Get off my lawn!!
What I meant to say is I have some New Year’s Resolution suggestions for you…
New Year’s Eve is coming up and the traditional thing to do is to make resolutions to make your life and hopefully the lives of people around you better. Based on my observations in and around Mitchell, these are some things people should resolve to do in 2022.
Take care of your property: mow your lawn, rake your leaves, shovel your sidewalk and when you shovel clear more than just a goat path so people can actually use the sidewalk. Realize that once a house is freshly painted, it doesn’t last a lifetime.
Don’t litter: this should be a no brainer, its disrespectful and environmentally unfriendly.
Learn to drive: Green lights means “go”. There is no other shade of green, get off of your phone and proceed when the light is green. Don’t slow down for green lights, I realize that some green lights in town count down and then turn immediately yellow while others give you a little time after the count down is completed but while it’s green – GO for crying out loud! Go the speed limit: speeding can be dangerous but so can putt putting along at 10 mph. If you’re not confident driving then don’t drive. The street is not the ideal location for your coffee klatch: I’ve often seen two cars in opposing lanes blocking traffic in town so the drivers can talk to each other blissfully ignoring the cars piling up behind them. I’ve often wished for a tank so I could ram or run over these inconsiderate, arrogant slobs who view their time and convenience as superior to all others in the world. Pull over and get out and talk or make a date to talk later – streets are for conveying traffic and not parking lots. Observe drive-thru etiquette: Is your car allergic to other cars? If not, then why do you leave so much space between your car and the next making it impossible for people behind you to order and the people inside the fast food restaurant to be efficient? Road rage is often seemingly random and inexplicable but if you examine your own driving habits and behavior perhaps all will become clear to you.
Read and understand the Constitution and the Bill of Rights instead of ignorantly spouting off about it: The Constitution gives all Americans rights not just the people who agree with you. The Bill of Rights exists to protect minority and unpopular opinion and is not a weapon to be wielded by the majority to silence opponents or the unpopular. Democracy means your side loses sometimes and sometimes that loss is crushing. Remember there is always the next election, there’s no need to steal this one and turn the country towards authoritarianism and dictatorship in the process.
Resolve to be civil in the coming year: so much of our political discourse is angry, negative and hurtful. We need not be disagreeable to disagree. People misspeak and make mistakes; there is no need to cancel everyone over everything all the time. A little civility, compassion and forgiveness will make life so much better for all of us.
Don’t just talk, do something: so many good things occur in our communities but it seems like the same people are organizing and making them happen so when they get tired of doing them, retire or die those wonderful things just disappear. In Mitchell we used to have the Madrigal Feast, the Tannenbaum Festival and Arts in the Parks for example, all great events that just went away when the folks who put them on got tired of doing it all the time. I’m sure there are other examples as well. If you’re not happy with a school or city policy, make a difference not just some noise. Volunteer, teach Sunday school, deliver Meals on Wheels, engage a mentally handicapped person in conversation – there are so many ways one can make a difference without a large investment of time.
Stop and smell the roses: Modern life is so hectic, kids’ lives are packed with activities from morning to night, work is 24/7 now with texts, emails and other after hours communications – take some “you time”. When you shuffle off this mortal coil you don’t want to regret not having spent more time with your children and family or doing the things you always wanted to do.
Happy New Year!