Becoming the Change

We must become the change we want to see in the world. — Mahatma Gandhi

I closed my last post with these same words from Gandhi. Words we have heard in different variations and renditions from many lectures, sermons and speeches. These words resonate with me most because action is most important out of all our hopes, dreams and aspirations.

The element of "hope" and "change" was introduced in the successful presidential campaign of Barack Obama, the first African American President of the United States. His message of "change" is now a possibility since his historic victory.

But as he mentioned in his speech, it's only a chance at change. We must work together to make it happen. No matter who you voted for, if you're Democrat or Republican (or other), red state or blue state, we live in the United States of America. The election is over; we have our next president and it's time to unite.

It's time to unite in prayer and work toward change. My way of working toward change is volunteering. I have slipped in my community service in the past few months, but I'm back in the saddle. I've finally been matched with a mentee through Big Brothers, Big Sisters, reconnecting with friends at Detroit Parent Network, serving on boards and planning committees for non-profits (see links) and availing myself more to my family.

President-Elect Obama was coined "the candidate of change" during the election, and reports have shown that he is hitting the ground running to do what he has promised on the campaign trail. But we can't depend on him to change our destiny, we have to get our houses in order and "become the change we want to see in the world." We now have to be "candidates of change" in our own lives. Get involved and make change happen!

A Case of the Sundays

It's another September Sunday afternoon in the Motor City and you know what that means...Detroit Lions football. Yes, it's time for us hapless homers to turn on the television and watch those delightful Detroit cats compete against a real football team, hoping to the heavens for a win. But wait, these are the Lions, even if they are on top they can, and will, find a way to lose. Trust me.

So those hopes immediately turn into horror, or disinterest as you simulate your own Lions match-up, Madden style. Or, if you are so fortunate (or unfortunate) to have a significant other in your midst, you succumb to her advances and she wins the war of the remote. I'm not too proficient at Madden (I'm one of those RPG/Adventure gamers) and I don't have a woman, so how do I compensate for the lack of bragging rights in the "black and blue division"?

Fantasy Football!

I am new to the phenomenon, myself. But I have already caught the fever. My team roster inlcudes a few of my favorites. So let's see what happens week 2.

Go Lions! Maybe...not!