Watershed Moment or Politics as usual
Tomorrow is another election day and things are still in turmoil.
I see signs that ask “How’s that ‘Change’ going for you?” and “Yes we can!” At times I wonder it the changes that have taken place are really changes at all.
It’s well nigh impossible to assess the true character of a human heart . . . even one’s own. We use words (Oh, so many words!) to describe our selves, our wants, desires, ideals (and imperfections) to others. We go through life “self-characterized”, for the most part. The face we reveal to the world is the face we primp and preen to present. It sounds like a woman thing but it fits our thinking.
Words are our cosmetics.
I don’t really have a problem with that. I believe most of us want to embody our ideals. I believe we humans, for the most part, want to live peaceful, loving, noble lives. We certainly tell ourselves that, often enough. We assure others we are peaceful, honest, loving and noble people.
Then there’s that “Watershed Moment.”
Words are our cosmetics.
I don’t really have a problem with that. I believe most of us want to embody our ideals. I believe we humans, for the most part, want to live peaceful, loving, noble lives. We certainly tell ourselves that, often enough. We assure others we are peaceful, honest, loving and noble people.
Then there’s that “Watershed Moment.”
Wa-ter-shed (noun): 3. turning point
An important period, time, event, or factor that marks a change or division.
In politics we see it just as in our personal lives we have them.
Ah, yes, the “Watershed Moment.”
One never knows when that watershed moment will come. One never knows if there will be just one . . . or many over our lifetime. One can never know one’s future. I’m pretty certain, though, that we will all face at least one true watershed moment in our lives.
It’s easy to be virtuous, when virtue isn’t challenged. It’s easy to be faithful when faith is simply an abstraction. It’s easy to be chaste, when no one’s there to tempt us. It’s easy to sacrifice . . . when that’s your only option. We believe we are who we say we are . . . and all is fine and good . . . until that fateful watershed moment.
A watershed moment demands a decision, compels action.
A watershed moment can’t be bypassed or sugarcoated with words.
A watershed moment demands that we reveal our true selves . . . our essence.
Do I forsake integrity for money (power, sex, whatever)? Do I tend to the needy parent, or tend to my own life? Do I stay or do I go? Do I take responsibility? Do I not?
Oh, those watershed moments! They come without warning. They come when least expected. They ambush us when we are ill-prepared.
A man impregnates a woman. What to do? A hand reaches out for succor or mercy. What to do? Ambition conflicts with another’s dreams. What to do? The vow that’s now crushing you. What to do?
What to do?
In that watershed moment, in the blink of an eye, we reveal our true character. From that moment on, from that decision forward, we are who we demonstrated ourselves to be. From that point on, words no longer define us.
When all is said and done . . . we are what we do.
One never knows when that watershed moment will come. One never knows if there will be just one . . . or many over our lifetime. One can never know one’s future. I’m pretty certain, though, that we will all face at least one true watershed moment in our lives.
It’s easy to be virtuous, when virtue isn’t challenged. It’s easy to be faithful when faith is simply an abstraction. It’s easy to be chaste, when no one’s there to tempt us. It’s easy to sacrifice . . . when that’s your only option. We believe we are who we say we are . . . and all is fine and good . . . until that fateful watershed moment.
A watershed moment demands a decision, compels action.
A watershed moment can’t be bypassed or sugarcoated with words.
A watershed moment demands that we reveal our true selves . . . our essence.
Do I forsake integrity for money (power, sex, whatever)? Do I tend to the needy parent, or tend to my own life? Do I stay or do I go? Do I take responsibility? Do I not?
Oh, those watershed moments! They come without warning. They come when least expected. They ambush us when we are ill-prepared.
A man impregnates a woman. What to do? A hand reaches out for succor or mercy. What to do? Ambition conflicts with another’s dreams. What to do? The vow that’s now crushing you. What to do?
What to do?
In that watershed moment, in the blink of an eye, we reveal our true character. From that moment on, from that decision forward, we are who we demonstrated ourselves to be. From that point on, words no longer define us.
When all is said and done . . . we are what we do.
Shortly there will be a tally of votes cast. Will the storm brewing in our land see clearer skies or will the storm continue to hold the economy or increase the national debt? Time will tell . . . do you see a watershed moment in your future?
Comments