Trav's Thoughts

I started a journey about this time three years ago.  Thus the odd post title.  The journey has been going well.  I stumbled a little bit last year, but since that stumble I've figured some stuff out and made some adjustments.  I won't list out the specifics.  The point isn't to talk about the how and the what.

The point is the why.

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.  Last year it snuck up on me and I had some trouble.  This year I've been able to clear my head and get back to my retrospection, leading me to introspection, and thus to my present re-re-re-dedication.

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

I now forge ahead with my 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 forth 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.