Sal's Reflections

There is no way that anything could remove the pain and suffering that occurred at the Boston Marathon. However last night there was joy in a city that had experienced the senseless tragedy that altered the lives of the victims,their loved ones and the entire city. The Sox won the Series at Fenway and the entire city celebrated with unbelievable enthusiasm. As a die hard Cardinal fan I salute the Sox, their fans and hope that their victory brings joy to a region that has suffered immensely.

The old adage “I got up on the wrong side of the bed” needs to be replaced by” I got up on the right side of the bed. “Everyone of us today will have at least one opportunity to be kind. It may be to a colleague, a customer ,a total stranger or someone we know and love. This tiny act of kindness may make an enormous difference in another’s life, and may be the only moment in that person’s life that is significant today. We all wish to do something meaningful and kindness is always significant because it invariably leads to other forms of caring. When we smile, help or show consideration we model what life can be like when “we get up on the right side of the bed,”

The two powerful motivators in life are pain and pleasure.In many cases we avoid new choices because we seek to avoid emotional pain. The path to alternatives which ultimately will lead to something worthwhile has a price tag and this almost always has some degree of difficulty. The loss of weight, learning a new language, seeking a different job, going back to school and many other possibilities are rarely achieved without some degree of pain. When the pain level is raised it may be the motivator to proceed with starting something different. However, the pleasure factor is too often ignored in life. What would it be like to feel better and healthier by losing weight? Would going back to school offer new opportunities? Would learning a new language or a new skill bring feelings of fulfillment? It is always worthwhile to put the cards on the table and to visualize the pain and the pleasure in all possible choices.

One way to give your life additional meaning is to volunteer to help someone or an organization that provides aid to those in need. Over and over in my life I realize that every time I provide help to another I benefit more than they do. It is in giving to others that we become who we were meant to be. There is no one who cannot assist in the process of making the world a better place.The opportunities are available within the reach of each of us. They may be as simple as calling a caregiver to inquire whether there is anything you can do to lighten their burden or offering to give some time working in a soup kitchen or a homeless shelter. It is the month where we celebrate Volunteerism so reflect, decide and give your time and love to others.

The weather has turned cold in Washington and yesterday morning walking past a local park I noticed three obviously homeless people. It was apparent by all of the blankets and large pieces of cardboard that they had been in the park all night. I am not sure I could survive even a few nights of such hardship ,and it made me grateful for my friends who have provided housing and shelter for thousands down on their luck. Sister Mary Scullion and Rob Hess have made an enormous difference in the lives of men, women and children who would be in a car or a park bench this evening. They and many others have refused to accept this national disgrace ,and I am in awe of their commitment and ability to make a real difference.

The movement to control who votes in this country is in my opinion a sacrilege. The Supreme Court decision on the Voting Rights Act has allowed a series of restrictions that are throw backs to the time when certain groups were prevented from exercising their constitutional rights. Instead of trying to rig elections by these draconian measures election officials and all members of the government should seek to widen the opportunities to cast votes. There is scant evidence that voter fraud exists ,and this is not the way to have people elected. This pure and simply is a political strategy to limit who votes so that certain candidates will have an advantage. This must not stand, and must be challenged in the courts as well as by a tidal wave of citizen outrage.

One of the easiest roles in life is to be a critic. Whether it be in a business, as a member of Congress or just in everyday life situations. Pointing out the downside takes little energy, and is not necessarily connected to anything positive. A classic example of being purely a critic is the current barbs shot back and forth on healthcare in this country. There will never be a perfect solution to the challenge of having every American covered with decent and affordable health care. Criticism can be a vital part of solution, but when it is merely negative without alternative input it has little value.

In the course of life there often comes at least one very difficult period. It may be an illness, financial set back or a personal loss.It is not uncommon in the throes of such adversity to feel helpless and sad. It has been my experience that there is always a choice even when things hit bottom. I have witnessed unbelievable courage despite circumstances that would initially make one believe that there were no alternatives. We don’t always get to choose what is just around the corner, but we always at some point get to choose how we react.

One of the reasons that Congress continues to go its’ merry way despite the angry mood o the country is that the pressure for change is not constant. They do not listen to the rank and file, and they live in a bubble where they only speak with other fawns. I would suggest that you send an email everyday to your Congress person so that you keep the pressure on. It can be as simple as” I am tired of partisan politics. Work on creating jobs, better health care and education reforms and stop the petty bickering. Send some form of this everyday and together with their low poll ratings they will be forced to change.

A few days removed from the country’s most recent crisis it appears that the clown show has learned nothing. The bulk of the American citizenry wan them to cooperate and govern, but they continue to snipe at each other, and view any cooperative venture as a sign of weakness. A great deal of the issue is that large amounts of money continue to be spent by vested interests that want stalemate, and do not wish the process to change. It will be difficult to overcome the current malaise, but in every district in this land new moderate candidates must run, and accepting the status quo is not the answer. Most Americans are angry ,but anger by itself is worthless. We need real change, and that must begin by having huge numbers vote in the mid term elections. If we do not mobilize the middle to vote than we will deserve the fractured government that remains.