Although today's headlines run the gamut of reactions to last night's State of the Union address by President Obama, I only had one: do something. See, it's easy for people to talk a good game, but at the end of the day, if all you have done is talked and a game is never played, what did you do? The President briefly outlined some of the major issues that have been on the table without resolve, and whether his audience rose and applauded his points or sat back and smirked in indignation, every person in that room with an elected title is responsible for putting their personal agendas aside and working together to come up with solutions for this country. As the President said, that's what they were chosen to do. The name-calling, finger-pointing and arm-folding needs to cease; these are schoolyard behaviors that we simply don't have time for anymore. We are being outpaced across the globe in the areas of technology, science and engineering. Our students are not being challenged to face their fears of mathematics and numbers. And because cultural and creative pursuits are not highly valued in this country (art is usually the first "extra" program cut first in schools, if it even existed at all), our kids lack in those areas as well. It only takes one trip abroad to recognize that just about everyone speaks English in addition to their native language. Americans are not largely similarly armed with such skills.
So what I heard, was the question, "what are we doing?" The heritage of this country is immersed in ingenuity and invention; the way things came to be simply out of necessity and a commitment to find solutions. The Wright Brothers. Edison. President Obama referenced Russia's Sputnik effort in the race to outer space, and how the U.S. responded with the NASA space program, which eventually in 1969 put the first man on the moon, Neil Armstrong -- an American.
The President went on to use the reference by stating, that this time, now, is our generation's Sputnik moment. What solutions will we come up with? What challenges will we face to overcome and bring positive change and pride to this nation? How will each of us contribute to the effort to make this country a more livable place for all citizens? Where is that drive and tenacity that put America on the map as an economic superpower, a country to where the world flocks to attend its' institutions of higher learning and work in its' thriving enterprises?
Answers, comments and criticism can come from various places, and that stream will always flow. But, like the President, I'm focused on action, tired of all the talk. Talkers talk. Where are the doers? I don't really care who likes whom in the room, don't care who they sit next to or applaud. Do your job. You weren't elected to join a glorified gang, and hang out with the homies who think most like you. Do that on your own time. Step back and look at the greater good, the bigger picture, and recognize your place in that portrait, and what you can contribute.
In short, sh*t or get off the pot.
And I recognize that I need to do same for self. What am I doing? Is it what serves me best, my personal "country?" Am I governing myself by the laws I established for my well-being, or am I allowing them to be compromised by others and even my own thoughts? Have I been all-talk-no-action?
President Obama concluded his address last night by declaring, "we do big things." I think he purposely left it open for the legacy of this House, this Congress, this government to be further defined from this moment forward. It's easy to be held to small stature: continued bickering, divisiveness and failure to produce results. He urged them to think larger, act with expanded focus and intent. Today, I received news that has left me with a similar challenge. I have decided my Defining Moment is now; I will be no one's opinion (not even my own), but instead a series of actions that one can examine as my body of work, and it will speak for itself. I, too, do big things. You can too.
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Do Something...Big Things Start Small
more opportunities to get involved with your children, your communities, your country:
GirlsInc.org - inspire a girl to be strong, smart and bold
BBBSA.org - donate money or time to help a child reach his or her potential
HabitatforHumanity.org - break the cycle of poverty and help bring to life the dream of home ownership
Kickstarter.org - help fund creative pursuits by people just like you, and access their public projects in return
DressforSuccess.org - boost the confidence of a woman entering the workforce
