Accentuate the Positive

I truly admire the youth of our great country. Everywhere I go the positive side of life is being demonstrated by the tenacity and attitudes of our young people. While baby boomers and senior folks are worrying and fretting over current events around the world, the younger generations are working hard and trying to change the things that caused the problems in the first place.

It’s refreshing to know that young, idealistic men and women are replacing the old, senile, life-time politicians who are still the power brokers in our country. None too soon, I might add. Look at Senator Gabrielle Gifford, who was shot in Tucson, Arizona, recently. No one thought she could survive, let alone recover from her head wound. Her courage and determination to return to work are inspiring to say the least. I can’t wait for her to return to office; she is the kind of person we need representing Arizona in the Senate.

I am not saying that our older politicians are all senile and/or corrupt. Governor Jan Brewer of Arizona is a perfect example of what is meant by “public servant.” Her battle to secure the border with Mexico is unpopular to some, but critical for the economical stability of Arizona. She is not only butting heads with a minority illegal immigrant movement, but also with the Federal Government who refuses to enforce immigration laws that are on the books. There is no doubt in any thinking mind that this has to do with votes and that in itself is despicable. Furthermore, I find it unbelievable that we are still fighting in Afghanistan where we now have no real national interests, while Mexican drug cartels are killing American citizens on both sides of the border. It’s time to enforce a “no fly zone” in America!

Our younger generation proves to me that there is still hope for our country and the world as a whole. Do we need to adapt to changing political, economical and environmental landscapes? Yes, but human beings are all about change. That’s how we got here in the first place. We can adapt and continue to strive for changes that can and will resolve the dilemmas we face on our beautiful, blue planet Earth.

Write on,

Mittster

Sustainable Lifestyles

Living with less does not mean we are living less; it simply means we are learning to live within our means. This includes the capability of the planet to sustain our population which is fast outstripping food and energy supplies. I see us going back to a gentler and more serene time when stress was not the leading cause of discord and strife among families.

Call me an idealist or whatever, but take a few moments, stand back and look at your life. If the super-recession has caused you to make do with less, then this is an opportunity to understand that life can be so much more rewarding and happier when you and your loved ones start working together to fulfill your daily needs. This process has a tendency to bring family and friends together in more meaningful ways than if everyone has more than they need and scatter into the wind, only meeting for brief hellos and good-byes.

Did you ever have a situation where you were extremely happy even though you had little extra money and worked very hard to put beans on the table? Times were tough, but times were also good because you appreciated the little things and didn’t worry about the next door neighbor’s new car because your car was paid for and still running good. I know I had those times and unfortunately I didn’t appreciate them. I wanted more money, more prestige, more – more – and more. I actually ended up with less, until I learned that comfortable was better than luxurious and being conservative was not a personality flaw.

I am not saying that this super-recession is all good; we need to grow as a nation and compete in a world market. All I am saying is that conserving our natural resources and living a modest life have maximum rewards. Driving less and walking more is good for your health. We are never too old to ride a bicycle (that’s why they make three-wheelers) to the corner store for that gallon of milk and loaf of bread, instead of firing up the gas hog. Shopping with coupons is so much fun for me that I want to go shopping with my wife. I feel like we are getting even for all the times shopping was an unnecessary extravaganza and we zeroed in on the most expensive items due to advertizing hype. Not any more, baby – let’s see how much money we can save at Bashas’!

Living a modest life can be fun and exciting, knowing that you are doing your part in conserving precious natural resources and leaving a sustainable planet for our children. Unfortunately, we cannot predict what the rest of the world will do, but we can do what is right for our country and set the example. This process takes place in our households and expands to more and more homes through that example. Being happy and smiling is extremely contagious. I guarantee an epidemic of laughter will take over our amazing country, and life will be so much better for all of us.

Write on,

Mittster