Starting 2012 

- New Year's Resolutions -

 

Lately I have had an enjoyable and educational time talking with not only new people I have been meeting but the ongoing dialogue I have with family and friends as well.  Comments I have received regarding my recent guest appearance on a Kentucky television news show and some of the publicity surrounding the Colorado TV and radio appearances I have made have taught me a lot.  After my book, "PROGRESS IN AMERICA, Redefining The America Dream" was released nationally in August, the dialogue and discussion of disagreement I have had has been not only enjoyable, but also an eye-opening experience for me.

What does what's going on in my personal life have to do with New Year's resolutions?  I'm glad you asked.

First of all, I realize that I am not important.  However, for many of the people I am visiting with, some of the things I have said and am doing are important.  When I receive an email or someone personally tells me that the words I have written or am saying are helpful to them, it is humbling to me.

Through the life I've lived, writing this book and the communication I am having with those who agree or disagree with my ideas, I have seen a strong, motivating and controlling common thread woven through the hearts and minds of many.  That thread is multi-stranded and the material it is made from is composed of bias, prejudice, predisposition, one-sidedness and a propensity for some individuals to not be able to recognize the truth when the truth is handed to them, unwrapped and on a silver platter.  Hopefully, this does not describe you.

As an example, I will describe a recent conversation I had with someone who took issue with some of what she read in my book and in this column.  This particular lady is about my age and has lived her adult life with a very specific political agenda.  As time has seen various political parties change and the definition of political statements from different politicians take on new meanings, this lady has been unable to recognize the change around her.  That's right, I said she is UNABLE to recognize the change.  Why?  Because of that multi-stranded thread that binds her heart and mind to her solitary way of seeing the world around her.  How much of life I believe she is missing.  She was extremely opinionated about our current and past presidents and I asked her what I thought was a simple question: "Could you tell me two decisions past President Bush made and President Obama made that you believe are good and two decisions each of them have made that were either wrong or bad?"  The lady looked at me as if I were speaking a foreign language to her.  Her personal bias would let her only see the negative about one of these men and only see what she perceived as positive about the other.

In my discussion with that lady, I did not attempt to influence her in any way to accept or agree with any of my positions, I only wanted to know her thoughts.  When she left, I was somewhat saddened because I saw in her what I have seen at different levels in so many others I have visited with; the inability or unwillingness to personally do the things they can to make a positive difference in their life.

When I was a teenager my dad encouraged me to look for the things that I disagreed with or things I thought were wrong.  He told me that in looking at the world around me in this way I would learn about life and grow to be a better person.  When I voiced my opinion to him about something I thought was wrong, he required that I also offer to him specifically what I was willing to personally do to make things better.  He told me that we were not going to have a "Pity Party" in our home.  Dad's definition for people holding a Pity Party was when they would complained about an issue but were unwilling to personally involve themselves in helping achieve a different outcome for that issue.

The final result of someone whose life is lived attending a Pity Party is exemplified by the woman I described above.  When a person continues to feed on the negative they perceive in someone else, real or imagined, those negative thoughts can take over an fully control their mind.

When you chose to not attend a Pity Party and you personally take action to right that which you believe is wrong you may not see an immediate impact on our world.  However, you will personally see a change in your day-by-day and moment-by-moment life.  When a person exercises the power of personal responsibility in their life, truth reveals itself and that person can experience real hope that can change their life experience.

What New Year's Resolution do I suggest?  I know that if you resolve to have NO Pity Parties in 2012, that at this time next year your life, the life of your loved ones and our society will be better.

HAPPY NEW YEAR !!

* If you would like to reach me, please send an email to: comments@ProgressInAmerica.com.

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" I know without reservation that a pity party will bring me down just as certainly as I know that seeking valid resolutions will lift me up by providing clarity for my family and myself."

[Nick Streza. PROGRESS IN AMERICA, Redefining The American Dream, (Tate Publishing 2011), page 235]