The Soccer Mom Vote

More than a New Year's Resolution

Ironically, I wrote my New Year’s resolution almost three months ago. I didn’t know it at the time, but I was just shy of ten days from finding out I was pregnant with number 2 and suffering the loss of a recent miscarriage. I didn’t know what lay ahead when I decided I wanted to make a change in my life.

Change, I did.

As 2006 begins to close I find myself stuck in several ruts. Work, home, marriage, parenting. Each of these institutions do not equate boredom on their own, nor do they have to emit fumes of dissatisfaction. But we all take time around the end of the year to look back, plan ahead, and make a change and I'm realizing these things need a drastic change.

I started reading the book, “The Beginner's Guide to Changing the World.” It’s a good read filled with religious philosophy, historical facts, and a trip to Tibet. It’s full of those questions that prod me to reconsider my own thinking at home. Am I learning more about the world about me? Am I aware of what consequences our actions as a country create? Do I just feel strongly about a topic or am I informed and challenged and willing to actually do something?

In my reflection I found a lifetime of considering, discussing, nodding and writing while pondering The Big Issues. I always tend to reflect on The Big Topics this time of the year (Is there a God? If so why would Jesus be the only gate open and isn’t that just a bit silly? And what about all those people in Nepal and Tibet and India that have a religion of peace and compassion and love never hurting even an ant?) but I find that I pass up issues that I may actually have the option to do something about. (Stem cell research? Partial Birth Abortions?) Instead, I dig my head in to my daily routine and feel good about the times I ponder these thoughts.

It’s time to make a difference. Most New Year’s resolutions are filled with the “I”. “I will lose ten pounds.” “I want to save money.” “I want to get a promotion.” And, perhaps, these things can benefit others (Hubby would find me so hot at 30 pounds less! Family will have more money if I get paid more!) they are, in fact, mostly local and self withstanding goals only. I need to work on a more global level. I want to make a bigger change. Not just in my pants size but in the world around me, locally, as well as the bigger picture. I want to write my Congressman. I want to actually know who my Congressman is (having just moved to a new location, I honestly couldn’t say who my representatives are. I think I’ll start there.)

What changes do you plan to make? What things have you been pondering lately that you are ready to put “out there?” I’d love to hear from you because honestly, I’ve never kept a New Year’s Resolution to date. This one, I’d like to make my Lifelong Resolution.

*I was also inspired by Elaine's post as well as her write up about it on her blog.

I'll side with the airline

Have you heard about the Muslims who were reportedly kicked off a plane for "praying?" The thing is, they weren't just praying  quietly, like I do every time I'm about to be completely against all natural, physical forces and launched in to the air in a multi-ton vehicle. Instead, witnesses report they were shouting "Allah" and changed seats from their assigned seating to that of the 9/11 terrorist. I understand they are upset and outraged at this "institutional discrimination." But, honey, you can't whisper the word Bomb or Knife on a plane without being taken to jail, regardless of what you're wearing, who you're shouting out praises to and where you sit.

How quickly we forget how banned together we were after 9/11 and the war we are in this very minute. I'd like to see more actions taken to prevent suspicious behavior. And if suspicious means shouting Allah and changing seats to the pattern of those who killed over 2,000 people, then yes, I'm all for it.