No Time for Half Full.

Each day we are innundated with dire statistics about recession, joblessness, housing crises and financial mayhem.

Retirees are panicking. Parents are agonizing about their childrens’ future. Everyday people are convinced they’ve seem their best days.

The ‘news’ is relentlessly dedicated to delivering fear, pessimism, helplessness and hopelessness.

In the midst of all that how can we possibly envision a better future?

Even more audacious, how dare we flirt with optimism?

My question is, how dare we not?

In fact, it is urgent that we find ways to express our belief in and dedication to our healthy future.

That we dig deep for courage and determination to thwart those who would try to convince us of our powerlessness.

To participate in and demand that we revive our national self-confidence.

That is the only remedy for what currently ails us and we can not afford one further second of delay.

Instead of daily hand-wringing, let’s busy ourselves with taking our own individual and cooperative steps towards improvement.

Understanding what our part is in the picture we see.

Surrounding ourselves with potent reminders of what we must do to change things we don’t want in our lives.

“It is our attitude at the beginning of a difficult task which, more than anything else, will affect it’s successul outcome.” William James.

Believing in what Margaret Mead said, “Never underestimate the power of a small group of people to change the world. In fact, it is the only way it ever has.”

And, without prejudice, accepting our responsiblity in making our future better than it is today – ”…united there is little we cannot do in a host of cooperative ventures…”

Seeking out those thoughts and activities that will enhance our lives – if only in the moment.

Living in the philosophy of Chinese poet, Bei Dao, who said, ”I’ve always believed my best poem should be the next one.”

Finding innovation, imaginative and life-giving ways to manage the changes we see. Looking past our own individual lives to those around us. Not for company or validation or for what we can get from them. But, what we can give – and – thus collectively gain.

This is not the time for half-full. It is THE time for 100% belief in and movement towards a better – however different – future.

Join me in finding not only yours and mine – but ours.