This is the time of year when we think about making those New Year’s resolutions — you know, the ones we most likely will not keep.
So I ask you — is it even worth making them?
You’re damn right it is.
And more important — keep them.
I admit that it probably isn’t realistic or even fair to expect anybody to have the ability to commit to a major change in lifestyle, thought, attitude, or practice.
But we really need to try.
Can we realistically expect any politician, for example, to actually follow through on all of those campaign promises/resolutions? As voters, when we decide to support a particular candidate, should those we elect then actually be expected to fulfill those promises by doing what they said they were going to do?
OK, stop chuckling — we know that in today’s political world, keeping those promises would be committing “political suicide.” Fall in with the party line, or else!
Can I get an “Amen” to more resolutions from elected officials at all levels to stop being so damn partisan and vote for constituents, regardless of party dictates? Take your elected job seriously and examine the issues on their merits. Decide what would be in the best interests of taxpayers and residents. Do what is best for the people.
And let’s move this argument to the public arena.
When you walk down the street, say hello to your fellow man or woman. Hold a door for another person. Smile more. Be optimistic. Donate to charities. Volunteer in your community. Say please and thank you. Salute a veteran.
In a couple of words — be kind.
Be the good person that resides in all of us. You can do it.
Stop believing everything you see on social media. We can’t allow ourselves to continue to be manipulated by people who have no agenda other than to drive us all crazy — to make us believe we are living in a world where this false reality has been created.
There is far too much negativity out there, and the people who are filling our lives with it want it that way. We can reject it. We can look at it and decide that we are not going to allow it to fester. We will not embellish this fake world that is being created all around us.
So a new year with a fresh start will be here soon.
It’s way past time for civility to return to the world.
The dictionary defines civility as “civilized conduct, especially — courtesy, politeness. ‘We bemoaned the decline of civility in our politics.’”
What, then, is an example of civility?
We can disagree with each other without resorting to venomous attacks, which are far too often filled with not just disrespect and insult, but with threats as well.
Political discourse is one thing, but thanks to social media, we no longer know what to believe. How do we ever get to the truth on any issue? Neither side can be right all the time.
We really need to resolve this. We need to bring civility back — especially in our elective process. But also in our daily lives as we interact with each other everywhere.
We all have to make the effort to make these days much better.
So who has the solution? Who can lead us out of this dangerous world of fear and hate?
We need a new path soon. We need leadership that will take us to a world where disagreement leads to compromise that leads to resolution that leads to fairness.
So until that day arrives — and I hope it’s soon — I will occasionally fire up that Way Back Machine and travel back to those days when the world was a better place. Even if the trip back is only in my mind.
Back to the days when we walked to school, did homework, and played until dark — outside, not in a room with an electronic device that only required our thumbs. Back to when we played tag and hide and seek and stickball and rode our bikes everywhere, and when we sat on our front porches and listened to a baseball game on a transistor radio.
I want to play pick-up baseball and basketball games with my pals. I want to go to Huber Stadium and root for the Shawnee Indians. I want to feel the relief of making the basketball team and getting a brand new pair of Converse Chuck Taylor High Tops.
I want a Mergo’s hot dog, a pizza from Joe’s, a Red’s sub, a cherry Coke at Rea & Derick, a CMP at Golden Quality, a Mister Softie chocolate malt, a quart of Steg — oops, nix that.
I want to hear my pals yell, “Yo, Billy, come on out.”
Yes, I want it all. I want it to be like that again.
I know it’s a dream. But it’s a dream filled with memories of a better, more tolerant world.
This world we live in today can not sustain itself.
So, let’s start by remembering the good old days of civility.
Start by resolving to be kind to one another.
And stick to it.