Are You Lost?

Warning – this week’s blog may get a little political.

Oprah gets a 10.  Ellen DeGeneres gets a 10.  Mother Theresa gets a 10.  On a scale of 1 through 10 on the role model scale, these women are perfect tens for me.  Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama, however, gets a 25! I was blown away by her impassioned speech this week about the path our nation has taken in this electoral race (as well as the immoral Republican nominee).  In a dichotomous, triumphant display, Michelle Obama reminded America that we need to reprioritize our lives and make integrity a priority.  Her delivery impressed me.  She was powerful, yet kind; bold, yet gracious; emotional, yet strong.  Michelle Obama holds herself to  the highest standards of morality and will not stand for less from those around her.  We could all use a reminder to do the same.

Growing up, I do not remember our nation as such a hateful, misogynistic, selfish place.  We had higher standards for ourselves.  We said please and thank you.  We wrote letters in appreciation of a gift or gesture and remembered birthdays without emojis.  Our neighbors and extended families were sometimes one in the same.  We lived in homes, build on a foundation of stability and pride, rather than overextending ourselves with boats, vacation homes and sub-zero appliances. We had no credit card debt.  We took pride in our patriotism, our families and even our appearance.  There was actually a time when people flew on airplanes dressed in their best attire, instead of footie pajamas.  I think you get my point…we have lost our way.

We have grown into an oversexualized nation, where one’s appearance is held in higher regard than intelligence.  We communicate with fingers and electronics instead of eye contact and emotion. We help ourselves before helping others.  Doing the right thing and living a purposeful,  generous life is overlooked for the here and now.  I love it when our FLOTUS says “when they go low, we go high.”  Remind those around us and  BE the example. I am “simply positive” that if you are reading this blog, you are the example.   We owe it to ourselves and the the world we live in to do and be our best selves.

Your homework this week is to evaluate your moral compass.  Does it need a little tweaking?  If this were your last few minutes on this earth, would you feel proud of the way you’ve lived?  Think about your character.  Would you be a role model?  How do you interact with those that are “living below the standards of human decency.” Is it an opportunity to show compassion, educate or lead the way to better behavior? I am positive we all can do better, starting now.