ON SIGNS AND SNAKES––OOPS, I MEAN STAKES
WHAT JUST HAPPENED
Last evening I notice that these two stakes were all that were left of seven campaign signs. They were on a choice commuter route in the SW corner of Carmel. The property owner had granted permission for those signs, yet they had vanished.
POSSIBLE EXPLANATIONS
1. Vandals.
2. Political opponents.
3. The city of Carmel.
4. All the above?
Whoever is responsible, it’s a sorry substitute for citizenship.
A WINNING RESPONSE
I’d be lying to say I wasn’t angry. But I knew I should control my response, so here’s what I did.
At sunrise this morning, I was at that intersection with the Top of the Ticket: a Trump-Pence sign! No kidding: in an hour-and-45-minutes’ time, thousands and thousands of drivers saw that sign.
But what’s really remarkable is the response: there were waves and smiles and honks galore. I estimate that 49 out of 50 responses were positive. In all my grassroots work over the years, I’ve never seen feedback so affirming (unless it’s from passersby outside an abortion facility).
SUGGESTIONS
1. Don’t be discouraged by the polls (they discredited themselves in 2016, and I doubt that today is any different).
2. Find a way to harness the passion that wells up within you. Do something that is constructive.
3. Remember that people always need encouragement. In meeting others’ needs, you’ll likely restore your spirits, as well.
4. Act out of love for all that is good and true. Even with hostile opponents, a response fueled by love for what is right will restore your spirit and give you joy.
5. If you are a praying person, “pray for your enemies.” You will be delivered from bitterness and may even begin to influence some of them.
THERE’S JOY IN THIS JOURNEY
Find a way to embrace it.