Mo's Manic Monday - Bounty

Posted: Monday, November 10, 2008 by Travis Cody in
23



Welcome to another Manic Monday with Morgen. Don't forget to cruise by MM HQ at the Manic Monday blog. Today's theme is Bounty.

Last week was historic. It was big and bold and kind of difficult to absorb all at once. Here in the United States we had an historic election result. And then around the world bloggers participated in another amazingly successful Blog Blast for Peace. If you didn't get a chance to post your Peace Globe, or don't know about the movement, you can check it out at Mimi Writes. And you can visit the official Peace Globe Gallery.

So today's bounty comes from an assortment of peace posts that inspired me.

Mojo from Why? What have you learned?

Carver from Carver's Sight or is that Site?

Ferd from The Best Parts

Michelle from Crow's Feet

Robin from Around the Island

Lifecruiser

This Eclectic Life

Lisa from Groggy Froggy

Lee from Tarheel Ramblings

Mary's Writing Nook

Melinda from Life Is All About Balance

Speedcat Hollydale

Laane On the World

Debra from A Printmaker's Blog

I visited more than 240 peace posts. But there were more than 500 bloggers who signed in on two of Mimi's posts. Many signed in on the Nov 6 Dona Nobis Pacem post. And many more signed in on the Sept 10 kick off post.

I wish I had time to visit each of you. But know that I join with you all in hoping and working for peace.

In keeping with my goal to be part of the change and work for an end to the politics of fear and divisiveness, I have sent my Peace Globe to the office of President-Elect Obama. I have done so by going to the website http://www.change.gov/. This is the website for the transition team.

There is a form you can fill out to send an email to the President-Elect, in which you can "share your vision for what America can be, where President-Elect Obama should lead this country". I encourage you to do as I have done. I encourage you to take advantage of the opportunity to write to President-Elect Obama. Use your voice to tell him you are out here.

Speaking to my fellow citizens, whether you voted for him or not, we are all Americans and we need to stop spreading fear and distrust and start looking forward.

I was chatting with a friend yesterday, and she asked me where I thought idealism fit with pessimism and optimism. I said...

Idealism is about reaching as high as you can, even it if seems to be too much.

Pessimism says it is too hard to do any of it and you'll be lucky if you just make it to tomorrow.

Optimism says let's give it a try and see how far we can go.

Then she asked me about realism. And I said that realism is the plan.

Maybe I'm right and maybe I'm wrong. But it's the way I feel. And I am going to do my best to be part of the process and not part of the problems this country faces. So I attached my Peace Globe to my email to President-Elect Obama. I wrote...

My vision is to see the divisiveness end. I'm tired of the politics of fear. I'm tired of asking questions of my leaders and being told that I'm not a real American because I doubt the decisions being made in my name.

Please fix that.



That's a huge challenge. And it won't happen overnight. But I think it's worth the effort.

23 comments:

  1. Cool! Very inspiring, bounteous post! :) By the way... loved your comment on my blog about your blanket smelling like home... your Lady and your mom. Love that you call her your Lady. So great! Thanks for being my blogging friend.

  1. I reckon my own philosophy is a blend of idealism and realism:

    If you don't aim for the moon, you won't get off the ground

    and

    Plan for the worst and hope for the best. Then the surprises are usually nice ones.

  1. Anonymous says:

    Sending Love and Peace to Pam, Mr Tucker and you across the ocean...

  1. Schmoop says:

    As cynical and sarcastic as I am, I am always the perpetual optimist. Good Post, Trav. Cheers!!

  1. Linda says:

    Even though I am probably more of a realist who leans towards pessimism due to way too many disappointments in my life, I would really like to be an optimist when it comes to the direction that our country is going.

    As it is, I am adopting a 'wait and see' attitude and hoping that there is a lot more behind what President-Elect Obama promised other than air. I would love to be blown away by this guy and see clearly that the vision that he has for our country comes to fruition.

  1. Anonymous says:

    Beautiful post, Travis! You're a brilliant man. So, when are you running for prez?! ;)

  1. A lot of good places to visit. I'll try to get around to some of them today but work will probably keep me tied to my desk doing other things for the most part. I appreciate the blog blast for peace and will someday take part. I wasn't able to this year.

  1. This is a wonderful post. I loved your globe, but was really impressed with Shelly's story about the drop of honey at This Eclectic LIfe and seeing the almost 800 peace globes from around the world listed in one place.

  1. Ivanhoe says:

    Just wonderful, Trav :o) I will find a minute and write him as well.

  1. TopChamp says:

    I'll check some of them out asap.

    Not sure what I am - probably not an idealist.

  1. Akelamalu says:

    This is a wonderful post Trav and wouldn't it be great if everyone sent their peaceglobe to President Obama?

  1. Kimmie says:

    Hey Trav!
    This was truly an inspiring post. Love your Peace Globe also. You have such a gift of putting thoughts into words. Thank You for that.
    Hugs,
    Kimmie

  1. Kellykat says:

    Thanks for visiting our peace globe! We appreciate ya.
    -Stryder, Scotchy & Sugar

  1. You, my friend, are a man of powerful words lately.

  1. Most excellent my friend...A grand idea to send your globe to Mr. Obama...

    I have been slow in getting around to all the globes...It is taking longer than I had expected.

  1. what a wonderful post! i will have to check out all the links.

  1. Clancy: Thanks! And I do enjoy meeting new blogging pals.

    Anthony: I'm a realist about somethings, but I like to let the idealist loose a lot more often.

    Sanni: Thank you dear...and right back atcha!

    Matt: You know, that optimism actually does come across pretty clearly.

    Linda: I appreciate your position. But I also encourage you to get involved. You are so fair minded. It's going to take people like you to help mend the divisiveness.

    CWM: Awww shucks!

    Charles: I should have gone with my instinct and made a couple of Peace Globes for you and Lana.

    Jamie: The link didn't work, but I'll search out Shelly's post. Thanks for the tip.

    Ivanhoe: Good for you! Once you get in the habit, it becomes second nature.

    TC: I think you're more of a realist. It's a good way to be.

    Akelamalu: It would be awesome!

    Kimmie: Welcome back dear!

    Kellykat: Thanks!

    Songbird: I appreciate that.

    V: That was the problem I had back in June.

    Merelyme: They are definitely worth checking out.

  1. Trav, once again, I applaud you. I love that you are being so proactive and hands on and that you are spreading this love and open mindedness across our blogosphere.

    Very inspiring, and I, for one appreciate it on behalf of my 6 year old niece who's generation will hopefully be less cynical and more open minded.

  1. Anonymous says:

    Found you over at Bagwine's...I'm glad I did...I'll be back.

  1. yes.... please fix that.

    well done travis. maybe you ought to run for something....

  1. Kanani says:

    The Peace blogging was new to me. Very enjoyable. After all, I found your site!

    Usually, I can find something positive in most situations. I'm a pretty upbeat person. But like anyone else, for whatever reason, I get into a situation that leaves me feeling defensive, depressed or even inferior.

    That's when I have to step back and reflect why I'm feeling that way. Because really, I don't want to lash out. Usually it's because I'm all caught up with myself, can't see things from another person's perspective, missing the real issue at hand. Hence, missing the opportunity to reach out and come to some sort of understanding, or as importantly... the ability to let go. I remember what a teacher once said to me:

    "Positive thoughts create clarity and wisdom."

    Shalom!

  1. Julie says:

    You have a most uncanny way of just tying it all together. My oh my! So happy to know you!

  1. Anonymous says:

    Thanks Travis. Peace to you.