December 30, 2005
I've never been big on New Year's resolutions. I figure if I can't get it in one bag twelve months out of the year, I'm probably not going to change by challenging myself one day out of the year. This year, however, is different. I'm a hopeless pack rat. I admit it. I hang on to everything. Some of these items I pick up throughout the year. Others are sent to me by listeners of my radio show. Some are heartfelt objects thoughtfully mailed by caring people who know my interests and simply want to thank me for being a part of their daily lives. Those items I cherish and appreciate. Others are clearly self-promotional items meant to advance a particular cause or person. That's fine, too. Some of those I find quite interesting and want to keep while others interest me not in the least. Still, I keep them all. I've had a system in the past of warehousing my keepsakes in plastic containers and storing them in the basement. I even have each item listed on my computer so I can find it when I either need it or want to just reminisce.
Last year, my system failed me. I wasn't able to process the items quickly enough to keep them from taking over my life. Before I could get a handle on them, these items piled up around my office until I was smothering in them. This year, I've embarked on an early Spring-cleaning. Some items will be added to my collection of memorabilia but many will have to either be given away or discarded. I've decided to concentrate on those items that evoke pleasant memories, items I can pull out when I'm feeling discouraged and have them lift my spirits. The rest are just taking up space; clutter, if you will.
As I waded into my office to begin the arduous task of holding each item - each book, each piece of paper, each letter - in my hand, it occurred to me that some of the dispatchers of these items I received needed to do the same thing when it comes to the emotional baggage cluttering up their lives. Some of these items were sent with such venom, not for me, but for those opposed to the cause they've thrown themselves into. I'm not suggesting that there aren't causes worth fighting for. I've certainly championed a few. But, some of these people seem so filled with hatred for the opposition that they lose sight of what's important.
I've never been one capable of holding a grudge. Some consider that one of my weaknesses. I understand there are people who are just as passionate as I am about a particular issue and look at it completely differently from me. That's what makes this country great. We can disagree publicly and fight it out over the issues. In the end, it's those who hold a grudge who lose.
For example, there are those who are consumed with reparations for descendents of slaves. They are consumed with what they consider justice. They want somebody to pay, even though the people who would pay bear none of the responsibility.
Others are consumed with hatred for our president because they think he stole an election over five years ago. They can't get past the fact that he won even though their hatred for him will never change what happened in 2000.