Do you remember the funk song from the seventies, “Tell Me Something Good” Written by Stevie Wonder for the funk band, Rufus & Chaka Kahn? Originally released in 1974. You may remember the song with its noted heavy breathing and throughout. Well, I don’t know about you, but I have been saying frequently lately, “TELL ME SOMETHING GOOD,” as I am tired of all the bad news, hardship and people not getting along. It’s hard to believe that we all are unable to find common ground no matter who we are...
The song had a very unique funk sound to it.
- Regardless of one’s political views, I think we all agree that evil is evil no matter who the victim and who is the perpetrator. And it needs to be met with compassion for a victim and their family and severe consequences for the perpetrator and all others responsible.
- One should be judged by the content of their character, not the color of their skin.” MLKing Jr.
- Every human being deserves to be treated with respect.
- A child deserves to have a childhood.
- God is sovereign and asking for his wisdom is a good thing.
- Everyone deserves, life, liberty & the pursuit of happiness.
- Each person is responsible for their own individual actions and behavior and does not represent others.
- A parent is responsible to teach their child/children how to behave, respect the law, respect others and to respect those in authority.
- Those in authority are held in high regard and should take their role seriously and respectfully.
- Freedom is good thing.
- This still is the land of opportunity., no matter what anyone says.
- Common sense is important.
- A good sense of fiscal responsibility is an important t part of a good education.
- A good education doesn’t necessarily need to be learned exclusively in a classroom or at the college level.
- Everyone should be given a fair and equal opportunity to excel regardless of their background, nor should one be penalized because of their background.
“TELL ME SOMETHING GOOD!” PLEASE!!!!!
“Dr. Fauci testifies before and Pleads the 5th”
“A Father in Michigan Murders Entire Family Sets House on Fire and Commits Suicide”
“NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani Slaps Tax on the Wealthy”
“More Fraud Exposed by Independent Reporter Nick Shirley”
“TSA and ICE Agents Work in Unison at US Airports”
These are headlines from this week and I am sure you could add a handful to the list. This is the second time this week I have had changed a post at the last minute. You see, I had a different post written for today. I was going to talk about all these things we have in common and that it is just a ridiculous illusion that we can’t get along or find common ground as a nation, that evil is evil no matter who the victim is or who the perpetrator is. I decided that once I try to “Convince” the reader or talk them into something, I am conceding that our country is BAD that we are different “Tribes” that everyone in the tribe is just alike, rather than each person being responsible for their own behavior and actions. I know all of these things are true, but when you feel you have to ‘sell’ someone on what is right in front of them, I feel they just need to be able to recognize these things themselves. No trying to convince them will make the situation any better. I’d much rather be part of the solution than the problem.
I am NOT going to do it! Because, I do not believe that our country is BAD. If it were that BAD, then why would people do anything to get here and remember all of the positive feedback from all of those fans here from around the world for the FIFA World Cup just a month or so ago?. Why do people come from all over the world to become a part of what we have HERE?
Having grown up with a Dad who immigrated here from an oppressed country, who regularly shared his experiences and hardships (as well as those of his cousins and fellow Boufchani -people who also came from his small village of BOUF, Macedonia) with us, I realize that I have an advantage that many do not. If you always grew up with plenty of food, a warm bed and an education, and not knowing otherwise, you could be unaware, by NO FAULT OF YOUR OWN, how difficult life is for those in socialist and communist countries. I grew up aware of how fortunate and blessed I was.
So, I’m NOT going to get sucked into negativity.
I am going to be positive. There ARE good, honest and decent people in this world. They are our friends, our neighbors, our church/worship/synagogue members, your dry cleaners, your “People,” and they are all over. Pay attention, appreciate them and let them know how how you value them. Here are just two of the experiences I had yesterday, within a 9-10 hour time span that demonstrates what I’m try to communicate.
Experience #1. Yesterday morning I got in the shower to no hot water. I called our plumber, Jason. He said he would be there late in the day. After a very long day, with a very full schedule, he stopped by. It really was not an emergency as we did have water, we didn’t have a pipe burst or any other water damage problem, but he came. In our experience with Jason and his father, Tom, who he took over for, he doesn’t quit until the job is done, or at least addressed in one way or another. Jason is not the only plumber in town who has that philosophy. There are still people who subscribe to good customer service and a job well done.
Experience #2.
Late this afternoon, I texted a childhood friend of one of our sons. He and his friend, installed a new garage doors a few months back. We had mistakingly got the code messed up so that the garage door would not be open with the designated code we had selected. Totally our error. He was just about ready to leave work. He called right back.
“Hey Mrs. Burau, are you home? We can come right over in about 10 minutes if that works for you.”
“Wow,” I replied. Come on over.” They did and in just a few minutes, job was done.
“Hey. Mrs. Burau, I noticed you have some lights on the opener burned out. If you have some 60 watt light bulbs, we’ll change get them for you,” his friend said.
These young men know the importance of hard work and good. customer service. No doubt, these young men will continue to be successful because they know HOW to treat and value a customer.
“Tell. Me Something Good?” You bet! And I will continue to write essays that entertain and inspire you and your kiddos. YOU should have the opportunity to listen to stories that inspire you to keep being positive, to look at the cup half full.
Why should you listen to new that drags you down that keeps you from being optimistic. I’m not saying to put your head in the sand and pretend that this country is perfect. This IS an imperfect world. If you want perfection, that’s heaven. We do the best we can here, with what we have each and everyday. Most people are good (Did you see that sixteen year old lifeguard in California rescue that young boy this week?!! Wow, watch that if you can, it’s something!) Expect that and trust them to do what is right. We all make mistakes and we learn from them. We are each a work in progress. Are there BAD and evil people in the world? YEP. They need to experience consequences for their actions and victims and their families deserve to be listened and problems need to be addresses when they arise. (We are starting to see this and I believe this will continue.) That’s how we all get better. My husband does not like to watch the news. He often says something like, “I go to work, I see nice people who are just trying to take care of their families, I work with good people, I come home feeling as if I have made a difference and people are good. If I watch the news, it just brings me down or makes me feel like there is no hope.”
Treasure your family, your friends and your neighbors. Treat them with respect and expect it back. You & they deserve NOTHING LESS.
Count on me to ‘Tell You Something Good.” Look at the cup half full each day, and you’ll be surprised how life looks from that perspective...I may even inspire you to say...
It’s a Great Day ❤️
For more good reading, checkout my book, It’s a Great Day To...Gather Around a Table, available here on my website, or where fine books are sold. Previous blog posts and my RECIPES page are also available here for you to read as well 📚
