Extra Points: Keeping the Faith

“Well the good old days weren’t always so good, and tomorrow ain’t as bad as it seems…”

The lyrics from the classic Billy Joel song, Keeping the Faith should ring more true today than ever. Social media platforms – specifically Facebook – are filled with people decrying the state of our politics and government. Intelligent, bright people are hurling their own invective aimed at one side or another. The vanity fair platform is littered with op-eds bemoaning that things have never been this bad; that the country has never been so polarized; and incivility is at an all-time low (or high depending on your definition).

Really? Even I’m old enough to remember Watergate, skyrocketing inflation, and nefarious pictures of a philandering Gary Hart that ultimately doomed his presidential bid. None of us will personally remember the vitriolic 1860 presidential election featuring Stephen Douglas and some oaf named Abraham Lincoln. The debates, dialogue, and political cartoons mocking both men might actually make Donald Trump wince. In fact, it was so acrimonious, that states vowed that they would secede from the union – take their ball and go home – if Lincoln prevailed. He did, and they did.

This country is 240 years old this year. We’ve endured slavery, women’s suffrage, prohibition, mafia battles, and assassinations of our leaders. We’ve had good, bad, and mediocre presidents; leaders that disagreed violently (Washington and Adams virtually hated each other); and global problems that chanced annihilation of countries. Yet, here we are.

The truth is that our country is resilient. We are resilient because regardless of what political party owns the White House or Congress, what individual is Commander in Chief, or who sits on the Supreme Court, we are a people that find a way. The same goes for the good people in Paris and Brussels that are resilient in the wake of unthinkable violence. We as average people are fighters…which makes us more than “ordinary.”

To unleash your potential in life, you can’t allow the world around you to dictate your mindset or create fear. Instead of feeling a sense of dread or blaming others that seemingly are in control, take control yourself. Be opportunistic. Be bold. Be resilient. The alternative stinks. We aren’t much different than the humans who came before us, or who will follow us. The good old days brought with them a lot of violence, discrimination, and enmity. We can control tomorrow and make it better than what it seems…

Quote of the Week:

“All men are equal before fish.”
~ Herbert Hoover