Dear Honey Run Friends,
This recent bitter cold snap has made me, like many of you, hibernate in my house to take refuge from the below zero temperature. During this time of hibernation, I have rediscovered my favorite television show of all time, The West Wing. While binge watching this show I have been re-inspired.
Aaron Sorkin and his writers created a political drama that shows how all Americans want the best for our country, even with our difference of opinions regarding how to get there. This made me reflect on our current tone of politics, and while I am not naïve enough to believe that we are any worse off today than in years past in politics, I am saddened by where our country has progressed.
The issue is not that we have a difference of opinions; the issue is that we are not willing to listen to each other. This is not just poisoning our politics; it is a symptom in our society. We are quick to vilify and accuse and slow to discuss and reason. Why is everyone who disagrees with you a racist, misogynist, or junior Nazi? Could they just be a U.S. Citizen with a different opinion? Why do we all have to agree? The beauty of The United States of America is that we are a melting pot of cultures, races, gender, and ideas. All sides are guilty, and we are all to blame for what we have become.
My prayer for the New Year is that we can find a way to disagree, but while doing so, recognize that the person we are at an impasse with is a living, breathing, citizen of the greatest country on Earth. We are Americans. And yes, we have done horrible things in our past, but we cannot dwell on the past. We use our shared history to learn how to move forward together in the future and build a society that the world envies while not repeating the same mistakes and atrocities.
America is not perfect, but neither is any other country. It is time to build each other up rather than tear down, to lift up rather than destroy. This great experiment is just that, an experiment, and we will either succeed together or implode together. The choice is ours, and each of us can make a difference daily in our actions and words. We all can watch the news on television, allowing these pundits to rile us up, or we can sift through the partisanship, find the truth, and become the loving society that built this prosperous nation for each of us to have this moment in history.
I am excited for what 2018 has to offer, and I am proud to be an American. Join me in changing our society while becoming an example for the world.
Your humble Innkeeper,
Jason
Well said!!! Thank you!!
Great perspective, sir! I’m looking forward to our stay with you this weekend.
Sincerely,
Martin R. Terry
You are not perfect either…but what an as close to possible perfect heartfelt letter which has a tone of respect and common sense…which is sadly seemingly growing extinct or at least endangered. Bless you for sharing what I would desperately hope all people would want! There is “bad” in our world but it truly is far out shadowed (or should i say “out sunshined”?) by tremendous “good”. Sometimes it is obvious, sometimes we need to look for it, but it is always there.
Smile when you don’t feel like it, pray when you are worried, and eat when you are hungry…because here, in America, we are able to do that.
Here’s to a blessed and extremely positive year at Honey Run.
Great post, Jason.
Eloquent, poignant and ‘right on’!! We all should be so inspired and live our lives accordingly.
I, too, am anticipating a good year for 2018. Not only for myself with my personal goals and in moving forward from a three year depression of sorts, but for my friends, family and acquaintances, also.
May we all be open to new things, opportunities & goals to strive for but at the same time, making time to just ‘be’. Reflecting and digesting the many blessings we’re afforded each and every day. Ie: life!
Tony / Wooster