I’m spending the slow time of the Holidays catching up on neglected reading. I just read (or rather re-read) Peggy Noonan’s opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal: Who We (Still) Are…A Little Perspective For The Pessimistic “Age Of The Empty Suit.” It’s a great piece, you should read it.
In reflecting on the article, I agree with her. Despite the litany of bad news from so many sectors, we have so much to look forward to. In the past weeks, I’ve noticed a change in talking to friends, colleagues, and even strangers. I’ve noticed a much greater thoughtfulness. There’s been a shift to living—-behaving within our means.
Somehow, with the New Year, there is a feeling of starting things with a clean slate. We have been living and behaving excessively–not just in how we spend, but in how we behave and treat one another. It has reached extremes. Fortunately (that may sound odd), we have had a giant wake up call. With the New Year, we have the opportunity to start again.
I have the arrogance to name this blog, Making A Difference. I truly believe each person has that opportunity and obligation. Ms. Noonan ends her with a sentence that should inspire each of us to make a difference:
In January we have …..”the return of the person who will take responsibility and lead.”
If each of us accepts this responsibility, we have the intelligence, capability, resources, and desire to emerge better, stronger, more open, and perhaps more compassionate.
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