Today is Blog Action Day. In celebration, I am going to try to concentrate my posts on changing the things that we have control over. The biggest and most important person each of us has control over is ourselves. As Michael Jackson said, “I’m gonna make a change for once in my life….Gonna make a difference, gonna make it right.”
So how can we make a difference? For one thing, each and every American can vote on November 4th. We’re talking a mere three weeks away, people! In many states, early voting has already begun. So if you are registered (of course you are, right?) get out and vote early to save time on Election Day. There will be long lines on this historic Tuesday, so we want to make everything as efficient as possible. One way to do that is to vote early!
And when you vote, think about the candidates you are voting for. Think about what they stand for, what they support. Don’t just toe the party line and pull the “Democrat” or “Republican” lever. Does she support choice for women? Does he support gay rights? Does she support diplomatic relations with other countries? Does he believe in health care for everyone?
If you live in one of the states with initiatives on the ballot regarding gay marriage, please consider your sisters, brothers, children, friends, and acquaintances who want equal rights. We just want the same rights as everybody else to have legal protection via marriage. Marriage affords many automatic rights to couples, such as inheritance and financial rights, immigration rights, visitation rights, and many others. Why deny people these rights when they love someone? The “family” as Americans see it has changed and evolved over the centuries, and now we are in the 21st century. We embrace interracial couples, we support women working outside the home as well as stay-at-home-dads, let’s continue to support families by making sure that all families enjoy the protections and freedoms that straight families currently do. Vote NO on Proposition 8, Californians (even the Govenator is opposed to this measure)!
We can also strive to be nicer to each other. Let us all help our friends in need. The economy is not the greatest right now, and we may all be facing tough times this holiday season, but if we stick together and support one another, we can do great things! Be nice to your spouse, boyfriend, children, pets, and neighbors. Send a sympathy card or just a “thinking of you” e-mail. Remember our men and women- civilians and military- who are overseas working on behalf of our country. Keep in mind our educators who are here at home teaching our children. Be thankful for the beautiful fall weather and that we live in a country where everyone can vote and has a say in the governmental process. Recycle that Coke can instead of tossing it. Use less energy. Drink more water. Get a mammogram, HIV test, cholesterol test, or other health screening. Donate to your favorite cause. Think positively and reach out to others with a handshake and a smile. When you give a smile, you are guaranteed to get one back. That is a 100% return on your investment. Who can beat that?
When we become better individuals, we make the world a better place simply by being better, because “No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main,” John Donne. So let’s look in the mirror and make a couple of small changes today. I’m going to take my advice from Michael.
