Now that the President has had his go at it…here is what I consider my State of the Union. Here’s how I see us, and our world-today-in the form of questions for all of us.

When did we forget how to meet in the middle? When did one side become so right, and the other so wrong?

When did we forget how to work together? In a world of 24 hour news, with tv talking heads yelling at us–and each other–have we forgotten how to be nice? Did we ever know how to allow someone an opposing point of view without condemning them? I think I remember a time when we did…..but it all seems so cloudy now.

Where did our patience go? If the woman in front of you in the grocery line is using government assistance coupons–do you have to act disgusted because it may take an extra 2 minutes?

Where are our manners? Whats with all the honking and the middle fingers behind the wheel?  If I stop to let a vehicle pull onto the road from a parking lot, does
that mean you have to hit your horn and flip me off? I think not.

When did everyone become SOOO hyper-sensitive that they can no longer “laugh it off?”  We laugh at ourselves and our screwy life every day.  You should try it sometime.  Instead of being “offended” by something someone says-that you’ve probably taken out of context in the first place-try laughing at either the stupidity of the statement, or at the idiot who said it…especially if it’s me.  You’ll feel a lot better.

When did hitting “send” become preferably to one-on-one conversation and interaction?

What ever happened to doing the “right” thing, instead of what was best for us?

When did we lose self control? How is it that a grown adult will scream curse words and hurl vicious names at the top of his lungs AT a youth sporting event?

Where did our pride go? When did we start wanting something for nothing–instead of earning it, or working for it? Where did this sense of self-entitlement come from?
Nobody owes you ANYTHING- so stop laying around waiting for it. Get out there and make it happen by working hard to get it.

At the end of the day, all of us bear responsibility for the world we live in. If not in a global sense, then certainly in a local one. One day at a time. One smile, or handshake at a time. One random act of kindness or understanding. One display of patience or compromise at a time. Just imagine if it catches on.  Then, maybe actually changing the world….doesn’t seem so far out of reach.

Thank you for listening.  God bless us all.

And that’s something you can hang your hat on.