No Politics Today, Just Some Worthy Thoughts And Deeds For 2012

This week starts, what is hopefully, a better year than what most Americans struggled through in 2011. Many of the things that affected us and our families in 2011 were out of our control.

Unfortunately, those people in the country that had some control and power to positively affect our lives, failed miserably again to do so in 2011. From botched economic policies and programs to sky high national debt to an inconsistent and ineffective foreign policy to selfish and corruptible politicians, our political class continued to under perform but over enrich themselves in 2011.

But there are some positive things that each of us can do in our own, local lives, in 2012 independent of the corruption and incompetency in Washington and the state capitals around the country. These actions would likely make 2012 a better year and improve the lives of people around us. I realized this was possible when I read an article from the December 9, 2011 issue of The Week magazine.

The article highlighted excerpts from a book by Joseph Galliano, "Dear Me - A Letter To My 16 Year Old Self." The author asked famous people to write a letter that would be addressed to themselves at the age of 16. Interesting concept and very interesting reading. The article contained the letters written by Stephen King, Suze Orman, Alice Cooper, and others.

However, the best advice was in a letter actor James Woods wrote to his 16 year old self. I present it here and ask you to imagine how much better 2012 can be if we all took his advice:

Treat everyone with respect and demand it of them as well. If someone abuses you more than once, you deserve it.

Call someone in your family every day of your life. You may think it is tedious to do so, but a time will come when you would give your life to make that call one more time.

Hug your mother often and tell her how much you love her.

Do good work and do it because it is a gift to the world. No matter how inconsequential others may feel about the value of your contribution, it is the giving that matters. The surprise here will be that the beneficiary who gains the most when you give is you.

Be proud but humble. Be strong but caring. Listen more than you may be inclined to do. Talk less.

It is okay to fall, but not okay to stay on the ground.

Cherish the dead you once loved so carelessly. They still live in your heart.

Make the world a better place for those around you in 2012. Be tolerant of those around you that have a different opinion, they have a right to their opinion regardless of what our politicians tell you. If we all you do these few simple things, listen, be tolerant, shut up, be caring, hug our moms, work hard, fight through adversity, we all win in 2012 in spite of the politicians.