DO SOMETHING

As we come upon the 2012 Presedential Election, we are forced to take a look at the state of our nation, find the problems (of which there are many) and offer solutions. Certainly the most prominent problem of this election with be the economy - an issue that is not much different than where we were four years ago when obama promised us "hope". It is clear that the american people are still struggling. Businesses are still struggling. and for some reason, its up to the government to fix it. We need lower taxes, on both businesses and the people. Put money back in our pockets. It will give businesses the capability to hire and the people the ability to buy from the businesses, which will in turn get this economy moving. "Then how will the government pay for this massive debt?" you might ask. Because more people will be hired and self sufficient, we'll be able to cut back on the amount of money that goes towards social programs.

now, this is certainly only a little thing, and would be much more complicated to implement than what i have just laid out. what this nation needs is a swift kick in the pants. My generation is a spoiled, entitled bunch that has no idea what it means to work their way up. a piece of paper does not guarantee you your dream job straight out of college. There are jobs out there. I myself have been offered three in the last two days. they're crummy jobs. Jobs i don't want by any means. but IT'S A JOB. take it. get off your butt. and help get this economy moving. We need a president who recognizes this and has no qualms of telling the american people what they need to hear, not what they want to hear. Remember when Kennedy said, "ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country?" yeah, we need that attitude back. cue Mr. President's motivational, ass-kicking speech.

dolphins and little pink books

Why must i always, constantly look to the future? i once heard a friend say that looking forward is just another form of nostalgia - and im prone to agree. It keeps you from recognizing the beauty in the moment now and truly enjoying what life has given you. These past two weeks have been hard. heck, the past six months have been hard and all i have been doing is looking towards whats ahead - grad school, weddings, travels, boyfriend. This dreaming mentality - imagining the greatness that the future may hold - is a sickness that i have always had. And now, I'm sitting in starbucks nursing a latte and listening to music that can only put me in a good mood. The sun is shining. i have a God who loves me. and in this very moment, i am happy. truly happy. maybe this evening will suck and once again, ill find myself hating my job. but for now, i love what i have. and so this is my goal. i will constantly remind myself to live in the moment, to love what i have been blessed with and find myself lacking nothing. for if i keep looking to the horizon, ill miss what is right in front of me, and thats not living.

When i was in high school, my best friend had a little pink book full of things that would make her smile. And while our English teacher would drone on about Macbeth, Paradise Lost and Swift, we would read through that little book, adding to it and  laughing about events that had become inside jokes. It was a brilliant little book. There were things like bright colored crayons, piratical movie nights, snow and the beatles. I think its time i made my own little book. time i lived a life of gratitude. Right now, im looking at little moments, things that make me happy and im beginning to realize that i love my life. Things like frappucinos, the beach, fedora hats, jason mraz, and ice cream will be the first to adorn my pages. just thinking about these things already puts a smile on my face.  yes, i think a little book of things that make me smile is a very good idea indeed.