Sal's Reflections

I was blessed to have a wonderful Mother and my wife has been a marvelous Mother to our children so it is fitting to honor them on Mother’s day. However it dawns on me that there are countless women who will not be honored on this Sunday. They have spent a great deal of their lives nurturing others but because they do not have children they often go unnoticed. My sister was a perfect example of one who spent her entire life loving and caring for children. She like many did not have biological children but the impact she had on so many was significant. On Sunday I will toast those Mothers that have touched my lives, but I will also remember all of the women who nurture and often go unnoticed.

I am truly amazed at the number of conspiracy theories that are daily espoused at all levels of the political spectrum. In all my years as a business consultant I never found that two executives could keep a secret for more than two hours, and so I find the spread of all these so called conspiracies as sheer nonsense. It would require literally thousands of people to act as Trappist monks for decades for these so called facts to have any validity. I suggest that the energy being spent in exploring these fables be better spent in dialogue with others to improve our world.

I am keenly aware that when I am passionate about any issue it is difficult to admit that there is another side to the story. Whether it be background checks or the Palestinian quest for a state; it behooves me to realize that my position is not the only passionate held view. Dialogue ends when one believes that they have the total possession of truth. There are always facts that need to be explored on the other side of the fence.

There are moments when it feels like everything in our life is locked in and new patterns are not possible. Certainly we are to some degree creatures of habit ,but there are always choices that are possible. New information always brings the opportunity to make different choices and alter even long standing patterns and habits. The past is never an absolute predictor of the future. We are not locked into the same old, same old unless we do not pause and examine alternate modes of behavior. Today there are choices in front of us that can bring new modes that offer choices to change. Stop and smell the roses and look at all the possibles.

Yesterday at my niece’s wedding I had so many wonderful moments with relatives and friends. It had been a while since I had the pleasure of their company and all of the wonderful connections were again renewed.Stories of the past and current accounts were shared and reinforced the value of all those crossroad people who enter our lives.It was a day of celebration with the realization that is is in and through others that our lives have such relevance and value.

Today my wonderful niece Susan will be married to James in York,Maine.The families will come from near and far to join in celebration of this wonderful event.We will all experience the wonder that two eople will publicly proclaim before their community that they love each other with such depth that they are willing to commit themselves to each other. It is a story that has been happening all over the world since recorded history began and an occasion when all who are present will feel the vibrance of love and what ir brings to the human heart. Life has many moments when the human heart feels pain,disappointment and at times profound sorrow, so it is a great day when all present can basque in the wonder of witnessing such joy. I wish the couple all of the fulfillment that this day promises ,and will raise my glass to the future with all of the hope that they share this day with us..

Years ago like so many others I took to the street to support racial equality and to end the war in Vietnam. I am increasingly aware that it is time to take to the streets again. Our do nothing Congress has completely abdicated their responsibilities to lead, and we are each day stuck in a situation where nothing changes. We have every essential component in this great land to create the greatest era in our history. It is no longer an option to wait for the posturing empty suits who are only interested in being re-elected. I pose the challenge that we start the ball rolling and get a coalition from every part of the political spectrum. This morass is not a conservative or liberal issue it is in the interest of all of us. Dust off your shoes, brush up on your freedom songs and lets take the role of leaders. We will get more done then any of the filibustering that leads to stalemates.

The last election raised the issue of the “takers ” in our society, and there was great debate about people receiving aid from the government. Certainly as with any system  there are abuses but to castigate the weakest in our society with a broad brush is unfair.Many who are in the safety net cannot survive without the assistance provided. As a society we are defined by how we treat the poor, the disabled and those who are out of work and struggling. In these days some of them may be relatives or close friends, but even if they are strangers, they are part of the fabric of our society. In the quest for a sustainable financial future let us not forget the charity and kindness that was promised by the behavior of our predecessors.

I often hear people wistfully talking about the need to return to the “good old days” when life was more simple. Sounds good and I am sure that in those supposedly idyllic times there were some wonderful components. However, there were also societal barriers to many groups that prevented full participation in what we call the”American Dream”.People of color had all sorts of obstacles and women experienced the glass ceilings while sexual preference was considered immoral and at times illegal. We are far from perfect but so many of those barriers have fallen or at least be severely weakened.It is true that today life is more complex, but it is equally true that there has been tremendous growth and a willingness to visit the prejudices of what some still believe were the “good old days. “There are still miles to go ,but someday I believe that we will recognize that these are the real “good old days.”