must not be the response.No one is safe from this madness ,and immediate action is a must. Call your representatives and senators and DEMAND action now.