Election Lessons
Howdy on this warm Saturday afternoon in NY.
I realized today, as Hillary Clinton formally stepped aside to Barack Obama, that there are so many wonderful lessons we can take from this experience... as boomers and just as human beings.
1. When you really, really want something, you MUST, no matter what, go for it. Hillary has had the dream of running for President since she was a young adult. Obama, although much younger, has had the dream as well. John McCain, from decades past, has always had the desire and even though he was struck down before, he is going for it again.
2. Don't let anyone else try to dissuade you from going after what that is that you want. Don't let anyone burst your bubble. There have been and will always be those folks that tell you all the reasons why it's a bad idea and why you shouldn't go for it. Tell them to go stick their criticism where the sun don't shine -- give them no "buy in."
3. No matter what sex or age you are -- you're a viable person to lead! This is so monumental and yet so clear that I don't need to add to it.
4. When what you want doesn't work out, bow out gracefully! Regardless of whether or not you supported Hillary, she did something that is historic -- the first woman to run on a major platform. How dare people not allow her a few extra days to grieve, pull it together and then, when ready announce her intentions for what's next.
5. Stop criticizing all that is different about people and start acknowledging what we share in common and what we want for the common good. What if we became a nation of people that only acknowledged (even when we don't agree) rather than "tore down" others for how they differed. Could a campaign actually be run that way? What a concept.
6. Be proud to share your opinion and to debate with your friends and family -- everyone is entitled and has the constitutional right to do that. How awesome.
7. We saw the ages come together here and we were on the same page, working together side-by side. This primary attracted more voters than ever and that included many young ones. What if we could bring this inter-generational cooperation to the workplace and to our families. Wow!
Now I'm sure that in days to come, I'll think of many more lessons and applications to boomers, but for now, let me sum it up.
Both Hillary and Obama are boomers -- she had the upper end and he at the bottom end. But, they represent US. We, the 77+million of us are the main folks to vote -- we count. Let's never take that role lightly. Make your voice heard. There is history in the making and we're part of it. We will either have the Oldest man in office ever OR the first Afro-American man in office. It's cool! Boundaries are being broken.
Keep the momentum -- for just a few more months.
I know I'll continue to tire of the debates, the ads that cut each other down, the news being dominated by all this. But, if I can remember that we have the right to select in this process and that I can speak my mind and cast my vote ... I won't complain much.
Have a glorious weekend.
Ann
I realized today, as Hillary Clinton formally stepped aside to Barack Obama, that there are so many wonderful lessons we can take from this experience... as boomers and just as human beings.
1. When you really, really want something, you MUST, no matter what, go for it. Hillary has had the dream of running for President since she was a young adult. Obama, although much younger, has had the dream as well. John McCain, from decades past, has always had the desire and even though he was struck down before, he is going for it again.
2. Don't let anyone else try to dissuade you from going after what that is that you want. Don't let anyone burst your bubble. There have been and will always be those folks that tell you all the reasons why it's a bad idea and why you shouldn't go for it. Tell them to go stick their criticism where the sun don't shine -- give them no "buy in."
3. No matter what sex or age you are -- you're a viable person to lead! This is so monumental and yet so clear that I don't need to add to it.
4. When what you want doesn't work out, bow out gracefully! Regardless of whether or not you supported Hillary, she did something that is historic -- the first woman to run on a major platform. How dare people not allow her a few extra days to grieve, pull it together and then, when ready announce her intentions for what's next.
5. Stop criticizing all that is different about people and start acknowledging what we share in common and what we want for the common good. What if we became a nation of people that only acknowledged (even when we don't agree) rather than "tore down" others for how they differed. Could a campaign actually be run that way? What a concept.
6. Be proud to share your opinion and to debate with your friends and family -- everyone is entitled and has the constitutional right to do that. How awesome.
7. We saw the ages come together here and we were on the same page, working together side-by side. This primary attracted more voters than ever and that included many young ones. What if we could bring this inter-generational cooperation to the workplace and to our families. Wow!
Now I'm sure that in days to come, I'll think of many more lessons and applications to boomers, but for now, let me sum it up.
Both Hillary and Obama are boomers -- she had the upper end and he at the bottom end. But, they represent US. We, the 77+million of us are the main folks to vote -- we count. Let's never take that role lightly. Make your voice heard. There is history in the making and we're part of it. We will either have the Oldest man in office ever OR the first Afro-American man in office. It's cool! Boundaries are being broken.
Keep the momentum -- for just a few more months.
I know I'll continue to tire of the debates, the ads that cut each other down, the news being dominated by all this. But, if I can remember that we have the right to select in this process and that I can speak my mind and cast my vote ... I won't complain much.
Have a glorious weekend.
Ann
Labels: BAby boomers, boomers and politics, presidential election and boomers
posted by Ann Fry, Head Boomer at
2:37 PM
1 Comments
