I attended a 2-day, 21-hour track & field coaching certification program last weekend. On the second day, we were treated to Subway sandwiches and Gatorade as we watched some demonstrations out at the track.
They had us attempt a triple jump movement, so I set my drink bottle down and got in line. When finished, I found the orange gatorade, opened it, and took a swig. I was repulsed when I quickly learned that not only was it not my bottle, but it had alcohol in it.
The apparent owner of the spiked gatorade noticed the look on my face & asked if it tasted 'funny.' Repulsed and judgemental, I replied shortly, 'yeah'. Looking back on the incident I realized that I was completely void of compassion. Yes, I was grossed-out. Yes, I believe that coaches are some of the biggest role models for children, and was disgusted by the example he was setting by drinking in broad daylight under that setting.
But what I didn't even think about at the time was what this person must be going through to believe that it was necessary to drink to get through that particular day. I didn't even bother to ask him why he was drinking. It could have been a real opportunity to show care & compassion, but all I could think about was myself. I turned a cold shoulder, and got nowhere. Lesson noted.
Nice to take a shot over the bow at us Republicans…or rather a Constitutional Conservatist if I must be labeled. I’m surprised to find this shot right after the blog about compassion. If I recall my history correctly, the first “economic stimulus” package directly to the people was developed by the Roosevelt administration (a Democrat). This shortly after he pushed an increase in the money supply that caused, as it usually does, a shot term boost to an economy followed by a sharp rise in inflation. This then led to recessionary inflation which was followed by the first “economic stimulus” package directly to the people. This stood in sharp contrast to the Republican Hoover administration during the start of the Great Depression who stated, “Government should not directly aid the people, but insisted instead on “voluntary cooperation” between business and government.” Thus furthering Republican already weak attempt toward a further hold on the presidency. While I am not sure that I am a macroeconomist, like current Fed Chairman Ben Vernake, or an Austrian economic follower, like Ron Paul, I do believe that both sides of the bench have this one wrong and usually both sides do have it incorrect. I really hope someday we can elect a historian as president.
Nice comment, Hana…I couldn’t actually follow through with a shot at Republicans though, due to the fact that I can’t disagree that we are the best people to decide how to spend our own money! I have voted Independent and Democrat in the past, who knows..Republican someday? We can both agree there needs to be some historians closer to the White House!