It was on my mind to write about our new Governor and Vice Governor and look at their campaign promises and get myself all worked up about “how would it be possible to fulfill them” and get you all worked up about how we are constantly deceived, diverted and ultimately disappointed by politicians and government officials. Then I thought “what’s the point?”, we all know that is what normally happens, so let’s look in another direction.
And that direction is towards the late (and probably) great John F. Kennedy who said “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country”. Are we at the point in our lives when we can do nothing for ourselves? Are we so dependent on governors, bupatis and ministers that life will cease when they disappoint us, either in policy making or implementation? If we are, then yes, we better prepare for some long, hard, depressed and despondent years ahead.
If however we feel we have education, skills, energy and direction, if we have some capital, some land, some determination, and some “grit”, then let’s get on with it. Do your work, do your best, get others to join you, and the transformation can start from the grass roots and eventually grow to a significant and positive movement.
So if you want to be disappointed and angry at the unfulfilled pledges, carry on, you will be. Politicians all over the world make promises to the people to get elected, but make much bigger promises to their political patrons and backers, and those are the ones they have to keep. The ones they make to the electorate are sadly just advertising and public relations. Didn’t you know that? I hear pessimism all around, which inevitably leads to a negative outlook and to negative energy. So I urge you to look to yourself and do the best you can without reference to politicians and their promises. My old pastor once told me “if you want to be happy, just stop reading or watching the news, since unless you can actually influence change, you are making yourself sad for no reason”.
Instead just repeat my favorite prayer: “God give me the strength to change the things I can change, the patience to accept the things I can’t, and the wisdom to know the difference”. My very best wishes for a great future. Your future.
Alistair G. Speirs
