eight

happiness begins with facing life with a smile and a wink.

I attended a meeting this morning where a group gathered to better relations between a local university and the community. the goal to make our smallish city a college town. right now we are a town with a college. for decades the two have politely mingled but always stayed fairly separate. there is a definite disconnect between the two twains. the university has much to offer the community. culture. sports. art. education. the city has much to offer the students, faculty and administration. win-win.

a panel discussion comprised of students and faculty addressed the 50-odd attendees. some good points were made. create a more welcoming environment for the students. inform the campus population of special events and happenings. offer more convenient business hours and specials to students. establish walking and/or bike paths between campus and the historic downtown. all noble suggestions. ideas that accommodate student, staff and the general public. good for the city and good for the university. everyone benefits. and everyone is in agreement.

problem solved.

I smile. I wink. my stomach knots. not to be sarcastic. but i’ve heard the tune before. same lyrics. different vocalists. with each new generation of student and business leaders the same suggestions are made. all are in agreement. and somehow. somewhere. somewhy. the issues still exist. the key to it all is as simple as solving the problems of the world. communication. how hard can that be? we can all work together. for the common good. stand proud on that soapbox. shout from the highest point. we can do it. all we have to do is listen and work together. never never never give up!

let me be the first to sing the praises of the plan. let everyone join in on the chorus. repeat I am part of the solution. tell me how to help. give me a task. but it needs to be more than talk. if not it becomes rhetoric. worse yet, apathy and frustration. and where does that lead? nowheresville. and we’ve spent too much time in that town already.

it is a basic need, happiness. key to survival. essential to co-existence. easy. challenging. oh so accomplishable. it is a beginning. optimistic? idealistic? you bet.let’s go!

peace.