Re-re-dedicating

Posted: Tuesday, September 04, 2012 by Travis Cody in
9

I started a journey about this time two years ago.  Thus the odd post title.  The journey derailed just a bit over the last couple of months.  Sometimes that happens.  We lose track of the path.  There are a lot of things that I can do better.  And I will.

Today I re-re-dedicate to the dedication I put into words on 9 September 2010.

This is always a tough time of year for me, as we approach the commemoration of the terrorist attacks of 11 Sept 2001.  I can feel it coming as August turns to September.  This year, it started early and I didn't recognize what was happening.  My mind started to shut down and I became distant.  As each day passes now, I find more retrospection, leading me to introspection, and finally again to a new dedication.

Dedication:  The act of binding oneself, intellectually or emotionally, to a course of action.

I am now returning to this list of things to do, with intent.

  • I'm a kind person.  I like the way being kind makes me feel.  So I shall re-dedicate myself to being kind.
  • I believe that when one is denied the inalienable rights set for the in the Declaration of Independence...life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness...then those rights become meaningless for all.  So I shall re-dedicate myself to advocating for equal rights for all.
  • I was taught that there is honor in service itself, not in the type of service.  So I shall re-dedicate myself to serving in the way that seems best to me.
  • I was taught that knowledge is power.  So I shall re-dedicate myself to learning all kinds of things.
  • I realize that spirituality is a uniquely personal thing, and I understand that not all faiths and forms of spirituality easily stand side by side, and that some may reject any form of faith or spirituality.  So I shall re-dedicate myself to respecting the faith and spirituality, or lack thereof, of all.
  • I believe that hate and prejudice are learned behaviors, mainly based in ignorance and fear.  So I shall re-dedicate myself to becoming more aware of my prejudices, to understanding the root causes of them, and to overcoming and eliminating them.
  • I was taught that I am responsible for my actions, my words, and my choices.  So I shall re-dedicate myself to positive actions, positive words, and positive choices.  I shall own them all.
  • I believe that diversity need not be divisive.  So I shall re-dedicate myself to the celebration of infinite diversity in infinite combination.
I'm not perfect.  I'm an idealist.  I strive to be the best person I can be.  And periodically, I need reminders that being a good person requires patience and persistence.

How about joining me with your own dedicated journey?

9 comments:

  1. Barb says:

    As you may have noticed, I love taking a few moments out of every day to sit and ponder a quote. One of my favorites, which probably comes to mind at least once a day, is:

    “The greatest way to live with honor in this world is to be what we pretend to be.”
    ― Socrates

  1. Well said, Travis. I admire your dedication and renewal to being a better person. I agree with you on all points. I strive everday to be more understanding and kind, but some days it's just harder to take the high path.

    With that in mind, I dedicate myself to being a better me.

  1. I had an argument/debate with a friend of mine once in which he said that the world is unfair and we should just get used to it. my response was that of course the world was unfair but it was my job to strive to see it be as fair as I could make it. We had to agree to disagree.

  1. I really like the way you think Trav..it reminds me of a real good friend of mine, Noe Noe Girl. Another awesome post and yes..I will join you!
    <><

  1. Jean(ie) says:

    I re-dedicate myself to be kinder. I'm not kind enough.

  1. Anonymous says:

    Good reflection, Trav. May it be so. Peace. GGG

  1. Linda says:

    Considering the way things have been going at work lately and me thinking that I need to try to be more understanding and kind, your timing really could not have been better. I just need to find a better way to deal with the stress that work has been lately and remember that there are others around me who don't need to hear me mumbling to myself about trying to shove way too many calls into way too few ambulances. My stress doesn't need to become their stress so I'm going to dedicate myself to trying to keep it better under control and be nice to those around me even if I'm ready to pull my hair out.

    Wish me luck!

  1. Ivanhoe says:

    I'm learning to be more patient. I practiced today sitting in traffic. Did not blow up once :)

  1. TopChamp says:

    Yes. I will strive to do all these things with you - to behave in this way with you.

    I forgot to share a moving Brownie moment. I must now blog. Ah.