2009 Be a Part of History

[TopCat]

2009 promises to be an monumentally exciting, historic year. 2009 promises to be historic for the country, for my people, for the world, and for the global economy. I am excited. Everywhere I look, I see excited people. Question is, are we excited for the same reason(s)?

I see an opportunity. I see a chance for me to personally have a role in change. It would never satisfy me to sit back and watch change from my recliner as others get on the front line and initiate it. It would never satisfy me to get a hotel room in some distant city and be there to watch others as they usher in the policies, programs, and agendas that signal a new direction. I refuse to be just another witness to change. I must be a part of it. I must have a role in it. I must personally be involved in it. I must make a difference.

Since you have obviously read this far, maybe you are wondering, "How can I individually take part in affecting change?"

My answer is pretty uncomplicated. Change begins with a ground swell and grows in proportion until it becomes regional, then national, then global. But it begins on the local level. No... that's not true. It begins on the personal level.

And I contend that all I have to do to affect change is to intiate it personally. I can do simple things like work with my neighbor. Work with neighborhood children. Work with nearby schools and grassroots organizations. And I mean work with them. I don't mean give them a tax deductible donation. I mean give them my time, with no regard for compensation or remuneration. I mean share of myself, my skills, my abilities, and my presence.

If 1 percent of all Americans (roughly 3 million people) gave just 2 minutes of their time per day (approx. 100,000 hours) and used those minutes in the 20,000 (estimated based on 2000 census and growth) cities, towns, villages, and other governing bodies in the United States every day, the result would be roughly 5 hours per day of available service to the aforementioned governing bodies.

Now do the math. The available service expands in quantum multiples with every singluar increase in the percentage of Americans. The combined effort of people, educations, hands-on-knowledge, and determination would be far more valuable than anything any President has ever had enough money and/or approval to put together.

It doesn't take much. All it takes is people who are willing to be part of change instead of witnesses to change. All I know is that the sideline is not for me. I am going to strap on my helmet, get me a set of shoulders pads, and some Air Force Ones (did I say that right?) and get busy making a difference. Peace.