People Generally Do What They Do for Good, Politicians Included

Today, many of us voted.  Many of us are hopeful about the outcome of several races and issues.  Some of us have invested emotionally, financially, physically in the outcomes.

It's easy to forget that ALL of us want the best for our nation, our states, and our communities.  I've been fortunate to meet several politicians over the years, and, with almost no exception, they all had altruistic aims in their political work.  More than power, or compensation, or lifestyle, politicians become politicians to make a difference.  In fact, some of the best people I've met in politics are no longer politicians.  They gave as much of themselves as they could to public service, until it wasn't worth it anymore.

So, tonight, whether your candidate won, or mine, or one neither of us preferred- I am hopeful.  Hopeful that the men and women who sacrifice to serve in the critical public eye have a desire to do real good in their hearts.  I'm hopeful that if we accept the results with grace and dignity, that we really can make things better than they are now, as a nation, a state, and a community.

Lest I be accused of writing this in response to the outcome, please note that these thoughts were put down well in advance of Election Day.

Chuck Pagano's Speech to The Colts, Nov. 4, 2012

The stories behind sports, are often what make me care about the games themselves.  Here is Chuck Pagano, coach of the Indianapolis Colts, leaving the hospital from receiving leukemia treatments yesterday to encourage his team.  There are people in organizations who, when gone, are "out of sight, out of mind." There are also those whose absence is a encouragement to do better for the day they return.  Pagano is clearly the latter.  If a man fighting leukemia tells you to when him a Lombardi trophy, you better try and win a Lombardi trophy.


Do. Love. Walk.

A verse from Bible study last night that I can't get out of my head:
"He has shown you, O man, what is good;
And what does the Lord require of you
But to do justly,
To love mercy,
And to walk humbly with your God?"
Micah 6:8
In my absent-minded, half-halfheartedness, I can do one, sometimes two, of these, but three out of three, at once, is a hard goal to attain.