Happy Sunday, Journeyer,

Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu once said, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.”

When I think about this quote I think about taking a step forward, one of hope, excitement and wonder mixed with a little healthy does of the fear of the unknown.

I don’t know where I heard or read this philosophy, but there is a saying in marketing and promotion that goes something like this: “Talk about what you have to offer, not what your opponent doesn’t.”

I usually avoid politics like the plague, but I offer some food for thought and a poetic speech of my own.

One of the things I hate about politics is that it is often the very opposite of this positive approach.

I watched the inauguration news feeds from a a bar stool in a neighborhood tavern where Warren and I helped celebrate a friend’s birthday.

I was sickened to hear that forty-some of our elected officials boycotted this monumental event in history and I implore you to reflect on what might have happened had that occurred on the eve of Former President Obama’s first day in office.

And equally monumental this election event is, for we, this great nation, are still a free country, whose residents still have the right to vote, to live and work as we choose, and to raise our families as we see fit. That makes every single election one of great importance.

Like millions of us worldwide, I loved the magic and wonder that played out in Elizabeth Gilbert’s book Eat, Pray, Love.

And I must admit I was disheartened to see her Instagram post yesterday morning, where she defiled the cover of that beautiful book in some display of…I don’t know…but I do know that “Eat, Pray, Grab Pussy: One President’s Search for Everything” is about everything but love.

Journeyer, like Martin Luther King, Jr, I have a dream:

I dream that one day we will take a million mile march toward one another,

that we will choose to walk our talk,

to seek out the positive in everyone,

for in that place is where we find compromise and faith;

in that place we can strive to be part of a solution;

in that place we fully recognize Human for Human,

flawed, fearful, caring, courageous,

different, yet much the same.

I dream that one day we will take a million mile march toward one another,

that we will choose to be what we want to see,

to model the actions we ask of our factions,

for in that place we find compromise and faith;

in that place we are part of a solution;

in that place we fully recognize Human for Human,

flawed, fearful, caring, courageous,

different, yet much the same.

I dream that one day we will take a million mile march toward one another,

that we will choose to talk about our differences,

with a kindness to our convictions,

for in that place we represent a love from above,

that sees no evil, hears no evil, speaks no evil;

in that place we fully recognize Human for Human,

flawed, fearful, caring, courageous,

different, yet much the same.

I dream that one day we will take a million mile march toward one another,

that we will choose light as our path,

that compromise will fill the void between us,

that we will bring our collective thoughts to the table

with the knowledge that there are always two sides to every story

and there are always things we cannot know;

and in that place we fully recognize Human for Human,

flawed, fearful, caring, courageous,

different, yet much the same.

I dream that one day we will take a million mile march toward one another,

to build ourselves up,

not by putting another down,

but my bringing our best self to the front of the march,

for in that place is where we find compromise and faith;

in that place we can strive to be part of a solution;

in that place we fully recognize Human for Human,

flawed, fearful, caring, courageous,

different, yet much the same.

.

Journeyer, though many referred to Saturday’s march as “peaceful,” those who took Elizabeth Gilbert’s approach to meet bad behavior with bad behavior, a sort of “tit for tat,” are not choosing to act in the true definition of peace…harmony…

As I did not agree with all of Former President Obama’s move, nor all those of our fearless leaders before him, I anticipate I will also have opinions divergent of our current leader, the Former President Elect, now President Donald Trump.

But Journeyer, I believe that if We, The People of These United States are to remain free, we must take one step toward one another with loving actions and kind words.

The very thought of that harmony feeds my happy, as does feeling a little better after missing two days from work due to an upset stomach.

Other happy moments included the soothing effects of steaming mugs of peppermint tea…dancing with friends and going hoarse from belting out lyrics to every genre from Pat Benatar to Blake Shelton.

Meeting new people and serving you, Journeyer. I am honored by each of your stories and a humble witness to the transformations and healing you are experiencing.

Thank you for your courageous step onto your own million mile march to resolution and healing.

Please help spread a little joy by sharing one or more of your happy moments!

Until next time, yours in hope, healing, and happiness,