My Independence Day Parade

Sometimes I feel myself holding back, wondering if what I want to share in my blog will offend someone. That's not a bad thing by any means. But it messes with my impulse for authenticity and my drive for healthy honesty.

As a person who lives very much "out there" (Hello? Have you read Involuntary Joy or some of my blogs?), imagine my surprise at feeling hesitant about sharing how I celebrated the anniversary of our nation's independence. Why would I, the daughter of history teachers who included me in assisting with political campaigns as a child (in fact, my father is even a former Republican candidate for state office), hesitate to share that?

What has become of me? Has our current political climate affected my sensibilities?

I sure hope not. That's why I've determined to hesitate no more. I'm telling what I did to celebrate Independence Day, by golly. You ready?

I marched in an Independence Day parade in Clear Lake, Iowa, on behalf of a candidate that I hope gets to stay in office (that's me with Iowa Governor Chet Culver) and on behalf of another candidate I hope gets to oust an incumbent from office (that's me with Senate candidate Roxanne Conlin, former assistant attorney general for the state of Iowa). And, Sharon Steckman, I'd sure vote to keep you in office if I lived in your district!

I participated politely and respectfully, proud to be part of a country that - for 234 years - has adeptly navigated political changes in leadership by engaging regular citizens in the process.

If you think I hesitated because I didn't want to offend my parents, think again. They might have marched alongside me if we still lived in the same part of the state. The birth of Mark's and my oldest son had many in our family - beginning with us - rethinking our concept of political systems and the way government influences social structures. But that's a topic for a fully different blog. This one is about me exercising my freedom on Independence Day (well, technically, the day after). It's about me, being me.

I walked a parade route and saw people lining the streets in celebration of their country's freedoms. I watched political candidates waving, greeting, and connecting as best they could, and I saw people choosing to respond or not to.

Most people were polite and respectful. Some (very few) were not. But, if citizens choose not to get involved or if they choose to participate in a manner that is not polite and respectful, we might not like it, but that is a celebration of our freedoms as well, isn't it?

That doesn't describe what I did or how I did it, though. So why did I hesitate to post this?

I hope you watch the vlog and see what I saw. I hope you spend a few minutes walking along with me. We live in a beautiful country. Incredibly beautiful. Comprised of citizens of every make and manner. I'm glad anyone chooses to sacrifice his or her own time and personal dreams to navigate the political system into office. It's not an easy path. And I hope the only ones who choose to navigate such a path do so for all the best reasons: to serve the citizens of the city, county, state or country they love.

It's my Iowa. It's my America. How beautiful.

Lessons My Son and I Need to Learn

I spoke at a Friends and Family Recognition Dinner at Opportunity Village in Clear Lake, Iowa, today. What a wonderful place with wonderful staff, volunteers and financial supporters.

Mark and I are deeply grateful for the services Stross receives through them. It's clear that those connected to the Village value and respect each person who is benefitting from their services.

Afterward, a man asked if I had the "five things" I mentioned in my speech written within the pages of Involuntary Joy. I don't. He reassured me that he had them written on his napkin and then showed me precisely that.

In case anyone else finds them worth noting -- either on a napkin or something else -- here are the five life lessons I am aware that both Stross and I need to keep working on:

1 - Brief encounters are deceiving: Don't judge anyone by what you see-or even hear. Get to know them and accept them for who they are. They are using the skills and abilities they've developed to this point, just like you are. No one's farther down the path - just on a journey different than yours. You should look for the life lessons they can teach you as you continue on your own life's course.

2 - Focus on your abilities and what you can do, not what you cannot. Abilities are the starting point for possibilities. They just are.

3 - Ask for help when in need. This one works best when you've gotten fairly good at #2. Others can help you accomplish things that may seem overwhelming on your own. It's not a sign of weakness to ask for help. On the contrary: It's wisdom at work. Empowerment begins when you facilitate accommodations that can help you overcome things in your path. Don't be satisfied to stay in one place if someone else can help you maneuver a bit farther down the road.

4 - Embrace a way of living and doing that works for you. Your life and how you live it needs to be as unique as you are. This may mean redefining things you used to take for granted: Who comprises family, what measures success, how you regard faith. Something happened that caused your world to feel a bit upside down. It makes sense you'll have gained a new perspective on a lot of things because of that.

5 - Look for joy in the midst of it all - it's there. It really is. Holocaust survivors attest to this truth. Even victims of other horrendous crimes have discovered this truth on their way back from despair. Life is amazing and deeply beautiful. Your life is no exception.

I think everyone has something or someone they can look to as a "joy compass." It's my deep prayer that you find yours. Mine is named Stross. I'll forever be grateful for the lessons he brings my way, even if involuntarily so.