Today’s writing in a reflection of a quote by Jonathan Kozol an American writer, educator, and activist, best known for his books on public education in the United States. “Pick battles big enough to matter, small enough to win.”
Upon consideration of the recent posts that I have written about Trump it is certainly evident that I am not happy that he is president. But as Trump supporters have stated, “GET OVER IT”, therefore I shall. I have gotten over it and now I plan to “GET WITH IT” and resist the trampling of my rights.
As always, I will respect the office of the president and the notion that we still have a great nation founded on democratic ideals. However, Trump’s insults and derogatory tweets are offensive and his behavior unworthy of my respect. I don’t know Trump as a person so I will not state that I dislike him as a person, but at this time I have difficulty embracing his character.
Upon reading Kozol’s quote it occurred to me that I have neither the resources nor the desire to take on Trump and his politics on the grand stage of American national politics. What I can do is remain true to my principles and core values and remain vigilant within my sphere of influence to make the world that I know a better place.
Every day I can show kindness to my family, friends, neighbors, and even my perceived enemies. Every day I can lend a helping hand to others who need it. Every day I can do something positive as it relates to my environment.
I can volunteer in our public schools, and make a difference in a child’s life. I can provide food and clothing to the homeless. I can contribute to the shelters for the disadvantaged. I can attend neighborhood council meetings and work on local issues. I can become involved with the school board. I can make contributions to the causes and charities that match my sensibilities. I can simply mow my grass, plant a garden and beautify the space that I touch.
I doubt that you will ever see me on the national stage of politics because that is not my ambition. Instead I dream about being part of the grass roots that contributes to the small ripples of change that comes from the base of our humanity. I dream of a deep rooted change that entails the fundamental respect, rights, and freedoms of all persons within our society. Yes this even includes the Donald Trumps of the world.
I shall always remain hopeful that we the people, despite our humanness, can fulfill the dream of our forefather that hoped to establish a more perfect union as stated in the Preamble of the Constitution.
I envision a day when the famous document “Declaration of Independence” is fulfilled. “…We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,…“. And finally I recall the words of our pledge of allegiance which included the words “…liberty and justice for all.”
I hope you have a delightful experience today and every day henceforth.
What is there to say about me? I am not sure if I am typical or not, average or not, smart or not, BUT I think I definitely have a sense of humor. I am an aging baby boomer wondering if I have something to say about the world as I see it.
fillsmusings 
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